Blog2020-11-04T19:42:16+00:00

Do it Early!

By |June 23rd, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

I think it was Mark Twain who one said that eating a live frog early every morning means you know the worst is behind you and you can get on with your day with confidence. 

Whose fault?

By |June 16th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

We have seen lots of talk over the last few years by various governments about the need for more sustainable development - and less dependence on fossil fuels. Yet, the rise in the use of

Yes, but how?

By |June 9th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

All nations want to increase their productivity.  This makes them more competitive, brings rewards for citizens and allows society to develop. The problem is that no-one is quite sure how it can be achieved. There

Who SHOULD do it?

By |June 2nd, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Several years ago, Peter Drucker noted that if most organisations increased their productivity by 10% it would double their profits.   At that time, 10% seemed achievable.  Now, firms are lucky to achieve 5% - and

Why aren’t they more innovative?

By |May 26th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

We hold innovative firms up to the light- as rare, glorious examples. Most organisations have a number of creative people - whether or not in avowedly creative roles. When these creative people come up with

India’s difficult task

By |May 19th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

India is often cited as the next major economic powerhouse - perhaps even overtaking China.  This is based on India's recent record in moving up the international GDP league. However, look just below the surface

Coaching or consultancy

By |May 12th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Coaching has become 'fashionable - the number of business coaches has multiplied dramatically over the last 10 years. However many of thee coaches are 'consultants' under a different name. What is the difference? Well, a

Don’t waste time with new staff

By |May 5th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Careers have been changing for some time. More and more people have portfolio careers, switching industries, roles and employers frequently to fit in with a more flexible lifestyle and give a better work-life balance. This

Not tariff-ic!

By |April 28th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

The US is imposing tariffs on a number of imports - notably steel and aluminium.  The aim is to protect US manufacturing by making foreign goods more expensive - thus making domestic products more competitive. 

Provide a stimulus

By |April 21st, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Sometimes, well-performing organisations move into 'coasting' mode - they know they are good, so they keep doing what they are doing, perhaps taking advantages of new technologies or 'obvious' improvements when they come along, but

Should you control the process – or the costs?

By |April 14th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Business people who come from the product, manufacturing or engineering disciplines have a natural instinct to try to exercise process control to improve efficiency and profits. Those without such a background often aim at controlling

Be creative …. and productive

By |April 7th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

There is some debate about whether a concentration on productivity is bad for creativity.  However this is a fallacy. Over-concentration on quality - and especially compliance - can be bad for productivity, but productivity and

Multitasking doesn’t work

By |March 31st, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Being able to do two things at once might seem like the epitome of efficiency - why waste time doing just one task when you can complete two simultaneously? However, famously there is a belief

Crest of a wave?

By |March 17th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

McKinsey is suggesting that the recent sluggish productivity performance in the developed world might be coming to an end.  We might soon see productivity rises like we did before the economic downturn - of the

Change employment practices – to retain talent.

By |March 10th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

The world of employment has been changing for some time - especially in developed nations.  More people work part-time, change jobs frequently and have multiple jobs and 'portfolio' careers. What are the implications for productivity?

Chicken or Egg?

By |March 3rd, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Do motivated employees create good work and higher productivity?  Yes! But this is a 'What came first? Chicken or egg?' scenario. I would argue that giving employees good work motivates them and leads to higher

Why don’t we do it?

By |February 24th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Recently I was writing some course material on improving innovation and I suggested there that to make people more innovative, you need them engaged and you need to give them freedom to explore. Then I

Is well-being good for business?

By |February 18th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

n the UK, much attention has been focused recently on mental health issues - with a dawning of understanding of the sheer scale - and the growing impact - of various mental health conditions ...

Peru leads the way

By |February 10th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

As Peru prepares to celebrate the 2021 bicentenary of its independence, the government has set itself one major goal: to make Peru a full member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The aim is

Are the workers to blame?

By |February 3rd, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

There has been a debate in Trinidad yesterday about whether workers (and especially their poor attendance) is to blame for low productivity. Trades unions say 'No'. I agree with the unions. In my experience, poor

Listen…

By |January 27th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

I often say that I have built my career on asking stupid questions. Improving productivity is all about asking questions.  Why do we do it like that?  Who is responsible for this?  Why do it

Where next for India?

By |January 20th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

India's economic performance over the last 15 years has been exceptional - matched only by China. But history is not what matters - how is India going to maintain, or even increase - growth over

Work goes where the skills are

By |January 13th, 2018|Categories: Productivity|

Supercar manufacturer McClaren is to create almost 200 jobs in South Yorkshire, UK manufacturing chassis which are currently made in Europe and sent to the UK to form the basis of the assembly process.  Why

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