Transforming Profitability Through a Culture of Productivity with Amanda Sokell
Link to the book review.
The podcast is a conversation between Amanda and Robert Craven discussing Amanda's new book "Unblock" about productivity in organisations.
Amanda Sokell is a process and productivity expert who helps companies thrive. She’s also a popular speaker, author, entrepreneur, creative, polymath and educationalist; lover of learning, chocolate, dancing and difference.
In a 25-year career spanning public relations, software development, coaching, mentoring and training, Amanda has helped transform the productivity culture of organizations from global pharmaceuticals to family-run microbusinesses.
Amanda and Robert discussed:
Book Background
Amanda wrote the book based on her extensive experience in project management, particularly in software development and system implementations. She noticed that many projects fail to deliver significant productivity improvements when not aligned with broader business strategies.
Productivity Insights
Amanda highlights a critical observation from a Vistage behavioural economist who suggested that to meet pension demands, businesses need to become three times more productive.
Productivity Measurement
Amanda discusses a key productivity metric called output per worker, which is:
Calculated as gross value added (revenue less external invoiced costs) divided by the number of full-time equivalent employees
A universal metric recognised by the Office of National Statistics
Currently not widely used by most companies across industries.
Digital Agency Context
Most digital agencies currently measure productivity through utilisation rates
Typically, only fee-earning staff are included in productivity calculations
The current approach doesn't capture the productivity of the entire business system.
Broader Implications
Amanda argues that the lack of productivity focus contributes to:
Stagnant economic growth since 2008
Challenges with the standard of living
Potential economic challenges for younger generations.
The podcast aims to raise awareness about productivity measurement and its critical importance for business performance and economic development.
