Too often, managers assess worker performance - especially in knowledge jobs - on how long they work ... not on what they achieve.
Of course workers react to such measurement schemes and will extend their hours ... taking longer than necessary to complete work if that is what it takes to fill the hours expected of them.
So make sure you measure what your staff do - and achieve - rather than how long they are 'present'.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Think things through
I went to a presentation recently on Israel's approach to innovation ... and to Research and Development in particular.
What struck me was the 'joining of the dots' ... the fact that Israel seems to have broken down the silo mentality of government to coordinate activity across a range of departments. They have done this by appointing a 'Chief Scientist' who has authority and responsibility .. and who can work across these departments.
Other countries have campaigns, policies and strategies ... but few of them seem to have thought the issues through to the point where they can deliver on the vision.
This is not a plea to copy israel's approach to R&D ... but - whatever the issue - to think through issues, the structures needed for implementation and the need for a 'leader' to give focus and to drive through the good intentions.
What struck me was the 'joining of the dots' ... the fact that Israel seems to have broken down the silo mentality of government to coordinate activity across a range of departments. They have done this by appointing a 'Chief Scientist' who has authority and responsibility .. and who can work across these departments.
Other countries have campaigns, policies and strategies ... but few of them seem to have thought the issues through to the point where they can deliver on the vision.
This is not a plea to copy israel's approach to R&D ... but - whatever the issue - to think through issues, the structures needed for implementation and the need for a 'leader' to give focus and to drive through the good intentions.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Manufacturing is better?
Most countries go through a development cycle from Agriculture to Manufacturing and then on to Services.
However many services are labour intensive ... and therefore dramatic productivity gains are difficult
Productivity in manufacturing industry can be transformed using technology and automation.
Does,this mean that those countries that have moved through manufacturing to services (UK?) are at a disadvantage in the productivity race?
However many services are labour intensive ... and therefore dramatic productivity gains are difficult
Productivity in manufacturing industry can be transformed using technology and automation.
Does,this mean that those countries that have moved through manufacturing to services (UK?) are at a disadvantage in the productivity race?
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Productivity Conundrum
The Guardian (UK) this week raised the question of how the UK has managed to create jobs whilst GDP is falling.
It suggests that the answer must be that the productivity of the workforce is falling ... so we need more of them.
However, employment figures often lead or lag on economic performance.
An equally valid reason is that firms have confidence in the future and are hiring now to create future output.
Only time will tell which explanation is right.
It suggests that the answer must be that the productivity of the workforce is falling ... so we need more of them.
However, employment figures often lead or lag on economic performance.
An equally valid reason is that firms have confidence in the future and are hiring now to create future output.
Only time will tell which explanation is right.
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