Did you know that working longer hours can actually have a counterproductive effect? You end up working longer but less productively, with poorer results. Studies indicate that below 49 weekly hours, variations in output are proportional to variations in hours. But when people work more than about 50 hours, output rises well at a decreasing rate. In other words, output per hour falls!
Moreover, the absence of a rest day (like Sunday) damages hourly output. This should be concerning for many of us (particularly small business owners) who are always on, always connected.
How does New Zealand stack up?
Productivity is a big issue in New Zealand where government statistics have shown that New Zealanders work about 15% longer than the OECD average to produce about 20% less output per person. New Zealanders are already amongst the hardest working people in the OECD but for the past 40 years New Zealand’s labour productivity has been slowly but surely falling behind other OECD economies. New Zealand’s labour productivity now ranks in the lower third of OECD countries and is similar to Slovenia.
Productivity measures are also relevant for networking at BNI. Just because you are always connected via technology and have a huge number of contacts through social media, doesn’t mean you are building productive relationships and strengthening your network. As has been mentioned on numerous occasions, it is the quality not the quantity of your connections that lead to the strongest networks and the most valuable referrals.
So how can you work smarter at BNI? Three ways to become a more productive networker
1. First, think about the structure of your chapter. Core relationships should result in more learning and greater growth and balance. The people in your chapter should model positive behaviour, because if those around you are enthusiastic, authentic, and generous, you will be, too. Bring people with positive energy into your chapter and they will impact positively on you.
2. Next, take some time after each meeting to tick off some action points. For example:
- Set up a one-on-one you’ve promised to do
- Follow through on details and introduction on referrals given – they are the lifeblood of BNI
- Spend five minutes thinking about a visitor you can invite – from your contacts, perhaps contacting a name you know that would bring business and increased energy to your chapter.
3. Finally, plan for the longer term. The most successful chapters are those that set longer term goals. These should be visible to all members so everyone is working together towards this common set of goals. Think about things like the number of referrals you want to generate, the number of members you’d like by the end of the year and the types of businesses or visitors you are looking to attract. Planning for the longer term will make your chapter far more productive and improve referrals.
