Useful Tool: The Eisenhower Task Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix helps professionals focus on high-value activities rather than distractions. Learn how to prioritise business development tasks for maximum impact.
If you've ever been overwhelmed with your business development 'To Do' list - and frankly, who hasn't? - you could well find yourself chasing [inset: "easy"] opportunities that might not be the 'right' type of business for your practice.
That's why I always suggest you start your day or week by pulling out your Eisenhower Task Matrix!
What is the Eisenhower Task Matrix?
Named after the famous US president and 5-Star General, the Eisenhower Task Matrix (which is also known as the Eisenhower Box or Eisenhower Decision Matrix) (Matrix) is a productivity tool used to help you prioritize your tasks. In this case your business development tasks.
Done right, the Matrix based helps you focus on your most critical business development task(s), while delegating or eliminating less important ones; under the following four quadrants of the Matrix:
Urgent and Important
These are tasks that need to be done immediately as they may have a significant impact on your business development goals/responsibilities.
Example: A tender - that you actually have a chance of winning - with a deadline today!
Not Urgent, but Important
These are tasks that are important to the long-term success of your practice, but don't require immediate action and can be postponed to a later time.
Example: Having coffee with a referrer.
Urgent, but Not Important
These are tasks that need immediate attention, but can be handled by someone else.
Example: Project managing a capability statement response that a Senior Associate can manage.
Not Urgent and Not Important
This is the one we all want to keep, which takes up most of our time, and should actually be referred out - either to another practitioner or you in-house support team, as these tasks are a massive distraction sucking up your time and don’t contribute significantly to your business development goals.
Example: Twitter/X posts!
How this can help!
The goal here is not to identify the 'low hanging fruit', but to spend more time on tasks that are going to give you the greatest Return on your Investment (ROI).
The reality is, you don't have much time in your day/week to be doing business development, so make it count!
Eisenhower Matrix adapted for business development
And so here is my adaption of the Eisenhower Matrix, which I use at the start of every day!
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