Friends - We think about this every day and measure productivity quantitatively. Generally the Key Performance Indicators are tied to new customers, sales revenues, products sold, services offered, profit margins, etc.

Traditionally we measured productivity using total value divided by hours worked (or simply output / input ) in various use cases.

Productivity = Total value of work / Total hours worked

Productivity

Last week, during a lunch meeting, my mentor introduced the concept of Value calculation to become #GreatAtWork and referred the book written by

@MortenTHansen

I am duty bound to share this to a larger audience as Value calculation explained by him was so relevant and can be applied in our work / personal life.

Value of a person's work = Benefits to others x quality x efficiency

We infer 3 important insights:-

  1. Benefits to Others -- You may clock 60-70 hours / week but if the organization does not benefit, value would be Zero (even though it is of the highest quality!)
  2. Quality -- Ask questions and always introspect why are we doing something. Quality of work can be greatly improved if we practice "active listening" (to ensure accurate completion as per customer needs)
  3. Efficiency -- It can be improved significantly by automating mundane / repetitive tasks, providing training sources, and through effective communication.

Which is more important? All of them!

Pay close attention to X (mathematical sign) as Value could become a BIG ZERO even if we miss one of the three factors and if we get it right, total Value would be a HUGE MULTIPLIER!!

Let us work on Value Creation and make the world a better place.

Value Creation

Consider these ideas for value creation :-

  1. Spend 4 hours / week at a senior care center to help them learn to use mobile devices effectively (Immeasurable happiness when they chat with their millennial grand children)
  2. Teach a life skill to a student / or a needy person for few weeks (Relish the change and enjoy the impact it made due to your selfless activity)
  3. Mentor a co-worker or a team member and help them succeed in a project that they are struggling with (Observe how they feel as they go through the transformation and taste success)

Are you creating value?