Does Time Matter?

By |2023-08-25T09:31:57+00:00August 26th, 2023|

Of course it does! However, concentrating on squeeing every last drop of productive output from each day and multi-tasking to get more done can lead to burnout, to stress and anxiety and to a drop in performance. If this sounds like your existence, then think about what it represents.  Time is managing you, rather than

A Lesson in Communication

By |2023-08-16T08:37:52+00:00August 19th, 2023|

Doug Conant was the CEO of Campbell Soups in 2001 when the company’s business was at  rock bottom due to several organisational issues including a toxic culture. Among the many leadership strategies, Doug adopted, one of them was to engage with each staff member and personally, connect with them. He did something that was unheard of

Balance

By |2023-08-09T08:32:59+00:00August 12th, 2023|

I have talked previously about the need to balance the pursuit of efficiency with a need for resilience - we need to be able to cope with supply chain, labour or other problems. We have also talked previously about the need to balance a concentration on throughput with the need to maintain, or improve, quality.  No

How Good Are They?

By |2023-08-02T07:05:26+00:00August 5th, 2023|

Over the last couple of decades (before the pandemic) lots of middle income countries and middle-performing companies were integrated into global supply chains. Advanced nations and advanced companies had no choice as they needed new sources of materials, parts and skills. These new supply chain partners soon learned what was expected of them and with

Industrial Relatons

By |2023-07-26T08:34:51+00:00July 29th, 2023|

One of the ironies of modern business life is that whenever anyone uses the term ‘industrial relations’ they are almost certainly referring to poor relationships.  Similarly, the ‘industrial relations industry’ is about handling (and dealing with the consequences of) poor industrial relations. So, how do we avoid the pitfalls associated with these poor relationships. Well,

Essential Inefficiencies

By |2023-07-19T08:39:39+00:00July 22nd, 2023|

Productivity equals efficiency.  Yes?   Well, yes - by and large. But sometimes we need something else … something more. The recent problems with supply chains (after both the COVID pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine) reminded us that resilience is also important - but may use additional resources, and therefore be ‘less efficient’. In fact,

Let Them Laugh

By |2023-07-13T09:16:45+00:00July 15th, 2023|

If they see employees laughing, some managers make negative comments which can be summarised as ‘You are here to work, not to have fun’. However, humour has positive benefits form an organisation. It promotes and strengthens social relationships; reduces stress, and even has a positive effect on people’s bodies. strengthening the immune system.  So, treat

Industrial Relations

By |2023-07-07T08:40:47+00:00July 8th, 2023|

One of the ironies of modern business life is that whenever anyone uses the term ‘industrial relations’ they are almost certainly referring to poor relationships.   Similarly, the ‘industrial relations industry’ is about handling (and dealing with the consequences of) poor industrial relations. So, how do we avoid the pitfalls associated with these poor relationships. Well,

Mind the Gap

By |2023-06-28T06:30:23+00:00July 1st, 2023|

Firms who wish to be fully productive need a workforce that is engaged, motivated and fully skilled. Firms who do not have fully skilled employees are, in effect, giving away capacity..  Firstly, of course, employees who do not have all of the skills they need to carry out their role properly will be slower at completing

Its Productivity Week

By |2023-06-22T14:47:12+00:00June 24th, 2023|

For most (all?) countries, at the moment, that headline could ha de been rewritten as ‘Its Productivity Weak”. Productivity, globally, has been fading as a result of general  economic decline, the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine- and the effects on global supply chains. So what should governments do? Well, one tactic employed fairly regularly is

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