Too many executive teams are focused on this quarter’s results - the results that will be pored over by stakeholders and analysts, eager for some sign of development, of improving fortunes, of higher profit potential. The problem is that this narrow, short-term view tends to drive out the longer-term thinking that true strategic planning needs.
Digital Transformation (now I notice coded DX) is often cited as the basis of future productivity gains. True .... but working smarter, not harder is. not solely the province of technology. Technology can be a useful transformation catalyst but more important is the questioning of current working systems, processes and methods. If we don’t do
I read an article recently which suggested that forward-thinking companies need to merge their ‘traditional’ Lean practices with newer approaches such as AI. Whilst accepting the principle behind this comment, I think it is a little unfair on ‘Lem’ to suggest that the Lean approach to performance development does not readily accept new ways of
Quite rightly, many productivity gurus (like me) stress the importance of team working, team skills and team motivation in driving high performance. Few important tasks in industry and commerce are completed solely by individuals - they mostly require groups of people to work together in teams …. possibly small teams, possibly large sections or departments of an
Those of you who are regular readers of this blog will know that I am a great believer in looking after the well-being of your employees - making sure they are engaged, fully skilled, motivated and rewarded - if you want high productivity. In general terms, this was perhaps recognised 10 years ago, but the last
Those of you who are regular readers of this blog will know that I am a great believer in looking after the well-being of your employees - making sure they are engaged, fully skilled, motivated and rewarded - if you want high productivity. In general terms, this was perhaps recognised 10 years ago, but the last
The Lean philosophy emphasis a number of factors related to effective and efficient working - one of which is ‘flow’. Materials and information should flow through s process with no barriers or restrictions. What about there ‘flow; of people. ‘Flow ‘ is a term that has been applied to that state where workers are fully
You should always keep your business life separate from your personal and social life. True? On first reading, or first thought, it seems to make sense. However, think of all the times you have: Been bowling with the team Had a business lunch Held an after-hours birthday celebration Played golf with a business contact. Were these
Modern manufacturing or service delivery systems produce lots of opportunities for collecting data which can be used to improve those systems. Many firms have recognised this and have installed a system of key performance indicators (KPIs) which help tell them where things are going well, and, perhaps more importantly, where they are not. However all this data
Volunteering generates a £4.6bn productivity boost to the UK economy each year, new research has found. A study by the think tank Pro Bono Economics, commissioned by the Royal Voluntary Service, estimates the UK benefits from annual productivity gains of more than £4,500 per volunteer working in professional and managerial occupations. The report, called A Pro