Great Lakes Training & Consulting, LLC

“Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It” is the title of a recent book by authors Jody Thompson and Cali Ressler. They are the founders of a consultancy called “CultureRx.” In their book they provide a long list of reasons for disliking the standard work culture. At the top of their list is a myth that Time + Physical Presence + Hard Work = Results. They describe a lack of understanding why Fred gets chastised for coming in a few minutes late, while Bob gets praised for staying late. Forget about who got the most work done. They describe bosses who focus on more on having seats filled than productivity. “Presenteeism” is the word they use to describe the rewarding of longer hours over productive hours.

In the Results Only Work Environment they describe the basic premise is, “people can do what they want, whenever they want, as long as the work gets done.”

The Results Only Work Environment was actually tested by Best Buy, which resulted in an increase in productivity of 35%, a vast reduction in voluntary turnover, and a much happier workforce.

They are big on virtual workplaces. They say, “Work isn’t a place you go - it’s something you do.”

Now I have a hard time accepting some of their ideas. For example, they propose:

• Employees have the freedom to work anyway they want.
• Employees get unlimited paid time off as long as the work gets done.
• Every meeting should be optional.
• No work schedules should be imposed.

There should be no judgment on how you spend your time.

However, they are thought provoking. Are we doing things the best way? Are there new technologies that would allow us to work differently will equal or better results? When do I really need my full work force? What work needs to be done at the plant, office, or store and what could be done remotely?

The tools of Business Process Improvement can be used to explore these questions and more.

If we are to be successful in business and start the standard for our competitors to achieve, then we must be continually challenging the systems we have created in our workplace. In must companies it is not essential to have all of the employees present at the same time, although we may have core hours during which we must be fully staffed. Do we need to be open every day of the week? The State of Utah has just gone to a 4-day, 10-hour work/day workweek. This is accomplishing savings in heating, cooling, and lighting these state building resulting in large savings. The state employees, while working longer each day, now have three-day weekends to spend more time with their families.

There is nothing new here, but time-tested tools that help us to identify and eliminate waste of material, money, equipment and our time.