New Book May Cause Huge Gains in Business Productivity

A new book called "Working the Clock" has the potential to significantly boost productivity and change how business and industry works by automating some decision-making, by making sure workers can be held accountable, and by allowing executives to spot problems as they develop so they can react to them in real time.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) January 29, 2007 -- Business book publisher Oaklea Press has issued a new title called "Working the Clock" that its management believes may change how business works.

"Most people would say technology already has changed business and has significantly helped increase productivity in the past ten years," said Stephen Hawley Martin, a former principal of the internationally-known marketing communications firm, The Martin Agency, and current publisher of Oaklea. "But most don't realize the surface has just been scratched. All that's holding back an enormous technological revolution is the large number of executives who have no idea the amazing things technology can do for them today. You might say many CEOs, CFOs and other C level executives don't know what they don't know."

Unfortunately, many people who are really into technology tend to speak a slightly different language than the rest of us

In a company employing this new technology, managers and workers operate in an environment that provides real time alerts and presents options that help them arrive at decisions that clearly follow strategic directives from top management. Managers and workers know they can be held accountable because their actions become part of a permanent record that is sent to higher ups for review. This encourages managers and workers to support corporate goals and policy rather than to pursue personal agendas.

Martin countered the view that such technology may constitute an invasion of privacy.

"People who are drawing a paycheck are supposed to be working for the good of a company, not themselves," he said. "But a 2005 study by Gallup says that more than half of Amercian workers [54% are not engaged, in other words goofing off, and as many as one in six [17% are actively disengaged and may be working against their employers in ways that extend from undermining to fraud. These people will have a bright light turned on them by this technology."

Martin explained that the latest software uses data from time and attendance and other business systems to create visibility into the work environment at every level. The result is that potential problems and unnecessary expenses often can be headed off before they occur. Software can be programmed to make routine decisions. Workers can be deployed only when they are needed and where they are needed. Budgets can be tracked and managed on a real-time basis.

Martin said that only a relatively small number of people who work in time and attendance and information technology know the amazing things workforce technology can do nowadays to get everyone pulling together for the common good.

"Unfortunately, many people who are really into technology tend to speak a slightly different language than the rest of us," he said.

Martin believes the situation should change very quickly because, according to him, "Working the Clock" is written in plain English in a very readable style.

"It explains what workforce management technology can do in a way anyone can quickly grasp. The book is full of 'ah-ha' experiences that will get the thought wheels turning of any executive who's trying to get everyone working together toward company goals."

"Working the Clock" is available from Amazon.com or at http://www.WorkingtheClock.com.

The Oaklea Press was founded in 1995 and publishes business books intended to help executives run businesses more efficiently. It has several current best sellers in the lean manufacturing and the product development fields. Oaklea's full line of business books can be viewed at http://www.LeanTransformation.com.

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