"75 Ways" Could Be a New Hit CD

There may be 50 ways to leave your lover. But there are at least 75 ways to schedule your shiftworkers. Unlike the Paul Simon song, the new CD was released to help smaller organizations handle scheduling problems. The scarcity of information about 24/7 schedules makes this new CD a real hit with small business owners.

SAN RAFAEL, CA-October 7, 2002--There may be 50 ways to leave your lover. But there are at least 75 ways to schedule your shiftworkers. And they all are available on CD.

Sure, you can still buy a copy of Paul Simons song with lyrics suggesting 50 ways to break off a love affair. Now you can also purchase 75 different 24/7 shift schedules on a CD. The latter isnt a song, mind you. Its a resource for organizations that operate around-the-clock, seven days a week.

The new CD was released to help smaller organizations handle scheduling problems. Studies indicate that most organizations with continuous operations will have to modify or replace their work schedules at one time or another.

Unfortunately, information that might allow smaller companies to create do-it-yourself" schedules is scarce. Few books and articles are written on the subject. And while there are some software programs available, most are intended to track existing schedules rather than create new ones.

There are a handful of consulting firms that specialize in designing shift schedules. But the costs of such services may be prohibitive for smaller firms.

Dan Capshaw, a partner with Shiftwork Solutions-- the consulting firm that created the 75 Ways" CD -- says the new product is designed to aid such firms.

It introduces users to the numerous scheduling options available and educates them on the advantages and disadvantages of each one," Capshaw says.

Capshaws partner, Jim Dillingham, says the CD wont pick the best schedule for the organization. But it will expose you to numerous possibilities and allow you to pick one for yourself.

It will be particularly useful to organizations with as little as four people that need continuous coverage or need to expand to it," states Dillingham.

Buyers of the CD also get an hour of consultation time by telephone. During that hour, a consultant will explain the details of a selected schedule, answer questions, discuss implementation strategies and make minor modifications to meet the users specific needs.

The CD contains eight and twelve-hour schedules, both rotating and fixed as well as such features as a table showing the day-on, day-off pattern, another listing 18 specific schedule measures, a spreadsheet that displays the schedule over a full calendar year, presentation charts and a discussion of management, health and lifestyle issues.

The CD can be purchased on Shiftwork Solutions web site at www.shift-work.com or by calling the firm at (415) 472-3688. Shiftwork Solutions is a consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations with multi-shift operations.