par Sandrine Briatte, M.Sc. eMBA (LinkedIN Profile)
Incubation Coordinator at CRIUCPQ-ULaval and Medtech Coach at Quantino

It’s well known that the daily management of a startup can be challenging with demands coming from all directions. How can you optimize your time while staying focused on your growth objectives? Is it all about reaction or anticipation?

Fortunately, some methods have proven effective, including the 3C method. The “Keep-Stop-Create” approach involves identifying ongoing actions that work well, those that do not meet needs, and those that are missing to achieve your goals. This diagnosis breaks down into four steps:

1. List all tasks precisely.
2. Clearly define your goals in three or four points.
3. Classify tasks into two columns (“Keep” and “Stop”) while keeping your goals in mind.
4. Identify missing tasks in a “Create” column.

Working Smarter, the Key to Success

Not convinced of the usefulness of the 3C method? No time to devote to it? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Am I working in a silo? Doing this exercise as a team will certainly bring the surprise of realizing how many tasks are partially done by several people when one person could handle them efficiently.
• Will I reach my year-end goals if I continue like this? Reviewing your tasks to better direct them allows you to gain in action power. Thus, the targets become clearer.
• What are my organizational skills? Planning your needs in advance means understanding the broader goals of your teams and your company. It is therefore crucial to identify achievable steps together to reach the company’s overall targets.
• Are we developing strong working relationships? Knowing your colleagues’ work helps you understand every cog in the company, respect everyone’s contributions, and avoid disturbing them with trivial questions. Good communication and mutual respect will strengthen your collective efficiency.

Quantino Coach’s Tips

• Take a step back on your skills and identify your limits: Do not hesitate to redefine your tasks, create new ones, and distribute them more wisely over time.
• Reorganize and delegate your tasks appropriately: Entrust some of your responsibilities (which should not be yours) to other team members. By relying on each person’s specific skills, you will improve overall efficiency.
• Maintain your motivation: Keep one to three tasks that you are passionate about. Even if these tasks are not directly related to your role, keeping activities you enjoy and that motivate you can enrich your work and maintain your engagement. This is what can be called the “sparkle” effect in your professional life.

If you want to go even further in optimizing your organizational processes, the Kaizen approach can be implemented with a view to continuous improvement.

Let me know if you need any further assistance!