Productivity
I’ve been reading some interesting articles on productivity and doing business in New Zealand – see OECD link and World Bank Report. Given the importance of lifting our productivity, I wanted to highlight two very practical tips.
The first is an obvious one if you’ve been to our office – dual monitors. The ability to have multiple documents, spreadsheets or emails open at once – and for the computer to treat the physical screens as one is hugely beneficial to knowledge workers. We’ve combined our screens onto monitor arms by Ergotron.
The second is the use of our internal Wiki – we now use this for much more than documenting our clients’ systems. We use a knowledge base (how-to articles), internal procedures, meeting agendas and minutes, and a way of tracking items or issues.
Reading
I’m still trying to catch-up on the reading list from my course but I have completed one book that I’d recommend: Aligning the Stars: How to succeed when professionals drive results – Jay W. Lorsch and Thomas J. Tierney. I’ve made some notes on some of the key points – email me if you want a copy.
Of course it’s so easy to get distracted, especially with the second season of Burn Notice, the new season of Spooks and You Tube video from The Gruen Transfer – see the NZ Invasion examples version 1 and version 2 (I especially like the 100% NZ takeoff).
For those of you interested in some business related blogs:
Harvard Business Blogs
The Economist Blogs
Our New Premises
We’ve moved – well across to the other side of the building at 11 London St (so no changes to our address). With an expanded team - soon to be nine in total – it’s great to have the extra space.
The contractors led by John Clark of John Clark Construction were fantastic – and if you are considering a move or renovations to your premises I’d highly recommend them. The team included: CommSolutions – network cabling, McAra Air conditioning – Aircon, and Hassall Electrical – electrical work.
The new fit out, layout and investment in new equipment has brought about a raft of savings which collectively add up to a significant sum – these include: server room having inverter air-conditioning, Power Over Ethernet for some of our phones, and using Voice over IP for our phone and fax.