Productivity

I work in a lean, mean, big office. Don't get me wrong - after the 2003 I had, I'm incredibly thankful about it.

A big part of our current economic growth spurt is due to increasing productivity. This is a good thing.

But there is still room to grow. Here's how I know.

I'm in the midst of my fifth week on this job. There's a woman that sits kitty-corner from me. She has been planning a surprise party for her husband. For 160-odd guests.

For an hour or two a day, every day, for the past four weeks (except for some vacation time around the holidays where, for all I know, she was still doing the planning, but I obviously can't confirm it).

I can tell you this:

1. This party is planned at a level of detail that CENTCOM could have only dreamed of before invading Iraq. The beer kegs, for example, WILL be deployed on time, or heads will roll. I know this beyond a shadow of a doubt.
2. This couple's friends are serious drinkers. This is not a surprise to me, having worked at a bunch of dotcoms that floated to their deadlines (and eventually dooms) on rivers of vodka, but there people are in their late forties/early fifties. Formidable.
3. You'd have to ask King from the Scholars, but I think the concept in play here is "latent capacity" - productive capacity that is not fully utilized for whatever reason. When this party is over and this woman starts spending her time and energy on her actual project again, I expect growth forecasts to be nudged up another tenth of a point, easily.

More as conditions warrant.

Posted by Mitch at January 7, 2004 05:50 AM