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Ditching the "Dead Weight"
A recent article (Bloomberg Business Week March 21-27, 2011)takes a looks at a more common than most of us would like to believe phenomenon; the office hoarder. The article quotes Matt Paxton, a self described "extreme cleaning specialist" indicating "There's at least one hoarder in every family - and there's one in every office". Interesting.
Of parallel interest, a recent study by OfficeMax found that nearly half of all employees (46% according to the survey) indicate they have trouble prioritizing what they should throw away.
As far as these findings and a correlation to a well managed business is concerned, several things come to mind. First, strong business practices must include the integration of inventory management systems. Additionally, in order to support the business bottom line, a business must support their staff in understanding inventory management, information management and records management as well. After all what employee will discard anything when they fear they may be held accountable for it at some point in time?
Where can an organization, large or small begin to examine and implement inventory, information and records management and at the same time address the already existing clutter, i.e., "the dead weight'?
Productivity consultant Barbara Hemphill suggests an solution known as The Productive Environment Day®. During a Productive Environment Day a participating business or business department will set aside specific time to focus on clearing the clutter which is impeding productivity. During the process they outline and review company policies around information management. One participating company shredded and/or recycled 13 tons of paper - this was NOT inclusive of papers and materials which were tossed in the trash or donated. In addition the same company deleted 1,366,322 digital files; talk about liberating!
This company which rid itself of significant dead weight (defined here as "an oppressive burden or difficulty") is now in a position in which to cultivate innovation, collaboration, improved efficiency and smarter business.
A recent article (Bloomberg Business Week March 21-27, 2011)takes a looks at a more common than most of us would like to believe phenomenon; the office hoarder. The article quotes Matt Paxton, a self described "extreme cleaning specialist" indicating "There's at least one hoarder in every family - and there's one in every office". Interesting.
Of parallel interest, a recent study by OfficeMax found that nearly half of all employees (46% according to the survey) indicate they have trouble prioritizing what they should throw away.
As far as these findings and a correlation to a well managed business is concerned, several things come to mind. First, strong business practices must include the integration of inventory management systems. Additionally, in order to support the business bottom line, a business must support their staff in understanding inventory management, information management and records management as well. After all what employee will discard anything when they fear they may be held accountable for it at some point in time?
Where can an organization, large or small begin to examine and implement inventory, information and records management and at the same time address the already existing clutter, i.e., "the dead weight'?
Productivity consultant Barbara Hemphill suggests an solution known as The Productive Environment Day®. During a Productive Environment Day a participating business or business department will set aside specific time to focus on clearing the clutter which is impeding productivity. During the process they outline and review company policies around information management. One participating company shredded and/or recycled 13 tons of paper - this was NOT inclusive of papers and materials which were tossed in the trash or donated. In addition the same company deleted 1,366,322 digital files; talk about liberating!
This company which rid itself of significant dead weight (defined here as "an oppressive burden or difficulty") is now in a position in which to cultivate innovation, collaboration, improved efficiency and smarter business.
