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

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

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

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

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 ..

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

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

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)

The Taiwan government is planning to spend NT$36 billion (US$1.12 billon) over the next nine years as part of its Productivity 4.0 project to elevate Taiwan's status in the global supply chain, Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou said recently. Over the period, the government will spend NT$4 billion (US$124.4 million) each year on electronics/information technology, metals,

All companies have limited funds to invest in new projects. (Well, perhaps Apple has all the money it needs.) And this inevitably means that those companies have to prioritise certain projects over others. Unfortunately too many firms seem to concentrate on physical assets -new buildings, new technology, new equipment - and forget about new knowledge