Big Data saves the world??

By |2020-03-19T22:45:38+00:00October 24th, 2015|

The World Productivity Congress is proving to be very interesting. Just before the event I read an article by Robert Gordon about the state of US productivity, the gist of which was that the major innovations of the period 1870-1970 fuelled productivity growth but now we have 'used them up' and productivity is stagnating, compounded

17th World Productivity Congress, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (2015)

By |2020-11-12T20:36:55+00:00October 22nd, 2015|

Big Data Analytics for Productivity Date: 19th-22nd October 2015 This Congress was run in partnership with the Big Data conference from October 19-22, 2015 on the theme of Big Data Analytics for Productivity. Programme   Former Chairman of the Chinese Association of Productivity Science - Wang Maolin   Chinese Association for Productivity Science

Big Data for Productivity: Everything Changes

By |2020-11-05T14:57:40+00:00October 21st, 2015|

The theme for the XVIIth Congress held in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 19th – 21st October was Big Data for Productivity: Everything Changes. The Congress was held in partnership with the Big Data Congress and was a big success - importantly establishing the productivity impact of Big Data ... but recognising the context

Listening … and learning

By |2020-03-19T22:45:38+00:00October 17th, 2015|

I am in Halifax (Nova Scotia) for the World Productivity Congress (being held in partnership with the Big Data Conference). This gives me 2 (well, at least 2) opportunities. Firstly, I can meet up with old friends and contacts and find out about developments in the field of productivity across the globe.  This is always

Core strategy or nice to have?

By |2020-03-19T22:45:38+00:00October 10th, 2015|

The World Confederation of Productivity Science promotes the concept of SEE - Social, Environmental & Economic Productivities - suggesting that long-term business sustainability and success  comes from  addressing all three.  Some have claimed that this is another 'take' on the concept of corporate social responsibility but the WCPS ' view is that CSR is an

This is the only productivity blog you need!

By |2020-03-19T22:45:38+00:00October 3rd, 2015|

I was browsing some 'productivity blogs' earlier this week - I use the inverted commas because many of them use the word 'hack - or lifehacks - only using the word 'productivity in the strapline or description. One of them offered to remind me when to breathe to maintain my zen-like state - but I've

Double benefts

By |2020-03-19T22:45:38+00:00September 26th, 2015|

Japan has a new government initiative to boost the adoption of intelligent machines and robots - as part of a drive to improve industrial productivity.  However, this has other benefits as well. Mechanised workplaces are generally more suitable for female workers and for workers with disabilities - so improving automation supports greater workforce diversity ..

If Music Be …

By |2020-03-19T22:45:38+00:00September 19th, 2015|

Companies have long used music to set rhythm for production lines - and to boost morale of employees.  Now a new study by the University of Illinois confirms that people do respond - positively in productivity terms - to music They suggest however that instrumentals are best - words can  interfere with language "tasks" which are part

Structure

By |2020-03-19T22:45:38+00:00September 12th, 2015|

On the Internet, you get lots of tips about productivity - and what are called ' productivity hacks' (really just more tips). However you and I know that what brings about higher productivity is structure - to organisations, systems, processes, working methods - structure based on an analysis of need and then an identification of

Climate change – need for crop redesign?

By |2020-03-19T22:45:38+00:00September 5th, 2015|

Is climate change happening? Yes. Is it man's fault - down to greenhouse 'emissions'? Possibly. It does not matter what the cause is - we have to accept it is happening. There are lots of implications - some of them potentially catastrophic. Some parts of the world that are currently the world's bread (or fruit)

Go to Top