Microsoft wanted to know how individuals around the world were faring with their productivity. Microsoft seems the logical group to be asking this question since productivity generally follows technology. So from September, 2004 through January, 2005 they ran a survey called the 'Personal Productivity Challenge' or PPC.

The response was phenomenal. 38,000 people in over 200 countries rated their individual productivity by responding to 18 statements about work-related practices. Here are some of the results:

- Of the people who work an average of 45 hours a week, they consider 17 of those hours to be unproductive.
- The average number of emails received daily: 49.
- Workers spend 5.6 hours per week in meetings. 69% feel the meetings aren't productive.
- Most common productivity pitfalls: ineffective meetings (46%), lack of team communication (36%) and procrastination (37%).

Dr. Larry Baker of Atlanta developed the survey and his statement is right on the mark. "In my three decades of studying what makes workers productive, I've found that most crucial skills are the ability to efficiently communicate across all kinds of boundaries, share important documents and manage the increasing volumes of information."

Now remember that 95% of information is still found on paper.

Searching for information still comes down to the productivity level of the individual and his/her:

1) Skills: Have they assessed their level of need?

2) Training: "42% of executives worldwide feel improving workers skills and knowledge increases productivity." (Watson Wyatt)

3) Application: Do they receive support and feedback on their progress?

4) Tools: Using them instead of relying on them: There is no magic bullet.

5) Managing outcomes: Which tends to manage everything else.

If you want to increase productivity in your organization, start at the individual level NOW because when it comes to productivity, procrastination is not your friend.

(c) Cynthia Kyriazis