Favorite Things Friday - Nov 2

Recommended Reading
Dreams & Associations
World's Greatest Job Posting
Job Satisfaction

Favourite Teddy Bear Ad 


Favourite Timelapse Of Hurricane Sandy

Favourite "Is This About Jesus?" Song


Favourite Trailer For A Movie About Paddleboarding & The West Coast


Favourite Inspiration To Be Awesome

Lazy Farmers

I used to think farmers were some of the hardest working people in the world.

Last weekend I was talking to my friend Matt, who works on a farm. I mentioned that I'd like to work on a farm for a week, to get the feel for what it's like, but no longer because I hear it's incredibly hard work.

His response?

"No it's not. Thanks to technology, we hardly do any work now."

Excuse me?

Apparently with the advances in modern technology, a GPS drives the tractor, a machine harvests the grain, a computer sorts the potatoes and the human oversees it all.

Those lazy farmers!

But as I thought about it, we've all become lazy.

Scott Jackson loves to point out that when he started in radio they played "carts" on the air. The DJ would have to find the right cart, cue it up, and start play at the right time. Mix in taking phone calls and  sounding like a star when the mic is on, and Scott claims he'd be soaking wet with sweat by the end of a show.

Now the DJ has a computer that finds the song on a hard-drive, cues it up and starts it when the preceding song ends. All the DJ has to do is turn the mic on and be awesome.

Sounds even lazier than Matt the farmer.

No, farming isn't as difficult as it used to be; but they still work harder than a radio DJ, so I'll just keep my mouth shut.

How has technology made your job easier?

Rework - The Notes

Ever since my trip to the Google campus in Mountain View, California I have been interested in corporate culture, and how to create a great work environment. A friend recommended I check out Rework, and after skimming through it in Chapters, I put a hold on it at the Barrie Library.

Well, I just finished reading Rework (for the third time) and this time made some notes as I went along. I thought I'd post them here on the Wonderblog

- Workaholics don't save the day, they use it up. The hero is already home because he figured out a faster way to get it done.

- If no one is upset by what you're doing, you're probably not pushing hard enough. (and you're probably boring too).

- Long projects zap morale. The longer it takes to develop, the less likely it is to ship. Make the call, make progress, get something out now.

- Interruptions break your work day into a series of work moments. Productivity is like REM sleep, it takes some time to get to that level and each interruption is a reset.

- Being the "Anti-____" (Nike, Microsoft, Starbucks) is a great way to differentiate yourself and attract followers.

- You rarely regret saying "no" but often wind-up regretting saying "yes."

- Some products are in-store good, you want to be at-home good.

- Welcome obscurity. Work out the kinks while no one knows who you are.

- Earning loyalty by teaching people forms a deep bond. Emulate famous chefs, what can you teach people that is informative, educational and promotional?

- Give people a backstage pass and show them how your business works. It works for even the most obscure and dull jobs (crab fishing, truck driving, baking cakes). Letting people behind the curtain changes the relationship. They will see you as human beings, and develop a deeper appreciation for what you do.

- Show your flaws and imperfections. When something becomes too polished it loses its soul.

- Always hire the better writer. Clear writing is a sign of clear thinking.

- You don't create culture, it just happens. Culture isn't a foosball table or a Christmas party. Those are objects and events, NOT culture.

- The environment has a lot more to do with great work than people realize. There is a ton of untapped potential trapped in grey cubicles, working under lame policies and stifling bureaucracies.

- When you treat people like children, you get children's work. You are creating a boss-vs-worker relationship that screams "I Don't Trust You!"

- Ideas are forever. Inspiration is like fresh fruit or milk, it expires. When inspiration grabs you, grab it back and put it to work.

Rework was a fantastic read. Head over to the library and check it out!

Environments & The Death Of The Office

I took Crystal to the dentist today, and instead of sitting in the waiting room reading magazines from the Clinton administration I elected to go to Chapters and read something current.

I stumbled across Rework (a book I had been hoping to take out from the library) and sat down to read it.  It wasn't a very tough read, so I finished it before Crystal called me to say she was done.

The chapter I found most interesting was about work environments.  I'm a big proponent that the environment has a HUGE effect on the experience.  The environment makes or breaks a concert.  The work environment has a huge effect on a) productivity and b) morale.

The book said that you cannot intentionally create the work environment.  The environment is a byproduct of the way management treats the employees. 

If they aren't trusted to do their job, and are management is always looking over their shoulder to make sure they are "on-track", then the work environment will be more like a prison than a community.  If management encourages socializing, joking and building relationships within the office walls, then the work environment will be more enjoyable and more like a community of friends.

But what about productivity?  If the employees are socializing, then their productivity suffers.  That is partly true.

They did a study and found that when employees are given more rope/freedom, their productivity goes up by nearly double. 

They also mentioned that you need to have people on board that buy into the vision.  If they don't buy in, then they shouldn't have been hired in the first place.

It's an interesting concept.  I've worked in some environments where socializing with co-workers is strictly forbidden.  I have also worked in environments where socializing took a huge bite out of productivity.  I think it's a delicate balance. 

I'd say the best way is the evaluate people is not by how much time they spend in the office, but by the outcomes of their goals.  If they hit their goals, why does it matter how much time they spent tied down to their cubicle?  If they are only in the office 2 hrs a day, but they nailed their goals, isn't that a success?  Maybe they work best outside the office?

With the advancement of technology, I'd say the "office" is almost obsolete... but that's a post for another day.

NOW GET BACK TO WORK!