Archives

September 2010

Gmail Priority: A Sad Tragedy - The latest news from Google is an upgrade to their popular email service, Gmail. Now, instead of just one Inbox, users get to have two. This is a terrible idea.
The Ultimate Traffic Dilemma - No one likes rush hour traffic, especially when it stretches farther than the eyes can see. For the poor commuters in Beijing, the gridlock is not only record breaking in distance, but has been persisting for ten days straight.

August 2010

The Unexpected Inspiration - Having never attended Blog Indiana before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But as I reflect back on what I learned, I'd say this conference was more than just eye-opening. It proved to be a source of unexpected inspiration.
Agonizing Presentation - My slides from Blog Indiana 2010 are now available online. The presentation was called Producing Content Without Agony and if you must know: yes, I beat my record.
Blog Indiana 2010 - For those of us afraid of making mistakes, avoiding the unknown and side stepping risk can certainly seem appealing. Yet, overcoming the fear of failure and taking chances can prove extremely beneficial. For Slaughter Development's founder, achieving productivity comes from tackling challenges head on—even if it means writing a blog post in under five minutes.
Help! I'm Productive! - To the majority of us, being productive in the office is a great thing. Yet, for one individual, consistently accomplishing her work is a big problem.
Exposure to Social Media - Today's post on The Methodology Blog is from Kristin Page, project manager for Golden Technologies. As a social media and internet marketing specialist, she advocates the importance for maintaining rules and regulations in regards to social media use in the workplace. Yet, for companies looking for exposure, her advice is simple: encourage employees to use it.
The Etiquette of Networking - There's no doubt: networking is hard work. And despite the incredible amount of diligence it takes to be successful at it, there is also a certain amount of finesse and etiquette that can either make or break your efforts. So, what's the secret to good networking?
Improvement Through A Fire Pit? - Next time your company decides to partake in some team building, you may want to steer clear of the exotic. After all, for one daring real estate company in Italy, a bizarre choice of exercise left some employees literally burned.
Our Biggest Mistakes - Since I just authored a book called Failure: The Secret to Success, it's probably a good time to talk about things we do wrong at Slaughter Development. One mistake, in particular, we keep making because it's so tremendously attractive.
Does Happiness Affect Productivity? - A professor named Daniel Sgori recently published an article that outlines the connection between happiness and productivity. In short, the impact is enormous.
Vacationing: No Cords Allowed - With the convenience of technologies such as laptops, BlackBerrys and cell phones, taking a true vacation from work is hard to accomplish. Yet, for many, checking email on the beach sounds efficient. But is it really?
Judging By Workspace - Is your office messy, sterile or filled with distractions? If so, a slight renovation could do you some good. Turns out, the state of your workspace can not only affect your own productivity, but your ability to gain trust, respect and confidence from surrounding co-workers and employees.
A Clean Handshake - I wouldn't characterize myself as a germaphobe; however, I'd say that my tolerance for public restrooms is quite low. To me, there is nothing worse than being subjected to unkempt toilets, grungy floors, slimy sinks and bacteria-caked doorknobs; particularly since I'm forced to touch them. So why, with the increased appearances of automatic bathroom appliances, is my mind still not at ease?
The Call Volume Paradox - Joe is a sales professional with a problem. His management is unhappy despite the fact that Joe is fantastically successful at closing great deals.

July 2010

Working on a Railroad - One might think that government employees at the Texas Railroad Commission would take great pride in taking care of trains in the Lone Star State. It's too bad, then, that the agency has no authority over railroads.
Workplace Productivity and Motivation - Rewards and punishments are such an integral part of organizations it's hard to imagine doing anything else. Yet a new video reminds us that these are the least effective ways to motivate anyone.
Ring, Ring Go Away - When it comes to being productive, a ringing telephone is far from helpful. In fact, many would agree the nuisance is downright distracting. But can this type of communication be avoided when conducting business? To Slaughter Development's founder, the phone can and should be handled more intelligently.
Should Workflow be Lightweight? - Andrew McAfee has been singing the praises of "lightweight workflow." But is he really talking about reducing churn or just trying to better leverage interruptions?
The Power of Zoning - At our last event in the 2010 Productivity Series, we talked about Workplace Artifacts. A powerful component of effective forms, files and workspaces is the use of zoning.
Dissipating Fear With Trust - Despite the occasional need for rollercoaster rides or horror films, fear is not an emotion most people want to experience often. This is particularly true if it shows up in the office.
No Review; Plan And Do - Robby Slaughter, founder of Slaughter Development, recently addressed a dilemma posed in the B2B Social Media Digest regarding performance reviews. His suggestion: "We don’t need to review, we need to plan and do."
Blog Indiana and Total Insanity - I'm speaking again at Blog Indiana this year on the topic of blogging and productivity. This year's topic: "Producing Content Without Agony."
Retirement R&R? - Believe it or not, the time has come for baby boomers to trade in meetings and work weeks for some well deserved R&R. For my father-in-law however, the process of retirement—let alone the idea—is anything but relaxing.
Disregarding Decision - Jacob Miller prides himself on his decisiveness. No matter what options, alternatives or dilemmas forthcoming, he makes a choice and sticks to it. That is of course, until he chose to construct a home.
Productivity and the World Cup - The folks at Mashable have been touting an infographic that complains about "lost productivity" due to the 2010 World Cup. It's filled with bogus, deceptive figures that make our blood boil.
Soliciting Help - When projects at work become overwhelming, its not uncommon to seek assistance from employees. But what happens when their workload is just as hefty?

June 2010

Sing in Collaboration - Ever wonder what the results would be if there was further collaboration on an already established masterpiece? The end result just may strike an inspirational chord.
Quick Trick: Tradeoffs - Slaughter Development's founder recently contributed as a guest to The Marketing Tech Blog. His topic: the quick-and-dirty trick for describing any project.
No Luck Lotto - Many Hoosiers are discovering that luck isn't the only way to find unexpected funds. If you've been eyeing that brand new grill for your back porch, maybe it's time you check in with the state government. After all, there's nothing to lose but unclaimed money.
The Buzz: Video Interview - Robby Slaughter was interviewed on The Buzz, an internet video show. Check out his conversation with host Tony Scelzo.
Replacing Chainj for Change? - Though it consists of merely six letters, one of the most straightforward words in the English language is C-H-A-N-G-E. Yet two prominent groups see a need for further simplification of this term.
Visualizing Possibility - There are moments when work starts to feel overwhelming. Artist John Bramblitt faces this reality everyday. And though he may not see these challenges personally, overcoming his obstacles brings more than just reassurance: it creates success far beyond what the eyes can see.
Stand Strong And Work - Feeling tired at work? Why not try something new: get rid of your chair. It may sound exhausting, but standing while you work not only improves productivity, but provides a larger sense of accomplishment.
Not Such a Happy Meal - McDonald's made headlines recently when a substance linked to cancer was discovered in their promotional toys. Yet, despite the immediate recall a week ago, commercials promoting the product are still airing on major networks.
Goodbye Impulse Buys - Ever find yourself running out to the grocery store for milk and eggs only to return with fifteen grocery bags and a hefty receipt reflecting your impulse buys? If this sounds familiar, don't fret. Slaughter Development's founder has some suggestions that will help your shopping become more efficient and less costly.
More Than a Name - Every file on your computer has to have a name. Selecting the right text might seem like an easy task, but bad filenames are actually a major problem.
Productivity and Social Media - Whether utilized for business or personal reasons, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn have become a significant source of communication. Yet, as useful as these tools can be, they can easily hinder productivity.
To Participate or Not? - On the fence as to whether or not social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are beneficial and worthwhile? Well, there is some advice that will help take away feelings of guilt or indecisiveness when it comes to "indulging" in this type of communication.
Encouraging Mediocrity - Mediocrity in the workforce certainly lacks luster. Not only does it deflate drive and motivation, but it inhibits productivity. Yet, what if that's the standard being encouraged in your office?

May 2010

Failing Expectations - Regardless of position or title, the inability to reach full potential in a job could create problems that have consequences. This applies even if the job is to run, throw and catch.
The 99-Year Mistake - No matter how fool-proof something may seem or how long it has existed without discrepancy, correction or improvement is always a possibility—even if it means updating after 99 years.
A Healthy Inbox - Many can relate to the stress caused by an overflowing email inbox at work. In May's edition of Health Minute Magazine, Robby Slaughter discusses how a healthy inbox can help promote a healthy lifestyle.
The Government Job - If pressed, most individuals in the private sector would probably repeat the stereotype that government jobs are easy and nearly impossible to lose. A new article, however, shows that these positions can be extremely difficult to get.
Productivity in Poverty - In the modern, technology-powered workplace, it may seem like being more productive is mostly a matter of the latest gizmo. However, a short video proves that there are some ingenious employees in the most impoverished places in the world.
Five Ways To "Play Nice" - After spending 40-hours a week together, some teams within an organization become so close that they start behaving like a dysfunctional family. In other words, professional behavior goes flying out the door and team members stop "playing nice." This, of course, is a recipe for disaster that often results in disengaged employees and a loss of productivity.
How about Three Sigma? - According to one noted blogger, three sigmas ought to be enough. More importantly, though, is the question of whether we should use any sigmas whatsoever.
No Minutes? Try Lying - Chances are many of us have indulged once or twice in a white lie with the knowledge that, for the most part, the statement has little to no serious consequence. For one man however, his version of a "white lie" was far from harmless.
The Power of Passive Voice - Your English teacher warned you not to use the "passive voice" when writing, but doing so is one of the easiest ways to improve productivity in your workplace. Changing language can change culture!
Simple Process, Sweet Outcome - Nowadays, million dollar contests seem to be popping up everywhere. Whether answering trivia, surviving the great outdoors, or even completing silly games,victors can earn major prizes. For one recent winner however, path to victory has led to controversy.
Workplace Productivity and Financial Advice - A new study of employee benefits reports that workers want financial advice at the office. Most believe that counseling programs would increase their productivity.
Brain Physical - Since our founding, Slaughter Development has worked alongside clients to increase office productivity by improving or even eliminating inefficient processes. Our goal? Open avenues for innovation and create a healthier workflow for stakeholders. It turns out that doing so doesn't just create a healthier sense of productivity— it also nurtures the brain.

April 2010

A Symphony of Strengths - Indianapolis-based Ignite HR Consulting is hosting an evening of training, networking and music. The education program focuses on an emerging movement in corporate training called Strengths.
Hailing An Airplane - A warning to airline travelers: regardless of tickets, checked luggage and your presence at the gate, there is no guarantee your plane won't leave without you. For Luke Mueller, a Los Angeles teacher and musician, one quick bathroom stop cost him more than a wasted $700 flight—it resulted in eight hours of grueling travel.
A Juror's Burden - In the United States' judicial system, you are considered innocent until proven guilty. And though hefty laws exist to protect this right, is it possible that bad processes and desperate measures get in the way of a fair trial?
Embracing The Fun Of Technology - Technology is not a rare concept to come by in today's society. Yet, while many embrace advances and strive to become experts, others may find it daunting and difficult to understand. Robby Slaughter, a principal with Slaughter Development, recently discussed this topic on the Marketing Tech Blog.
You Owe Four Cents - Now that tax day has come and gone, millions of Americans hope they have completed their taxes correctly. One man in California, however, suffered the penalty of underpayment.
Crabgrass Strikes Again! - As all Hoosiers have seen, our long-awaited anticipation for spring has finally come to an end! The glorious recipe of warm weather and blooming flowers is magic to those of us fare-weather winter fans. The only thing left to combat—besides the clouds of pollen—is: crabgrass.
IBJ: Killing the Operations Manual - Still scratching your head trying to figure out which desk drawer you've stashed your company's operations manual? Recently, the Indianapolis Business Journal published an article, written by Slaughter Development's very own founder, which discusses ways to improve the manual to the point of actually utilizing it rather than forgetting about it.
Helpful Assistance or Disruptive Gesture? - Is there ever a time when being helpful is counterproductive or even taxing? According to one source, even the simplest of actions can hinder workflow.
Asking for Help and Productivity - We all know that achievement comes through collaboration, not isolation. However, it's not always clear when we should ask for help.
Praise = Improvement - Previously discussed on The Methodology Blog, Applebee's newest digital technology for faster service has been integrated into several of its restaurants. Though the chain hopes the technology proves beneficial, a recent dining experience of my own has reaffirmed the value in good, "old fashioned" service and the simple act of praise.
The Incredible Sandwich Guy - Indianapolis-based image coach Starla West recently dropped into a Jimmy John's franchise to buy a meal. Little did she know that her entire day would be transformed by the experience.
Indiana Small Business Fair - Join Slaughter Development and hundreds of other businesses at the Indiana Small Business Fair on May 11, 2009.
Get To Know Your Keyboard - When it comes to productivity, we often turn to computers for quick results. Yet, ironically, the functions that are designed to increase usability are often times neglected. Robby Slaughter, founder of Slaughter Development, discusses the power of ALT + TAB keys in a guest post on The Marketing Tech blog.

March 2010

The Nagging Call - Like any consumer willing to accommodate certain processes in order to better service my needs, I've agreed in previous months to partake in phone surveys that assist in music selection for radio stations. About every two months, I receive a phone call asking for my participation. And, up until this month, I always agree. However, this past week brought an entirely different scenario.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game - Our local minor league baseball team has an exciting opportunity for a bright, hardworking individual. The internship offers an entry into the world of sports PR and the explicit promise of 100 hours per week.
Speed Blogging - Robby Slaughter, principal and founder of Slaughter Development, was recently asked by Roundpeg to write a guest post about efficient blogging. His advice: let go.
Meeting By Sofa Boat - Some find conducting business at a coffee shop a nice way to create a casual environment for a meeting. But if you're looking for a more interesting twist on scenery, you could consider sailing the open seas on the newly introduced "sofa boat".
Wrongful Foreclosure - The Methodology Blog has previously discussed process errors that drastically impact unsuspecting people. Likewise, today's topic on accidental housing foreclosures highlights the aftermath which follows unstable systems.
Conventions of Dress Codes - Having a dress code in the office is quite common. Yet, some say that nowadays they're not followed as strictly as in past decades. The question is, which is worse: wrong attire or pigeonholing?
Stakeholders vs. Shareholders - Pop quiz: What's the difference between a stakeholder and a shareholder? Here's a hint: it's at the root of some recent problems affecting Indiana communities.
Snapshot on Perspective - Recently, USA Today's website captured a very intriguing photograph of a young boy in midair. The question is, what's you're perspective on the image?
The Myth of Management Buy-In - Almost every change management professional talks about "management buy-in." But actually, the most interesting and powerful business process improvements occur without the involvement of leadership.
Slaughter Development in the WSJ - Our founder, Robby Slaughter, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal about productivity and social media. The message: social media is powerful stuff, especially for small business.
The Worst Possible Decision - Sometimes, it's hard to evaluate which choice is the best for your business. But it's clear that one is always the worst: dismissing an employee.
The Paperless Dream - Most offices are driven by paper. One document management expert, however, wants to know what it will take to get paper out of the workplace entirely.
Dilbert On Playing Dumb - Dilbert strikes again! A recent episode of the popular comic strip once again resonates with Slaughter Development.
Escaping Death By Meeting - On Wednesday, Slaughter Development presented the third session in the 2010 Productivity Series. The program for this month was "Escaping Death By Meeting - How and Why to Meet." If you were unable to attend or would like to simply refresh your memory, the slides from this presentation are now available here on The Methodology Blog.
Marketing: Your Sixth Man - Today's post for The Methodology Blog is from Lorraine Ball, president of Roundpeg. Her advice on getting the biggest bang for your buck in marketing: understand your clients and establish standards for success.
Rotary Phone Nostalgia - If you frequently type numbers into a computer, a 10-key is an essential productivity tool. But one hobbyist decided to build a less efficient system out of an old rotary telephone.

February 2010

The Mysterious Process - Operating a business through process-oriented work is what defines a successful company. And, despite the dozens of adjectives that go into describing any given process, the purpose should be well-defined and known to all stakeholders involved.
Salesforce and BPM - Earlier this month, SalesForce.com announced a new feature for their product suite. You can now visually design processes for your business.
IBJ: Does Your Workflow Bring Satisfaction - Slaughter Development founder Robby Slaughter has contributed another article in the Indianapolis Business Journal this week. The piece is titled “Does Your Workflow Bring Satisfaction?”
Ambition, Motivation and Productivity - A feature in Time Magazine poses a powerful, and perhaps dangerous theory about ambition. The article implies that perhaps some people are just more likely to succeed.
Job Satisfaction Plummets - Here's a double whammy for the working professional. You hate your job and want to quit, but the economy is bad so you're afraid to leave.
Incentives to Innovate - There's a weird relationship between innovation and motivation. You can't force creativity. Instead, you have to find ways to inspire creative people and get out of the way.
Don’t Belittle Your Staff - Today's post for The Methodology Blog comes from Nick Carter, owner of AddressTwo. He points out that there's an easy way to destroy productivity: destroy morale.
Disorganized Office, Discredited Report - As well all know, the trends of "going green", resource preservation and climate control have taken our society by storm. Yet, amidst the hype, a leader in the movement is currently under a magnifying glass for his disorganization.
Broken Form - How many times have you had to fill out a government form, only to find yourself struggling to fit all the required information in impossibly small boxes? These processes illustrate a broken workflow, but not how you might think.
Victim One Day, Winner The Next - While Todd Jamison exercised in the gym, his parked car was getting a work out too. The only difference: Todd chose to lift weights. His car had no choice.
Productivity and Disability - If there's no one in your personal life who experiences a form of disability, you may not be aware of the incredible array of resources available to help people work more effectively. But "assistive technology" can help almost anyone, not just the disabled.
The Antidote To Long Meetings? - Office meetings aren't always the highlight in our day—particularly when the outcome proves to be only the illusion of productivity. So, is there an antidote to this dreaded, wasteful time?
Snow Day Policy - Winter weather is closing thousands of schools and businesses across the United States this week. This has inspired a local HR firm to ask a rather curious question.
Doing More with Less - Joblessness is still high, labor costs are down, and unemployment claims are up. When times are tough, businesses must do more with less.
Increase Productivity: Do Nothing - Over at the website Blogussion, a writer named "Alex" suggests we can increase productivity by doing nothing. How can working less result in more?
You're Doing it Wrong - People who learn that Slaughter Development offers productivity and workflow consulting often think we make people better at their jobs. That's not only incorrect, it's a dangerous way to think.
Goodbye, January - The first month of the new decade is over. Did you accomplish your goals? Is measuring success based on the calendar a good approach for success?

January 2010

Productive Networking - As part of the ongoing More Than a Few Words podcast, Indianapolis small business leader Lorraine Ball sat down with our own Robby Slaughter to talk about productivity and business networking.
The Three Dollar Bargain - The Methodology Blog has covered the topic of disrupted travel due to faulty processes on several occasions; however, nothing so far can compare to the bungle made just last week by China Eastern Airlines.
Process Improvement Failure - Millions of companies have pursued major business process improvement projects. Some new evidence reported in the Wall Street Journal, however, shows that most of these endeavors fail.
Favoritism and Borders - It's never easy avoiding favoritism; particularly when it involves a large amount of business with large sums of money. Yet, as Borders bookstore now knows, ignoring or delaying others can lead to more than just annoyed clients.
Productivity Techniques for Real Estate - As part of Real Estate Bar Camp Indiana (RE BarCamp), Slaughter Development presented a session on time management for real estate professionals.
18 Cool Tools - The folks at Mashable, the "world's largest social media company," have a new list of productivity tools. You probably didn't know that the web has radical new ways to conduct old fashioned tasks like managing your to-do list, taking notes or gathering information.
Arrested For Tweeting - Twitter, as we very well know, is one of the fastest growing avenues of social media today. And although it only allows up to 140 characters, it's still large enough for trouble—regardless of the intentions.
I Can't, I'm Cooking - At Slaughter Development, we're always fascinated by the way people organize their work and prioritize tasks. Recently, we learned that one non-profit had assigned culinary duties.
Self-Control is Contagious! - Trying to stay focused at work? Want to avoid eating that extra piece of cake? Science now says: try thinking about people with better self-control than you.
Electronic Emotions: The Sarcasm Button - Nowadays, email exchange is a dominant form of both personal and business communication. In fact, it's so commonplace that now there is a special feature that helps avoid one of it's biggest blunders: the misinterpretation of words.
Efficiency In Real Estate - Last week, BarCamp Indiana featured a blog post from Slaughter Development's founder Robby Slaughter. The post discusses the correlation between real estate productivity and the telephone.
36 Minutes of Bliss - There's nothing quite like the satirical news magazine The Onion to help us recognize ironies in our advanced society. A recent headline simply reads: "Man Gets Life In Order For 36 Minutes."
From Threat to Request - In yesterday's edition of The Methodology Blog, we reviewed a poorly-worded email message from management. Today, we will show how to rewrite that same text so that it fosters satisfaction and productivity.
A Forwarded Threat - Companies use email to communicate on just about every imaginable topic, from party announcements to corporate decisions. But it's still surprising to see an email that contains an underlying use of threatening language.
The Five Box System - As part of the ongoing More Than a Few Words podcast, Indianapolis small business leader Lorraine Ball sat down with our own Robby Slaughter to talk about productivity. A key topic from the conversation is the "Five Box System."
Resolutions for a New Year -
On Wednesday, Slaughter Development presented the first session in the 2010 Productivity Series. The program for this month was "How NOT to Make New Years Resolutions at Work" and the slides are now available here on The Methodology Blog.
Social Media Productivity - Slaughter Development's founder has another article in the electronic edition of the Hamilton County Business Magazine. This piece is about productivity and social media.
Picture Impressions - Controversy over a recent photograph displaying a conversation between President Obama and Vice President Biden has become the newest battle of interpretation. Turns out, a picture may not be worth a thousand words but instead a thousand different points of view.
The Y2K+10 Bug - Billions of people worldwide recently celebrated the dawn of a new year by counting down the seconds until January 1, 2010. However, a retail shopping network in Australia decided to leap forward to January 2016.
Happiness Breeds Success - As we enter a new year, it's a good time to reassess how we think about work. That's why a startling revelation about what makes us happy is a powerful place to begin 2010.

December 2009

Resolve To Succeed in 2010 - Believe it or not, it's time yet again for fresh goals and new beginnings. The question is, how will you manage to keep momentum accomplishing them in 2010?
IBJ: World Without Deadlines - Slaughter Development founder Robby Slaughter has another article in the Indianapolis Business Journal this week. The piece is titled "Imagine a World Without Deadlines."
Improvements Without Technology - A recent project with a major institution created tremendous workflow improvements. Ulysses Leaning helped Harris Bank improve business processes without technical changes.
The Christmas Deadline - Millions of people all over the world are rushing to complete final purchases before the stroke of midnight. It's the biggest retail deadline of the year, which raises the question: do deadlines make us more productive?
Fueling Efficiency Or Impatience? - If waiting longer than 60 seconds for a refill on your soda is unacceptable, then perhaps you should head to the Sunshine State for dinner. After all, if Floridians are enjoying the newest service technology from their local Applebee's, why shouldn't you?
Facebook vs. Productivity - A survey of 4,000 office workers in India revealed something everybody already knew: employees spend about an hour a day on social networking websites like Facebook.
The 2010 Productivity Series - Mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 6 at 2PM: the first event of the 2010 Productivity Series. This session is entitled How NOT To Make New Year’s Resolutions at Work.
IBM Buys Lombardi - Technology giant IBM has made another acquisition. This time it's Lombardi, an Austin, Texas-based software company whose fantastic product is totally unknown to the people who need it most.
Faulty Accounting = Bloated Bonus - Many people dream of the day their bank account doubles or triples in size. For Stephen Foster, a supermarket warehouse employee, having it increase by an astounding $1.3 million is a tale for the history books.
22 Million Interruptions - The big political news this week is from the previous administration. Computer technicians have found 22 million lost emails from the Bush White House.
Public Relations Goes Scientific - The PR business requires creative people who can explain complicated ideas and situations to the public. One consultancy, however, is moving away from traditional communications in favor of the scientific method.
A Weight Lifted - Last night, America watched as Biggest Loser contestant Danny Cahill stepped on the show's infamous scale for his final weigh in. The dramatic outcome in weight-loss proved only to be one of his many successes from the show.
The High Cost of Conservation - The administration at Central Michigan University has managed to reduce water consumption by nearly 10%. But to make up for lost revenue, the city of Mount Pleasant may need to raise water fees for everyone.
Reynolds on ROWE - Over at the More Than a Few Words podcast, two Indianapolis small business owners recently discussed the benefits of a Results-Oriented Work Environment. That's more than a buzzword—ROWE is a radically different perspective on running a business.
Stately Crashers - In recent White House news, the Obama's first state house dinner was a success. That is, of course, except for one minor detail: insufficient guest security.
Is Electronic Medicine Worthless? - As Congress debates the future of the American healthcare system, a common point of discussion is the benefit of computerized medical records. But a new study suggests that the cost savings will be "nonexistent."

November 2009

Featured Article: Training Wheels - Slaughter Development has published a new case study about a company that decided to adopt a temporary policy to help train new staff members. Increased employee awareness, however, led to a permanent adoption of the change.
Logic of Loss Leaders - Countless Americans lined up outside of retailers today in hopes of taking advantage of record low prices. But is "Black Friday" really worth it?
Black Wednesday? - Today, the eve of Thanksgiving, carries the same chaotic, stressful reputation as it has for decades passed: the busiest travel day of the year. Yet, no matter how many years go by, no matter what precautions are taken or how much media attention it gets, there are still doubts as to whether people will make it home to their loved ones in time for turkey.
Tweetsgiving Indianapolis - Slaughter Development and The Methodology Blog are joining other central Indiana bloggers to offer a word of thanks during this holiday season. We're calling it: "Tweetsgiving Indianapolis."
Drawing is Thinking - A video of the famed graphic designer Milton Glaser is floating around the web lately. The title and the topic is powerful: "Drawing is Thinking."
Unintentional Vegetarians - When conference organizers provide dinner for attendees, they usually plan a regular meal and a vegetarian option. Most people choose the former, but not because they prefer meat. Instead, it's how the options are presented that makes guests into omnivores or vegetarians.
The Colts Comeback - For Indianapolis Colts fans, this past Sunday's game against the New England Patriots was a sweet victory. So why are many game-attending patrons experiencing post-game regret?
Rejected For An Off-Hand Comment - Yesterday, an Indianapolis-based firm announced they had rejected a candidate for an internship. They even explained the mistake: he left a message on Twitter that made it seem like he was goofing off at his current employer.
Seven Weeks, Seven Productivity Tips - Go look at the calendar. It's mid-November, which means there are a mere seven weeks left in 2009. Now is the time to look forward and prepare to make 2010 your best year yet.
Fired For Customer Service - Customer service, or lack thereof, is an enormous part of thriving in business today. Yet, as one airline employee discovered, people must be cautious with how they respond to frustrated consumers. Otherwise, they may get fired.
Advice on Time Management - The Indianapolis Workshops on Software Testing recently held a panel discussion on Time Management. Five presenters, including Slaughter Development's own founder, took part in the conversation.
Cold War Workaround - Over at the Lean Blog, Mark Graban reports on a Wired story about former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. Apparently when he ordered secure numeric codes to be placed on the weapons nuclear arsenal, the Strategic Air Command set the passwords to all zeros.
Kingdoms in the Company - Over at the Creo Quality Blog, Jon Speer writes about the frustration of companies that are divided into silos. "Stop building walls", Speer advises, and instead "figure out how to tear them down."
"Upping" Your Competitive Edge - According to Barbara Findlay Schenck, contributor to MSN's Business on Main, the three elements that all customers desire are price, quality and speed. Her advice for companies: "deliver on all three fronts to win and keep customers."
Making Social Media Productive - Last Friday, Slaughter Development presented "Making Social Media Productive" to Rainmaker University. Highlights and the slides are now available here on The Methodology Blog.

October 2009

Hierarchy in Flu Shots? - As the swine flu continues to creep up in many homes, schools, workplaces and public areas throughout our nation, people are starting to fret about securing an H1N1 shot before they run out. To make matters worse, there is a new controversy on who qualifies as "high risk."
Graffiti and Good Behavior - The walls in some public bathrooms seem to attract scribbles and markings. But one researcher found a completely effective method to stop graffiti for practically no cost whatsoever.
Accentuate the Negative - At Slaughter Development, we're big fans of the little word "no." That's why we love a new article that advises when not to do business.
Life Equals Risk - Do you have one minute and seventeen seconds? If so, check out a new video making the rounds on the web.
Productivity In A Can - Sick of the jittery aftermath that coffee causes, but still in need of a boost? According to one study, there's a new product on the market that provides more than just a pathway to alertness.
A Stopwatch for Bathroom Breaks - Heading to the restroom? If you're a call center employee in one government office, you had better be back in three minutes.
Murder Writer Methodology - There's a process for everything. An organized methodology can make almost anything more effective, including writing a murder mystery novel.
Dear Micromanaged Employee - A noted writer and speaker has a message to the micromanagers of the world. That message is: "stop it."
Dilbert on Worfklow - The concept of workflow and its impact on productivity is often highlighted on The Methodology Blog. Earlier this week, the classic workplace comic strip, Dilbert, had an interesting take on the subject.
Joy from Tedium - "Fun" is a hot topic on the web this week. But how can we enjoy work when our assigned tasks are boring?
The Fun Theory - Our daily routines consist of normal activities like climbing the stairs and throwing away trash. What happens if we try to make these boring tasks more fun?
Collaboration Software Failure - Computers are supposed to make our lives easier, but can often seem frustrating. A new software product inadvertently demonstrates the challenge of collaborating with others through a PC.
Baggage and Jet Fuel - To keep passengers in the skies, airlines will do just about anything. That's why United Airlines is now offering a new "deal" for checked bags.
Employees with Autism - Most employers are looking for candidates with "excellent communication skills." One firm, however, hires only people with autism.
Facebook and Workplace Frustration - Social networking websites like Facebook enable people to communicate easily with friends, family and colleagues. They can also document feelings of anger and resentment with work.
Combating Reactionary Workflow - Over at the American Express OPEN Forum, writer Scott Belsky feels that we spend too much time reacting. Instead of working intently, we simply "battle the unyielding flow of incoming information."
Lawsuit of the Century - In today's society, ambition has many definitions. To a man named Dalton Chiscolm, it's defined as $1.78 septillion dollars.

September 2009

Faxing Private Data - Each month, Indiana business owner Bill Keith receives over 150 faxes. Each one contains confidental patient records, but Keith is not even in the medical business!
Principal Workflow - Greg Carroll is a elementary school principal in New Zealand. Despite this position of authority and respect in his community, he still spends much of his day focused on effectiveness and efficiency.
Saying No at Work - Slaughter Development's founder has a column in the Indianapolis Business Journal this week.
Caught Goofing Off - Yesterday, a woman named Amanda Hite made a routine visit to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. While waiting in line, she noticed an employee playing computer solitaire—and managed to snap a picture with her cellphone camera.
Policy and Going Paperless - When the City of Langford realized they had too much paper, they did not choose to buy more file cabinets. Instead, they established a new, all-digital workflow.
Impacts of Cost Cutting - In an anonymous opinion piece, one former employee explains how a reduction in expenses destroyed productivity and morale. Mark down another incident for the law of unintended consequences.
Four Workflow Revelations - A blogger named Adrian Try has documented four lessons that helped optimize his workflow. All his ideas come from one source: thinking carefully about the process of work.
The Tape-Free TV Station - Visit any television station and you are likely to see racks filled with videotapes. Finding, loading, playing, rewinding and re-shelving this media is a workflow that is no longer required.
Caps Lock Termination - You might lose your job for any number of reasons, but being fired is usually connected to a major mistake. One New Zealand woman, however, was terminated because of her use of the caps lock key.

August 2009

Saving Ink, Maintaining Workflow - Every day, over 600,000 copies of the Washington Post hit newsstands and front porches. Printing now requires 30% less ink yet no additional frustration.
Productive Event Planning - Many people have worked long hours on event planning. If you've struggled to process registrations and track down attendees, take four minutes and five seconds to watch a video from Cannonball Communications.
Greener Interiors, Better Workflow - The new corporate headquarters of Summertown Interiors is, not surprisingly, quite beautiful. It's also in an energy-efficient building with architecture designed to improve workflow.
The Business of Losing Clients - Local brand experience design firm Kristian Andersen + Associates just got fired. It was an amicable divorce, but getting dumped is part of the consulting business, right?
Slaves to Methodology - Businesses love to implement a new, comprehensive solution to address a wide range of challenges. However, an analyst named Duncan Haughey argues that blindly adhering to methodology is ineffective and all too common.
Anecdotes, Evidence, Process Improvement - One of the most inspirational sources of workflow improvement is medicine. Yet, what makes doctors effective are not good outcomes, but understanding why good outcomes actually occur.
The 26-Pixel Tragedy - Brody PR, a 20-year old public relations firm, recently made a small mistake. In a few seconds, someone clicked the wrong box and may have destroyed the reputation of the entire company.
The blogINDIANA Bombshell - A great way to measure the success of a conference is the number of times you have an "aha" moment. At blogINDIANA 2009, one comment in one presentation surpassed all the rest.
Productivity and Blogging - At the blogINDIANA 2009 conference, Slaughter Development gave a talk on Productivity and Blogging. The take home lesson: yes, you can blog quickly and efficiently!
Making Bosses Meet Deadlines - One of the biggest challenges to blogging productively is a partner who doesn't meet deadlines. It's even worse when that blogging partner is your boss.
Preparing to Conference - Tomorrow is the first day of blogINDIANA 2009. This begs the question: what's the most productive way to attend a conference?
Balance From Workflow - Accountants are known for working ridiculously long hours. A CPA named Marty McCutchen, however, has found that improving workflow actually improves work/life balance.
Sensational Headline Only - A recent press release carries the title: "Bosses Beware: Employees Watching Videos Online on the Company's Dime." The contents of the document, however, have nothing to do with supervisors, employees and productivity.
Netflix, Tyranny and Culture - Scott Booher of CIOpedia recently posted a thoughtful critique about the obsession with procedure at many companies. His surprising inspiration was an internal document leaked from Netflix.
Starbucks and Going Lean - Local service industry consultant Tripp Babbitt recently commented on the use of Lean Manufacturing in the coffeeshop business. His key insight is that there is more to improving organizations than reducing waste.
How and Why to Meet - As part of The Happiness Project, author Gretchen Rubin has put together a list of tips for running good meetings. But are these simple suggestions enough to positively influence workplace productivity?
98% Unpaid for Overtime - In many companies, working extra hours means receiving extra compensation. But in one industry, 98% of employees report that they do not receive paid overtime, not even during "crunch" periods.
Fire Protection Workflow - Every week, Muncie, Indiana firefighters dutifully submit maintenance reports to headquarters. Until last month, this was done by hand—by actually driving fire trucks across town to deliver the paperwork!

July 2009

Ladd on Gladwell - Local Indianapolis blogger Parke Ladd recently cited popular author Malcolm Gladwell. Their joint insights on work are right on target.
Job Description Prison - Local HR firm C&S Consulting recently published a blog post about job descriptions. Unfortunately, these documents tend to cause problems rather than establish useful parameters for work.
Making Groups Smarter - The term priming refers to the tendency of a stimulus to influence the response to a later stimulus. That's a fancy way of saying that just being aware of something can totally change our thinking.
Taking on Lean Six Sigma - People often ask us if we use popular change management techniques like Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma. The answer is definitely no, but not for the reasons you might think.
Touch It, Want It - Many retail stores warn customers that "if you break it, you buy it." But it turns out there's an even better reason to keep products out in the open—handling something makes you feel like you own it.
Peter Principle: Scientific Fact? - An old business joke insists that people in an organization are "promoted to the level of their own incompetence." A new study says that this principle may actually be true.
Productivity + Satisfaction = Results - Slaughter Development's belief in methodology engineering is based around a simple formula: productivity + satisfaction = results. Review the slides from a recent presentation on this topic at the Indiana Business Fair.
Workday Advice, Not Tips - Usually, productivity advice appears in the form of direct suggestions that seem impossible to implement. An article by Deborah Hildebrand of Office Arrow, however, contains some profound ideas.
The Failed Methodology of Bonuses - Often, the best source for new ideas in an organization are the employees themselves. But according to author Matthew May, management should never give rewards for innovation.
Productivity at blogINDIANA - Attention Hoosiers! Writing a blog and spending your time judiciously can be compatible. Learn more about it at blogINDIANA, August 13th-15th.
The Ultimate Casual Friday - Tess Vigeland, host of the National Public Radio show Marketplace Money, interviewed the managing director of a UK design firm. He invited all of his employees to come to work not without negative thoughts, but without any clothing.
Dangers of Measurement - An old business adage warns: "You can't manage what you can't measure." However, obsessing over metrics often does more harm than good.
Remote Work Week: Opportunity - For our final post in Remote Work Week, we wrap up the discussion with advice on advocating telecommuting at your organization.
Remote Work Week: Qualifications - Today's issue of Remote Work Week discusses who in your organization is best suited for telecommuting.
Remote Work Week: Technology - Yesterday's edition of The Methodology Blog discussed major research on telecommuting, dating back to 1976. Today we demo modern technology as part of the Talking Tech Series.
Remote Work Week: Research - As part of Remote Work Week, yesterday's edition of The Methodology Blog introduced the relationship between telecommuting and happiness. Today we will discuss the major research into telework.
Remote Work Week: Happiness - Last week, networking giant Cisco Systems released a study touting the benefits of telecommuting. They also mentioned a headline product, Cisco Virtual Office.
Remote Work Week - This week, The Methodology Blog at Slaughter Development will be covering the latest perspectives on working remotely.

June 2009

Self-Confidence: Genetic and Crucial - Researchers have determined that intellectual confidence is part of our DNA, proving again that what you know is overshadowed by what you believe.
Process Automation and Morale - The local Indianapolis telephone services company, Interactive Intelligence, has announced “communications-based process automation." The offering sounds great for management, but what about for employees?
Study Finds Study Too Costly - When a British bridge authority raised tolls by 7%, many people complained. So, the board conducted an inquiry—which cost tens of thousands of pounds and must be paid by the future tolls!
Cutting the Right Waste - Local Indianapolis sales coach Jeff Bowe points out that sales requires being "vigilant in using limited time." But how should sales professionals manage their time effectively?
No Sitting on the Job - Imagine a workplace where chairs are banned and alarms go off when you walk too slowly. This is not science fiction, but the Canon Electronics Company.

May 2009

Over-investing in BPM Technology - In an eWeek article, Laura Mooney advocates “investing” in business process management software. Unfortunately, making yet another technology purchase will only contribute to the methodological problems in an organization.
Dilbert on Case Studies - In yesterday’s episode of Dilbert, an overconfident business consultant has a sudden realization.
Featured Article: A Privilege of Membership - New clients and members are often introduced to an organization at an event. However, a frustration-free registration is often a privilege of membership.
Process Management Is Wrong For You - Continuous improvement programs like Six Sigma insist that processes must be managed. Although this might seem reasonable, it is stakeholders— not managers—who should design and maintain regular routines.
Hunting for Energy Treasure - How did GE save $110 million in recurring costs? They sent employees hunting for energy treasure.
Outcome vs. Process Thinking - A new study reinforces the challenge and importance of process thinking. A key result: focusing on outcomes saves time, but reduces mindfulness.
Interview on TCW - Slaughter Development’s founder was interviewed by The Content Wrangler, a popular website dedicated to information architecture and content management.
Fixing it Yourself - After his roommate moved out, Douglas Mezzer continued to receive and pay the monthly DSL bill from iiNet. Then, Mezzer foolishly decided to officially transfer the account to his own name.
Complexity: Bad or Interesting - The recent death of electronics retailer Circuit City provides many somber lessons for business. One key idea is that simplicity may be overrated.
Source Not Verified - The passing of world-famous composer Maurice Jarre made headlines last month. Many articles included a quote from the songwriter, which unfortunately, was a simple hoax.
Mapping and Medicine - The world wants to know if the H1N1 or “swine flu” virus will become a pandemic. Perhaps the most important tool in understanding disease was invented in 1854.
Manjoo's Method - Tech writer Farhad Manjoo is supposed to be obsessed with the latest online gadgets. But instead, he has designed a straightforward system for surfing the web.
End-of-Month Mania - Sharon, a sales associate for a high-end consumer products store, recently spent an entire day stressed and overworked. According to the store's corporate sales cycle, having everything completed before the first of the month is highly encouraged and frankly, expected.

April 2009

Excel Not Recommended - The work of microbiologists, who use the latest in high-tech equipment, consumes billions of dollars annually. Yet, their use of a common software application—a major component of many gene sequencing procedures—is introducing errors into their results.
Duplication Without Reason - Successful companies experiencing record growth are not immune to bad process. One amazing story comes from W.E. Peterson, a co-founder of a multimillion dollar operation.
Putting Theory into Practice - Over at TechRepublic, writer Chip Camden reminds us that “no methodology or theory is a silver bullet.” Project success depends on the quality of execution, not blind adherence to broad principles.
Frantic Cashier - This morning at the auto repair shop, the cashier struggled to process a routine customer payment. She keyed in obscure codes to her computer, poured over handwritten notes, and checked the math with a hand held calculator.
Process and Outsourcing - Late last month, news surfaced of an IBM patent application for a “method and system for strategic global resource sourcing.” Is shuffling jobs between countries something which requires workflow analysis?
Friction Versus Frustration - Kristian Andersen of the Indianapolis-based experience design firm Kristian Andersen + Associates is ruminating on the latest business buzzwords. He thinks the notion that processes should be “frictionless” is “flat wrong.”
The Dying Process - The local marketing scene has been discussing the fate of printed handouts. Last month, mediasauce predicted the death of the brochure. Firebelly Digital insists (strong language warning) that the brochure will never die. Advertising pro Matt Gonzales sees both sides.
Salt Beside Pepper - On virtually every restaurant table in the world lies a salt and pepper shaker. A moment of contemplation reveals that this design makes for highly efficient workflow.
Process Follows People - No industry should be more focused on the well-being of people than healthcare. According to a new study however, organizations are over-emphasizing process and technology to the detriment of workers.
From Trainee to Trainer - “I need to run, I am training a new employee today,” said Nancy. “You may not want to do that,” came the reply from a networking contact. “Perhaps it is she who should be training you.”
Accepted to College by Accident - Forty-six thousand hopeful applicants recently received congratulatory messages from the prestigious University of California-San Diego. Unfortunately, 29,000 of those emails were sent to people the admissions department had actually rejected.
Great Workers Surf On The Job - We all know that employees at work should be working. But according to a new study, those who spend a bit of time at the office goofing around online are actually more productive than their colleagues.
Summit: Continuous Improvement Primer - The final session at the Indianapolis Productivity Summit last Monday was an overview of popular approaches for “continuous improvement.”
Summit: Workplace Productivity Tools - Last Monday, attendees of the Indianapolis Productivity Summit spent the first afternoon session talking specifically about Workplace Productivity Tools.
Summit: Power Modeling - Self Training - The second session at the Indianapolis Productivity Summit was dedicated to Power Modeling, a series of techniques for self training on technology tools.
Summit: Managing Email Productivity - The first event at the Indianapolis Productivity Summit on Monday was Managing Email Productivity. For ninety minutes, the group reviewed the challenges of email: the biggest threat to getting any work done.
Summit Retrospective - On Monday, March 30, Slaughter Development hosted the Indianapolis Productivity Summit. Each of the four 90 minute session drew more than 30 attendees for an interactive discussion on ways to work smarter.

March 2009

Innovation Through Pizza - With the immense amount of emerging technology, the idea that “anything is possible” never seems too far out of reach. One such recent achievement, an Italian pizza vending machine, brings another fascinating twist to innovation.
Rotten Attitudes In The Workplace - To many of us, the saying “one bad apple ruins a bunch” conjures up memories of overbearing lectures we received as children. But how true is this statement in the adult world of work? According to one source, “bad apples” an the office can slow down productivity, diminish creativity and prevent successful completion of projects.
A Summit is Coming - On Monday, March 30, Slaughter Development hosts the Indianapolis Productivity Summit, a full day of courses on working smarter.
Shortcuts to Productivity? - As Americans diligently strive for personal and occupational success, productivity improvement schemes continue to gain momentum and support. Yet, between old-fashioned “know-how” and fancy technological solutions, what is the best strategy in the race for ultimate efficiency?
Innovation Deterred At NASA - A recent Youtube video depicts innovation and workflow problems at NASA. Watch the clip to see how employees trapped through compartmentalization hinder the development of bright ideas.
Satisfied Customers, Satisfied Employees - Lorraine Ball of Indianapolis marketing firm RoundPeg placed a brief quip on her company blog. She believes “when employees love your company your customers will too!”
The Office's "Sweet" Mistake - The hit NBC comedy The Office features a neurotic, naive and often unruly character in “boss man” Michael Scott. The show is famous for uncomfortable workplace moments and many of the scenes feel as if they are based in reality. Yet behind the entertainment, the premise begs the question: how do leaders emerge and how could incompetent fools become the boss?
Obsession with Done - Media darling Bre Pettis has circling the web this week thanks to 20 minutes of work. Done, he asserts, is what matters, and all productivity arises from an obsession with done.
The Ultimate Library Fine - The new Central Library in downtown Indianapolis ran two years and $50 million dollars over budget. Now, the courts will decide who is at fault and who has to pay.
Corrections To Usability Brings Profit - Every business dreams of making millions. For one company in particular, hitting the jackpot didn't come from selecting winning numbers in the Super 7 Lotto. Instead, all it took was changing a simple icon.
Indiana Social Security Numbers Publicized - One downfall to the endless possibilities of the Internet is the existence of identity theft. Recently, nearly 9,000 current and former Indiana state employees had their social security numbers posted to a public website leaving many vulnerable. Though the breach was quickly corrected, one has to wonder how such a mistake could have occurred in the first place.
Businesses Pained By Lead Tests - Everybody knows lead is dangerous. A heightened awareness and avoidance of products like lead paint is vital to public safety. Unfortunately for smaller companies, expensive new regulations for independent testing may force many to go out of business.

February 2009

A Stellar Engagement - Recently, Slaughter Development met with Barbara Jones of Stellar Training. She asked one of the most difficult questions about methodology engineering: what happens when people are afraid that increases in productivity will cost them their jobs?
The Non-Language of Offices - A recent article from the BBC lists fifty different phrases that permeate the modern workplace. But does this type of language actually help businesses be more productive?
Leadership Competence: An Oxymoron? - The boss is supposed to be the person with the answers, who is decisive, well-informed and supermely confident. Why then does it seem like so many managers are clueless?
Brute Force Positive Thinking - Gretchen Rubin is running The Happiness Project at Slate.com, a new blog focused on upbeat thinking. This week, she offers nine tips for dealing with a “happiness emergency.”
One Gadget, One Decade - Last month, BusinessWeek tech writer Roger Kay brought a sleek‚ portable computer to the annual Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. But unlike the rest of the cutting edge gadgets, his trusty notebook is over ten years old.
Berkun on Change - According to noted author Scott Berkun, change has nothing to do with the latest technology. Rather, innovation comes from taking risks and embracing new ideas.
Process Abandonment, Wrongful Detention - Legal immigrants in Australia are supposed to receive letters from the government letting them know the status of their visa. For one unfortunate man however, the mail was never sent, leaving him wrongfully imprisoned for five years.
For Sale: Service Which is Not Available - The words “we’ll take care of it” from any company should be music to a consumer’s ears. After all, one less responsibility is great when the weekly to-do list is already overflowing. But what happens when a promise is left unfulfilled?
30 Days Without Email - Like almost every office worker, Katie Goodman was drowning in email. She decided to fight back by abandoning her inbox entirely for a single month.
Super Signs You Need a New Job - Superbowl Sunday is the epitome of American football and the pinnacle of American advertising. Commercials during the big game can cover any topic—even the disatisfaction many will face when they return to work on Monday morning.
Termination by "Mr. Nice Guy" - In the humor publication The Onion a spoof editorial relays an annoying workplace conversation where the question, “Hey you got a second?”, is followed by the worst possible news. Although satire, this piece offers a vivid picture of workplace communication gone bad.
The Exhausted, Fantastic Candidate - Last last week, an incoming response to a startup company’s job posting looked especially promising—except for a glaring typo in the subject line. But instead of hitting “delete”, the manager sent a quick reply back to the candidate.

January 2009

Failure: The Secret to Success - Making a decision at work sometimes feels like sliding a quarter down a slot machine. Every chance taken is a gamble between success and failure. But without placing bets or playing cards, can we find success and make our dreams reality?
Waste Not, Get Sued - Eddie House got so good at recycling, composting and reducing his waste that he decided to cancel his garbage service. The official response to his earth-friendly efforts? Sued by local government.
Plan to Survive - Henry Efroymson, partner at local Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller, offers nine advisories for companies in the current economic whirlwind.
University to State: Consolidate! - A Ball State University study explains how local government reform could save Indiana taxpayers $620 billion each year. The evidence is forty years of data on consolidation.
Less than Due Process - Police in Queensland, Australia, are releasing some criminals on bail rather than holding them in custody. The new computer records system is so slow and convoluted, officers are even reluctant to make arrests for fear of having to use the application.
Cube Farms Are Unhealthy - An open-plan office might save on construction costs, but another study has demonstrated that cubicles lead to reduced productivity and increased stress.
Reply-All for Gridlock - State Department employees have been warned not to use the “reply-all” feature on their email programs, as a recent message storm nearly took down a major internal communication systems. According to the Associated Press, an accidental press of the shift key will invoke unspecified “disciplinary actions.”
Outsmarting the Carjackers - When Alan Heuss of Columbus, OH had his car stolen at gunpoint, he assumed the vehicle was lost forever. Then, he realized his cellphone could be used to trap the thieves. A deceptive text message tricked the criminals into revealing their location to the police.
Excel Macro, You're Hired - The social media website Reddit, which encourages discussion on a variety of topics, recently hosted a message board conversation between programmers. The topic: “How many of you are working with at least 1 person who you could replace with an Excel macro?”
Investing in the Competition - When the Sony Corporation partnered with IBM and Toshiba to design a new processor for the next generation PlayStation 3, everyone understood that IBM might someday sell the chips to another customer. However, no one thought to structure the tri-lateral agreement to prevent such a competitor like Microsoft from buying the processors before they were even finished.
Efficiency the Japanese Way - Thanks to some recent reforms, Maine is a great place to die. The average time required to issue death certificates is down from over three months to just five days. These dramatic improvements in local governments come from a methodology engineering approach called “kaizen”, which originated in Japan.
Counting is Fundamental - Babies who are brand new to the world are not only adorable, but brilliant. According to The Economist, they can differentiate between two and three objects.

December 2008

The Extremely Scenic Route - An Amtrak train filled with 450 passengers was scheduled to leave at 2:15PM on Monday, but was stuck in Chicago’s Union Station until 1:22PM on Tuesday. Those on board had no access to food, water or reliable restrooms.
Additional Streams of Bribery - Middle class Americans might hope to generate some extra income by running a home-based business, taking a second job or managing some rental property, but the struggling Russian economy provides less options. The only way for many to get by is krutimsya, meaning “we hustle [for bribes].”
Bad Economy Brings Longer Weekends - There's good news for professionals on the cusp of unemployment: Accept three day weekends and you get to keep your job. Instead of having employees work overtime to compensate for financial distress, employers are handing out, believe it or not, vacation time.
Passion for Plates - In 1985, Dr. Roy Koltz, Jr discovered a vintage 1913 Mississippi license plate. With only two in existence this scrap of metal is worth more than $35,000. Other plates are worth nearly twice that, including what Forbes contributor Zach O’Malley Greenburg calls the “holy grail of license plates”: the 1921 Alaska, priced at $60,000.
Under the Influence of Texting - The Indianapolis Star reports that state senator Tom Wyss is proposing a ban aimed at teenagers prohibiting text messaging while driving. Enforcement is one way to react to dangerous behavior, but the legislature should consider controlling opportunities as well as punishing mistakes.
LOL, You're Fired - Private counselor Ruth Luban has devoted her career to assisting the recently unemployed. A short video interview from The Big Money reports that more companies are using e-mail to communicate layoffs and dismissals.
Loving a Dirty Job - Mike Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel show Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, doesn’t just adore his own work. He notes that stars of his program—with their unusual, disgusting jobs—are surprisingly ecstatic about their own careers. Who could love a dirty job?
All You Can Eat Or Else - A New York City all-you-can-eat restaurant is playing the role of your mother. Leave uneaten food on your plate, and you will be subject to a hefty surcharge.

November 2008

Search Results: Influenza - Google usually answers your questions, but now it can predict the future. Flu Trends aggregates historical search data to foretell where the flu will strike next. Is there anything Google doesn't know?
You Can't Patent Process - A federal appeals court has issued a powerful ruling for methodology engineering: business processes cannot be patented.

October 2008

Death to Performance Reviews - Dr. Samuel Culbert, a leading business professor from UCLA, hates performance reviews. “To my way of thinking,” he asserts, “a one-side-accountable, boss-administered review is little more than a dysfunctional pretense [to preserve authority].”

August 2008

Flights Cancelled, Answers Deferred - A computer failure in New York's JFK airport led to huge luggage delays, five cancelled flights and two days of headaches. Airline foul-ups aren’t news, but the words from a company official quoted by Ireland Online are downright frustrating: “She could not estimate when the system will be working again or how many passengers have been affected.”

July 2008

Mayor's Delayed Action Center - The Mayor’s Action Center in Indianapolis receives over 200,000 calls each year, mostly to inform local government about issues like broken traffic signals, stray animals, illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles and graffiti. MAC’s work is a massive endeavor and great public service, but according to StarWatch, “they print out Web forms and send them in interoffice mail to the appropriate department.”

June 2008

More Choices, More Waste - As much as 10% of all supermarket food is dumped because it spoils before it can be sold. This amounts to $20 billion in annual waste in America alone. The cause may be from too many choices for consumers.

February 2008

A Golden Handshake - We have all exchanged a friendly handshake with a stranger when introduced by a mutual friend. For Mark Gurrieri, this experience saved him from a rare and deadly form of brain cancer.

January 2008

Europe Leads in IT Efficiency - The US is falling behind counterparts in Europe in providing beneficial technology services, according to a study by Computer Associates. The issues are not with product knowledge, expertise or system availability, but the quality of processes.
Winning by Failing - Paul Brown of the New York Times recently tackled why failure may be better than success. “If everything goes right all the time,” he explains, “you are less likely to try something new.”
Disorganization Causes Disappearances - Is it unreasonable to say that black holes exist only in outer space? To the disorganized employee, peeved by their own mess, perhaps not. The notion of an ominous vacuum that sucks up everything from emails to files to bagged lunches is not only a plausible argument, but a fantastic scapegoat.
Paying by the Hour - These days, dropping $4 for a cappuccino or two grand for a fancy flatscreen television is a considered a typical purchase, not a wasteful extravagance. Tipping waitstaff 20% or slipping a few extra bucks to a skycap is standard practice. Popular opinion on billable hourly rates for professional services, however, varies from begrudging acceptance to outright mockery. Should we open our wallets or raise our fists?
From Russia, With Frustration - If you are concerned about productivity in your workplace, you are not alone. Even Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the principal issue with his nation’s economy is “extreme inefficiency.”

November 2007

Drastic Measures, Drastic Results - Washington state lawmakers decided to curb property tax growth in 2001 with a fixed 1% cap. The extreme measure has forced towns to reduce police protection, decommission fire trucks, close municipal pools and abandon public safety projects. Many wonder if the cap is helping.
Printing Errors Violate Trust - When renewal forms were sent out in the mail to the members of the Australian Football League, they naturally contained personal information including the name, address, phone number and birth date of the recipient. Unfortunately, an error resulted in printing the same data for a different member appearing on the reverse.

October 2007

"La Dolce Vita" of Waiting - In Prato, Italy, it sometimes takes so long for the government to process residence renewal permits that by the time they are ready to be picked up, they have already expired.

August 2007

Infrastructure Means Commitment - An opinion piece from the famous Brookings Institution discusses the reaction to the Minneapolis bridge collapse. Many are asking for a instant response to inspect other bridges and emergency appropriations, but the problem may be systemic.
Friendly but Bloated Skies - Of all of the Star Alliance partners, South Africa Airlines (SAA) may be at the bottom of the heap. A recent study indicates that SAA has five times as many employees per plane as some of their competitors.

July 2007

Untangling Technology - The New York Times recently reported on the rise of usability professionals; individuals dedicated to making technology easier to use. Curiously, these experts are nicknamed “untanglers.”

June 2007

Paid for Failure? - In dire need of a new payroll system, the Los Angeles United School District (LAUSD) engaged Deloitte Consulting to the tune of $55 million. Yet the problems and overruns during implementation have caused an uproar in the ranks of teachers and employees, who demand remedy. LAUSD has agreed to another $9.6 million to fix the issues, spending that money (once again) to pay Deloitte.
Inefficiency Far from Home - The names might sound unfamiliar, but a recent story in a Pakistan's newspaper reports on inefficiencies in local community boards that might well be in your own hometown.

May 2007

Unsolved Due to Workflow Error - The British government maintains an ambitious registry of over four million DNA samples used in crime fighting. However, some major data entry problems have left nearly 200 crimes undetected.

April 2007

Justice in Jamaica - When Horace Harding pled guilty to a serious traffic offense, he accepted his fate and served a 30-day sentence in prison. Unfortunately, the system designed to record his compliance with the sentence took several weeks to catch up. Harding was then picked up by the police, and because of the processing delay, could not prove he had already cleared the warrant. The slow pace of bureacracy sent Horace Harding to jail twice for only one crime.

February 2007

The Costs of Network Traffic - Network connections between computers, servers and other devices might seem insigificant compared to the energy required to run the equipment itself. However, according to The Register, the world's packet-switched networks are wasting a billion dollars in power costs.

December 2006

America's Complicated Pastime - If a baseball team in the United States wants to hire an impressive player from Japan, they are not allowed to make an offer directly. Instead, the league organizes a silent auction and any interested party can place a bid. Some commentators believe this secrecy is inflating the market, making foreign players unreasonably expensive.
Measuring Grocery Visits - Business researchers at the Wharton School are focusing on the way we shop, according to Forbes. Some paths through the supermarket are more efficient than others, and understanding this variation is chaning grocery store layout from intuition to science.

September 2006

To Save Cars, Drive More - In Fairfax County, Virginia, a government auditor noticed that many of the vehicles in the official government fleet were barely used. In response, the county agreed to reassign cars which were driven less than 4,500 miles annually. The change inspired some bureacrats to come up with excuses to travel, just so they would not lose their coveted government vehicles.

March 2006

Breaking the Law in 20 Words (Or Less) - A recent op-ed piece in the New York Times by Michael Crichton states a scientific claim which happens to be copyrighted. Here's a hint: it's an expansion on the idea that vitamins are good for you.

February 2006

Right Place, Right Time, Wrong Process - When the Enron scandal unfolded, the Securites and Exchange Commission rejoiced in the public interest for finding corruption on Wall Street. To address the concerns, Mr. Harvey L. Pitt, SEC Chairman, formed the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Unfortunately he opted for a poor process for choosing members of the board.

January 2006

When Hearings Mean Speeches - The Senate confirmation hearings for potential Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito are part of a time-honored American tradition. Every committee member has thirty minutes to ask questions, but most of this time is not used for either questions or answers. Instead, senators spend most of their time promoting themselves.
Kafka's Traffic Ticket - Last year, Mark Frauenfelder of Boing Boing learned firsthand that if an outstanding traffic ticket was not recorded in the computer system, payment could not be accepted. His wife (the guilty party) might face tremendous late penalties because the database at the LA Superior Court—and their employees—could not handle a tiny exception.

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