An article recently in 99U had this headline, and it really caught my attention. And you can read it here. Working through the available research, author Oliver Burkeman points out that most likely we “chronically confuse the feeling of effort with the reality of results”. That is, just because we have spent a long time at work doesn’t mean we have actually achieved anything of significance.
Burkeman highlights the “labour illusion” which is where people are more concerned that a job appeared to take an appropriate amount of time rather than whether it was actually done properly. He gives examples like the locksmith that became so good at his job he was able to do most things in little time, but then his customers complained that they felt cheated that it took him so little time and effort. Also, you know that little whirly thing on flight search pages that spins about while you are waiting for the best deal available? Well people would rather wait for a longer time with that showing, than not have it showing and get the results quicker, because it looks like the site is “working hard”.
He also brings to attention the “Effort Trap”, whereby spending a 10 hour day barely achieving anything other than routine is felt more worthy than spending two hours “in deep hard concentration on hard thinking, followed by a leisurely afternoon off”. Yet the two hours is more effective than the 10. Yet we still fall trap to the idea that hard work is what ultimately matters.
This idea lives in too many workplaces, where promotion is linked to the boss sensing the effort and hard work resulting from long hours, rather than your outputs. It should be more about making sure you are doing the right things, rather than just doing a lot of things.
Burkeman advises us to spend the first two hours of our workday on the most important tasks, and challenges us to consider limiting our working hours. Being tired at the end of the day is not a good indicator of a day well spent.
The Avondale Business School can advise your organisation on being effective in these areas – find out how by contacting Warrick Long at the Avondale Business School.
P: 02 4980 2168
Few topics have as much written about them as that of leadership, and it is very difficult keeping pace with the new ideas and thoughts on the subject. One book that has been released recently is Lead Like it Matters by Roxi Bahar Hewitson (available for loan through the Avondale College Library shortly). This is an honest look at leadership and does not trivialize how difficult it can be.
One recent reviewer, Peter Economy, has picked out eight key insights from the book that will enable you to develop significantly as a leader (full article here). These key insights as identified by Economy are:
What I particularly like in this list is the recognition that leadership is “messy” and involves managing relationships and unquantifiable issues. Leadership is about people - not machines, relationships – not rules. What about you?
The Avondale Business School can help you and your team develop leadership skills – find out how by contacting Warrick Long at the Avondale Business School.
P: 02 4980 2168
Opportunity comes our way….
I often bump into or get connected with some of my high school or college class/college mates. This sends me to the world of reflection and memory mode trying to recollect details about this old friend or acquaintance of mine. When things get put together and I can see how things have changed over time in regards to this person. How he or she is faring now and what sort of opportunities were taken by this friend. How successful an opportunity has turned in to for this friend?
Time and time I notice that one thing is common to many of my friends who have been successful and unsuccessful in career or life can be pointed to the opportunity that was seized or missed out in the right time and place.
Two thoughts come up in regards to opportunities and they are so true when we look back and the reality is that it happens to us too.
“Many of us wait for opportunity to knock on our doors. However, most successful people are prolific door openers and do not wait for knocks.”
“Many times SUCCESS is more about DOING the things you know you should do, not waiting to learn the ‘secrets’ that you don’t know.”
Another motivational quote that I found on the web that reads like this;
“Lucky people get opportunities; Brave people create opportunities; And Winners are those that convert problems into Opportunity.”
There are numerous illustrative stories told where opportunity plays a key role in the lives of people’s success. Here are a few links for you to connect and read them.
http://www.jackharpster.com/helping_hands_helping_hearts_opportunity_village.html
http://www.pravsworld.com/making-the-most-of-every-opportunity/
http://www.fropky.com/when-opportunity-knocks-vt35574.html
http://www.seeksuccess.com/million-turned-20-5-stories-opportunity-determination/
- David Wilson -
Lecturer, Avondale Business School
How often when you think of your work environment do you consciously think of mental health? New statistics indicate that 75% of senior business leaders in Australia now realise that mental health should be an increasing focus within workplaces.
A year ago, boyondblue, a mental health not-for-profit entity, and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance initiated the ‘Heads Up’ program aimed at providing information, resources and strategies to help workplaces implement action plans for improvement in this area.
A significant change in attitudes towards mental health occurred within more than 300 senior leaders and other managers of Australian businesses. A report from Social research agency TNS said the number of senior leaders who indicated they had information and materials regarding mental health at work had risen to almost two-thirds, an increase of 29% since the launch of ‘Heads Up’. More than half (54 per cent) these senior managers also said their workplaces were running mental health awareness training, also an increase of 29%.
The impact of employees’ mental health conditions cost Australian employers at least $10.9 billion a year. However, a PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by beyondblue last year found that for every $1 invested in effective mental health strategies, Australian businesses received an average return of $2.30.
Business Council Australia CEO, Jennifer Westacott, said such outcomes show businesses are increasingly understanding the economic and health benefits of mentally healthy workplaces, stating “The return on investment is clear…. Mentally healthier workplaces deliver for everyone – employees, employers, customers and shareholders”.
Perhaps in the future the link between metal health and the work environment will be even more clear.
- Peter Williams - ABS HR Specialist
Positivity is a key to great leadership, creating long term benefits to the organisation rather than short term gains produced from negativity, fear-mongering and pessimism.
In a recent online article in Inc. Peter Economy (Read it Here) outlined four basic beliefs that every great leader has:
What employee wouldn’t want to work with a leader who lived and espoused these beliefs? They instil confidence, trust, pride and a sense of empowerment that brings out the best in people and can only add value to the organisation. In the full article Economy expands on these four beliefs, and it is well worth the short amount of time to read these.
Take a moment to consider your leadership, or that of your leaders, and see whether your organisation is based on positivity or pessimism. The Avondale Business School can help you and your team develop great leadership skills – find out how by contacting Warrick Long at the Avondale Business School.
P: 02 4980 2168
The military is noted for excellent planning, management and leadership. Yet there is one caveat they recognise in all their planning - the maxim coined by German military strategist Helmuth von Moltke, “No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.” Which 
is all about recognising the need for flexibility and being adaptable once implementation begins.
Colonel Michael Musso shares this and other lessons from his 25 year US military career in an article published by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. These principles translate well into private enterprise for leaders to implement.
The whole article can be found here, and you will need to read it to fully unlock all the lessons and wisdom behind each of these four maxims:
After reading these, take a moment to reflect on your leadership and whether you are being a “tactical” leader.
The Avondale Business School can help you and your team develop leadership skills – find out how by contacting Warrick Long at the Avondale Business School.
P: 02 4980 2168
Just released is the August 2014 NAB Charitable Giving Index (Read it here>>) with some very interesting observations. The full report is worth a read, however, some highlights to stimulate your interest include:
So what? If you are an organisation that relies heavily on charitable giving, then this report is very important for you. Are you targeting the right groups? Are you preparing for a decline? Do you have Credit Card and EftPos facilities? You need to be addressing all of these if you want to maximise your income from charitable giving.
If you would further information on how Avondale Business School can help your organisation, contact Warrick Long
P: 02 4980 2168
If you are a committed and enthusiastic Marketing student eager to gain some experience applying your classroom lessons to real world scenarios then Avondale Business School has the opportunity you need.
We have an internship available for you in Semester 1, 2015 to come and get some experience in your field of study.
The successful applicant needs to have completed at least two years of their Marketing Major in their undergraduate degree.
To apply, send your application and Curriculum Vitae via email to [email protected] or leave a hard copy with Elna Hale at the ABS foyer.
The closing date for applications is 17 November 2014.
Seventh-day Adventist Schools (Greater Sydney) Ltd
Epping, NSW
Full Time Graduate Accounting Position
SDA Schools (GS) Ltd is seeking an experienced accounts clerk to join the busy Education team. This position will be responsible for data entry, reconciliations, accounts payables, school liaisons, supporting school bursars, and assisting the Education Accountant.
Essential Criteria:
- at least 2 years’ experience in a similar role (negotiable for graduates)
- able to work in a team environment
- good written & verbal communication skills
- a commitment to Adventist Education, its ethos and mission
Desirable Criteria:
- well developed interpersonal skills
- able to work with deadlines and under pressure
- possess initiative and self-motivation
- Maze database knowledge will be highly regarded
- Proficiency in MS office package
Other Information:
The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Australia.
Enquiries To:
Maxine Su
Phone: (02) 9868 6522
Email: [email protected]
Application Procedure:
To apply, please send your CV including 3 work related referees and a covering letter to: Maxine Su
Email: [email protected]
Applications Close: 31/10/2014
Following is the next instalment from Dr Keith Howson, the former Dean of the Business Faculty, who is officially lecturing in the US, but during their break has been seeing Europe. It's a though life! Enjoy.
Travel is always interesting because it affords an opportunity to see things through the lens of another place. We have been doing some travel in Europe and on several occasions I have been reminded of the diversity of life in the various nations where we have been and what we might learn from such experiences. For example, we travelled by train from Malaga in Spain to Barcelona on a high speed Spanish service. Top speed of 300 kph, on time departures, clean carriages and a rather good canteen service. We continued our journey via Toulouse to Poitiers, and on to Paris all on a French TGV with similar experiences. The Eurostar took us on to London. On this section of the railroad we saw the trains dedicated to cargo traffic in a service lightheartedly referred to as via the “Chunnell.” Our final train ride was on the HST from London to Edinburgh and back. I marveled at the strength and robustness of this important component of commercial infrastructure. On each section of the ride we saw many holiday makers but also a fair number of people in suits with laptops. I wondered about how different it might be if we had such a service between Sydney and Brisbane, or Canberra or even to Melbourne. At 300 kph with limited stops and no airport hassles it would be an amazing way to journey. Security checks are in place in Europe so that cannot be avoided but not being at a departure point an hour or more before embarking certainly makes it a good deal easier to move people and cargo seamlessly between major destinations
