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 (myth?) that women can mulitask but men cannot - hampered by having a 'one track mind'. In the real world,

We give ourselves a metaphorical 'pat on the back' when we complete another item on our 'to do' list ... and we do the same with our employees. We congratulate them for completing a task or project. What we should congratulate them for is their achievement - or the impact they have made. A teacher,

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 order of 2% per year. Are they right? Only time will tell.  The time is right - but are the

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? One obvious point is that it becomes more important to get people 'up to speed' very quickly - what is

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 productivity. An effective business leader creates good jobs - and engages employees with regard to their role in the organisation. 

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 came across Gallup's new State of the Global Workplace report which suggests that only 15% of employees worldwide are engaged in their

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 ... including the impact on workplace productivity. Now research by Curaiink Healthcare suggest that properly constructed and focused  Employee Assistance Programmes

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 to adopt public policies that meet established OECD standards and provide Peru with an important opportunity to strengthen its institutions and consolidate

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 productivity within an organisation is almost always a 'system or culture failure'. Either work is badly organised or the culture

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 that way? Where should this be done?  Why do we do this at all? However, I have come to realise