I'm mulling about my monitor. I was reading an article at online.wsj.com/articles/talking_tech about a research study done by Microsoft's Center for Information Work, which looks at the way office workers use computers. They found that with three monitors per worker, productivity jumped NINE PERCENT. That's unreal. Nine percent might not seem like a lot to you, but it's getting to the point where it's really hard to squeeze a few extra productivity points out of workers, so that's a very large amount. When you look at the stock market trading floor, you see multiple monitors everywhere---that group has already realized it's required to see all that information. Perhaps I wouldn't have three monitors, but I'm seriously considering adding a second. It … [Read more...]
The Ten Commandments of cell phone etiquette
I just had a conversation with my assistant about this very issue today. She only works part-time a few hours on Mon, Wed, Fri. When she comes to work, she shares my office, which isn't the best arrangement, but I work from home. My husband John has the second office, so, well, there you have it. Like anyone, she gets personal phone calls at work on her cell phone. I frankly don't really care when people call her. She's very diligent and works hard, so it doesn't bother me that she answers her cell phone. What *does* bother me is having her carry on her personal phone conversations a few feet away from me. She's been working for me for a year and a half now, and I can't believe I haven't said anything so far, but today I had to speak up. She talked with her lawn guy for five … [Read more...]
What are you tolerating today?
I just got fed up. My Treo 600 wasn't connecting to my email server unless it had a really full battery charge. Which wasn't a problem IF I remembered to plug it in every night. Until a few days ago, when I forgot, and I was out and about on appointments and couldn't get my messages. I'd been putting up with this for several weeks, because the battery is internal and can't easily be replaced. So I just bought the new Treo 700p and am so jazzed! I can watch tv, view Web sites easily, use my new bluetooth ear piece, and take really great pictures and videos. Why didn't I do this sooner? Then I started looking around and wondering what else I've been tolerating that's irritating or otherwise slowing me down. My printer! Ugh! … [Read more...]
Creating a productive environment
What do you surround yourself with to make you feel productive? I have an "I love me" wall with degrees, certificates, awards, etc., to remind myself that I am living up to a lot of expectations. I keep a wall calendar to remind me that my job is to keep it full with speaking engagements. I have photos of my family, husband, and children, to remind me that a lot of people are depending upon me. I keep my dog and cat running around in my office to remind me to play. And my newest environmental addition...two Siamese fighting fish (a.k.a. betta fish)...no fancy filtration systems needed. Just watching them swim around on my desk relaxes me and knowing I get to feed them gives me another good reason to look forward to coming to work. The glass … [Read more...]
How to be productive on the 3rd of July
I was reading about a survey by Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. of 100 human resource executives, which found 56 percent said they would have normal office hours on Monday, citing the global nature of their businesses. Many people took the day off, turning it into a 4-day weekend. Those that are left in the office wish they weren't. So how to you get some last-minute pre-holiday productivity? Roll in giant recycling and trash bins and stage a paper-tossing contest between departments. Have employees clean out their filing cabinets, and whoever gets rid of the most paper in weight (adjusted to % based on the # of people in the department) gets a pizza party at lunch and leaves early. Of course, buy everyone pizza and let everyone go early, but you'll at … [Read more...]
Is Socializing a Waste of Time?
I read with a mixture of interest and amusement an article referencing a study done by OfficeTeam/ Robert Half International about whether socializing at work around the water cooler is a waste of time. http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=2278 Predictably, workers said no. Predictably, managers said yes. The answer, of course, is YES...and NO. This is a silly study. As with any study, it's easy to skew the numbers. The answers vary, depending upon the context in which it's discussed and your point of reference. Certainly, socializing can be a waste of time. Thirty minutes spent chatting about your aunt Sally's surgery could qualify as a non-value producing activity. However, not all socializing is a waste of … [Read more...]
A First Look at the 2007 Microsoft Office System
I recently participated in the “Microsoft Office System Webcast: A First Look at the 2007 Microsoft Office System” that previewed some of the new features of Microsoft Office 2007. I’m excited about the changes I saw. While the move from Office 2000 to Office 2003 brought us mostly cosmetic changes, there is a lot of new, improved functionality in Office 2007. Here are some of my favorites: · The menu system is replaced by a “ribbon,” which is essentially a customized tool bar with buttons for each command. · The ribbon opens a series of “command tabs” that are contextual, meaning they only appear when you need them. So you don’t always have your menu bar cluttered up by a bunch of icons that are meaningless at the time. Each application has its own set of command … [Read more...]
Today’s software and mobile devices enable new breed of ‘Road Warriors’
Work Essentials: Today’s software and mobile devices enable new breed of ‘Road Warriors’ By Nina Bondarook Gini Courter only worked out of her company’s office in Grand Traverse County, Michigan twice during the first half of the year. The balance of her time was spent traveling to provide software training and business solutions to clients of Triad Consulting, the firm she co-founded there 10 years ago. “I spend 99.9 percent of my work time at client sites, in hotels or at remote locations,” says Courter, Triad’s managing partner. “I’m still adapting. Every time I see a laptop case with a couple of new features, I start to drool.” She’s among a growing breed of Road Warriors who use today’s technologies to work from ‘any location at any time.’ In fact, Massachusetts-based IDC, a … [Read more...]
Wi-fi on airplanes: a much-needed productivity boost!
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2006-06-05-inflight-broadband_x.htm Following a winning $31.3 million-dollar bid, AirCell, a Colorado-based company that provides wireless services for corporate jets, is now poised to provide wireless service on public airliners as early as 2007. This would be absolutely amazing for personal productivity, allowing you to do the same work you do in the office, on your Blackberry, in the hotel, at Starbucks and in the airport lounge. Bravo! Many people complain about travel, citing a huge productivity drain. Now they won't have anything to blame, and the excuse will vanish. The real reason for not getting work done will emerge: a good book, a stiff drink, the prospect of a nap. NOW we'll see where the rubber hits the … [Read more...]
When are IT pros going to stop sabotaging worker productivity?
For years, I've heard employees in my productivity seminars complaining about their IT departments. Some of these complaints I believe have valid justifications, and I stick up for IT: COMPLAINT: IT won't let them load personal software. JUSTIFIED! Doing so would create a staffing nightmare as workers seek help on non-supported applications. Could also create security concerns and open the door to system viruses. COMPLAINT: IT restricts access to certain Internet sites JUSTIFIED! I can't think of a good reason why employees would need to watch X-rated videos at work. COMPLAINT: IT doesn't upgrade their operating systems and software to the newest version for years after the release. JUSTIFIED! You don't need new technology for the sake of new technology. There must … [Read more...]
