Which is the best time of the day to schedule a meeting?

That is one of several hundred questions that Mark Di Vincenzo answers in Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That, and Go There, published by Harper in 2009. Here’s his response:

“At an odd time. That is, schedule a meeting fir 10:10 AM rather than at 10 AM or at 3:35 PM rather than at 3:30 PM. Why? You’ll get employees’ attention. They’re more likely to remember a meeting [and be in time for a meeting] for 10:10 AM, and many people will make more of an effort to arrive on time out of curiosity, if for no other reason. Meetings that start late waste time and money, so many managers have tried this tactic and claim it really works. Meeting tips for managers: 1) Start on time – no matter what. If you don’t, you’ll send the message that it’s OK to be late, and you’ll end up punishing employees who are prompt. 2) Close the door when the meeting begins. That will draw more attention to those who are tardy. Some managers send an even stronger message by locking doors after a meeting begins. 3) Print a meeting agenda and make sure that the most important matters are discussed first. If you don’t, some will think they can skip the beginning of the meeting without missing much of importance. Did you know? Many managers report spending as much as three-fourths of their workdays in meetings. Most of that time, they say, is unproductive.”

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Mark Di Vincenzo was a journalist for 24 years before launching Business Writers Group, a company that completes writing assignments of various kinds for its corporate clients.

When is the best time of the day to fly?

Mark Di Vicenzo

That is one of several hundred questions that Mark Di Vincenzo answers in Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That, and Go There, published by Harper in 2009.

“Noon. Commercial airline pilots will tell you it depends on which airport you’re flying out of, but generally noon is the time when you’ll avoid airport rush hours, which often coincide with workday rush hours. Weather also factors into this. For example, West Coast travelers know morning fog often delays flights, as do afternoon thunderstorms in the East. “You want to be on the ground by two in the afternoon in the summer,” said one pilot who flies east of the Mississippi. Another view: According to a few of the persons who decide to cancel flights for U.S. airlines, evening is best because carriers usually work hard to get planes where they need to be in the morning for the next day’s flight schedule.”

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Mark Di Vincenzo was a journalist for 24 years before launching Business Writers Group, a company that writes for corporate clients.

When is the best time of day to buy shoes?

That is one of several hundred questions that Mark Di Vincenzo answers in Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That, and Go There, published by Harper in 2009.

“Late afternoon. That’s when your feet have swelled and are at their largest size. Buying shoes in the late-afternoon means they’ll fit just fine in the morning when your feet are at their smallest. But more importantly, it means they’ll fit after a full day of being on your feet when you need them to be most comfortable. Shopping tip: Your feet look like they’re the same size, but chances are one is slightly larger than the other. So when you try on shoes, buy the size that fits the larger foot the best. Did you know? Feet can increase in size as you get older. They’re not growing, but tendons and ligaments often get stretched over time. If you haven’t bought shoes in a while, have your feet measured first.”

In fact, have them measured first, period.

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Mark Di Vincenzo was a journalist for 24 years before launching Business Writers Group, a company that completes writing assignments of various kinds for its corporate clients.

Which is the best day of the week to ask for a pay raise?

Mark Di Vicenzo

That is one of several hundred questions that Mark Di Vincenzo answers in Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That, and Go There, published by Harper in 2009.

“Thursday or Friday. We’re most open to negotiation and compromise then because most of us want to finish our workweek with the least amount of conflict. This feeling at the end of the workweek may be preparation for the weekend, when we spend more time with family and friends, getting along with whom is a high priority. Others point out that Fridays also are the best day to give favorable performance reviews, so it you receive one then, ask for a big raise. The worst day? Wednesday. Unpleasantness and surliness tend to peak then, so try to avoid any situation that can lead to conflict. Tips: 1) Don’t ask for a raise during year-end budget planning, when your company is getting audited or when your boss is distracted by pressing matters. Wait for some good news. 2) Keep a file folder that documents your accomplishments [including dates], which you’ll need to rattle off to your boss when you make your case for a heft raise.”

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Mark Di Vincenzo was a journalist for 24 years before launching Business Writers Group, a company that completes writing assignments for its corporate clients.

“Which is the best day to interview for a job?”

Mark Di Vicenzo

That is one of several hundred questions that Mark Di Vincenzo answers in Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That, and Go There, published by Harper in 2009.

“The day after another company has offered you a job. After you receive a job offer, you may be tempted to cancel other scheduled interviews with a company, but that’s the last thing you should do. With a job offer sitting on the table, your confidence couldn’t be higher, and that will help you make a great impression. That confidence and your positive attitude can be worth a lot of money to you when it comes to negotiating a salary and benefits. If you have another offer in hand, you’ll have nothing to lose. Your supreme confidence may cause the hiring manager to offer you a job, but it probably won’t cause him to offer you the most the company is willing to pay you. You’ve got to ask for what you want or else you won’t get it, and you can’t be afraid to ask for more money. Another view: Friday. Many people report being in the best mood and more relaxed at the end of the week, and that can only be a good thing when you’re interviewing.”

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Mark Di Vincenzo was a journalist for 24 years before launching Business Writers Group, a company that completes writing assignments for its corporate clients.