INFORMATION
Practical solutions for powering productivity
The productivity of UK workers has dropped back to pre-financial crisis levels according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Hourly output fell 0.5% in the first three months of 2017 and the UK's productivity continues to lag behind its major trading partners such as the US, France and Germany. Typically, commentators identify
Richard Morris, UK CEO, Regus, looks at how UK businesses can boost productivity. However, employers must be
careful not to abuse the 24/7 communication possibilities of technology, otherwise they may end up with stressed, resentful staff. Equally, technology should not eliminate face-to-face time. It is vital employees have a
three core elements to productivity: people, technology, and time.
PEOPLE When it comes to getting the most out of employees there is no one- size-fits-all solution. Nevertheless, a few simple management rules can boost productivity:
• Notice good work
• Never be too busy or bootstrapped to invest time and/or money in coaching, mentoring and training
• Make sure everyone understands the business' goals
• Try to make work enjoyable, and the workplace supportive
Richard Morris
• Give workers the flexibility to work their way. For most people, this means choosing working hours and places that fit in with needs like childcare.
Engaging employees in this way can deliver significant results. Businesses recording top levels of employee engagement have 21% higher productivity according to research.
TECHNOLOGY Mobile technology and Cloud- based services boost productivity by enabling staff to work wherever they find themselves.
conducive place to work. Purpose- designed, professional workspaces enable remote workers to plug-in and get productive.
TIME Recent studies point to the impact of emails and meetings on productivity, with analysts suggesting workers spend more than a quarter of each day on emails. One significant destroyer of
employee time is the commute. On average, UK professionals spend 8.1 hours per week travelling to and from work. Allowing people to do their jobs
closer to home gives them more space for both work and leisure. Eliminating the commute is better for work-life balance and can enhance wellbeing and productivity.
Charity helps with retirement
Having joined the organisation in 1982, Linda Whitt has seen over 22,000 people attend Nottingham and District Pre-Retirement Council’s monthly seminars through the years. She looks at the importance of planning for retirement.
From hospital porters to chief executives of Borough Councils, Linda has dealt with them all, ensuring those preparing for retirement get the best help possible. The charity, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in
2017, is a not-for-profit organisation. For large companies, courses are held on site, with the
organisation covering the whole of the East Midlands. The volunteer course facilitators are retired themselves and offer first-hand experience and advice. The speakers are all experts in their own fields and are available on a one-to-one basis during the programmes. Linda said: “I would encourage people not to
sleepwalk into retirement. Our course covers all types of questions we are regularly asked, as well as an array of topics such as health and fitness, diet, state pensions, benefits, safety, security, consumer advice and volunteering and tips on how to enjoy your retirement. “I hear many people say “I’m not going on a course, I’m
just going to enjoy myself and take it easy; I don’t need to make plans or be told how to pass my time”. Well that’s fine, but isn’t there a bit more to it than that? For example, how can you be sure that you have received, without prejudice, the best financial advice to safeguard your future, so that you can enjoy yourself without worry? “We encourage husbands, wives and partners to
attend the course together as retirement affects both parties and the divorce rate in the over 60’s is rising.”
The digital
revolution Sheldon Miller, Business Development Director at John Pye Auctions, looks at the opportunities digital technology presents.
Over a five-year period, John Pye Auctions fully transitioned from live traditional rostrum auctions to online time auctions, supported by physical saleroom viewings. Having met the challenge of
creating online auctions, our customers now benefit from viewing, bidding and buying all in one day, making the process quicker and simpler. Online timed auctions are without boundaries and ceiling capacities and create a more level playing field of auction sale mechanism across multiple sites. John Pye was the first UK
auction house to fully transition, because it saw the opportunities for growth. The next big step was to launch John Pye Property online auctions, now in its third year and growing significantly. Online auctions have grown
as digital and mobile technology has developed and more people have engaged with the technology. John Pye used to hold 60
NDPRC staff and volunteers celebrate the charity’s 50th anniversary this year
The charity has identified five elements to consider
in retirement, developed in consultation with the course facilitators. These are:
1. Retirement is a process, not an event
2. Think and plan for it in advance and allow time to adjust
3. Before you retire, think about all the positive things you get from work - e.g. sense of purpose, companionship, structure and routine - and look for ways you can replace these when you retire
4. Don’t give all your time away 5. Before you retire, don’t promise to take on too much.
auctions a year from one site and now holds 80 online auctions a month, going from 1,200 registered bidders to over 270,000 registered online bidders in just over a year. It is important to embrace
change and mould it to make the best of new technologies. Rather than revolution, for John Pye it has been evolution, developing a hybrid business model – integrating digital where it will benefit the business. John Pye has been
exclusively online for the past five years and hasn’t looked back.
business network December 2017/January 2018 55
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