Enterprise Nation

David Sandy of Integreat Media is suggesting we spend 5 minutes each day learning a little about something of which we don’t know a lot. He says it’s a great way to enhance the work you’re doing, without big commitment.

Learn a little: Know a lot!

Give yourself a maximum of 5 minute break (be strict - and avoid spending it checking your social e-mails or networking sites!) from what you're working on every few hours and: 

• Pick a topic related to your business that you know nothing about
• Your mission: to try and find out as much as you can about it in the time!
• Use the Internet, newspapers, magazines, phone and the people and things around you to do so.

You might find that after the 5 minutes you don't know a great deal more than when you started, but chances are that you will know a little more at least. If the topic has tingled your taste buds then, when the next breaks comes round find out a bit more on the same topic and continue to do so until you feel you've exhausted your interest in that area - then move on to something new you don't know anything about!

 "I don't know what I could know though! Where do I start?" I hear you cry! How about; how to write a press release, vehicle signage, customer demographics in your area or understanding tax - just for starters?

If you are still unsure about which direction to expand your knowledge in do a Google search for "business forums" and simply browse a couple of threads that instantly catch your eye. You might in turn pick out a couple of phrases, words or ideas that you can start to investigate during your next 5 minutes.

You'll be surprised how quickly the little snippets of information start to fit together in your mind without you even realising it. Over a period of a week or so you will start find that in the natural course of your day your mind starts to engage with some of the knowledge and ideas you have learnt about and they will start to enhance the core work you are doing.

Give it a go and see what knowledge you can invoke in yourself.

• David Sandy, Integreat Media