In this day and age, it seems like the latest trend is to concentrate your energy in short bursts at a time instead of the long slog of yore. Finally, some evidence behind this thinking!
Microsoft Japan tried out a four-day workweek last month to thrilling results. A (roughly) 40% increase in productivity is nothing to sneeze at - think of the amount of sheer WORK an extra 40% in productivity produces.
Smaller hacks were implemented too. My personal favorite is the shorter meeting times imposed. Personally, I find that most of the meetings that I chair tend to be on the more successful side since I schedule them for 20 minutes (if I estimate the discussion to take 30 minutes) or 45 minutes (if the discussion is projected to be a lengthy one at usually 60 minutes). The off-kilter timing sets off people's internal clocks and makes them feel like they need to get to their points quickly. Brevity is key! The shortened meeting times also cut down on the bureaucratic language some people like to employ. Not on my watch!
It'll be interesting to see if this will ever be implemented on a larger scale and on a more permanent basis. Start-ups can easily handle this agile way of working, but can the more traditional firms say the same thing?
Smaller hacks were implemented too. My personal favorite is the shorter meeting times imposed. Personally, I find that most of the meetings that I chair tend to be on the more successful side since I schedule them for 20 minutes (if I estimate the discussion to take 30 minutes) or 45 minutes (if the discussion is projected to be a lengthy one at usually 60 minutes). The off-kilter timing sets off people's internal clocks and makes them feel like they need to get to their points quickly. Brevity is key! The shortened meeting times also cut down on the bureaucratic language some people like to employ. Not on my watch!
It'll be interesting to see if this will ever be implemented on a larger scale and on a more permanent basis. Start-ups can easily handle this agile way of working, but can the more traditional firms say the same thing?
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