As the recession continues, companies are making new efforts to sustain business and increase efficiency. At Swedish company Ericsson, a world-leading producer of fixed and mobile communication infrastructure, a study has shown that what has the most negative effect on the staff’s efficiency is the overload of emails and poorly planned meetings. A programme has been set up that is aimed at improving the situation and ultimately the economic result.
In Russia, at a new division of Energomash’s Sibenergomash plant in Siberia, all key personnel are aged 30 and under. The goal is to bring an innovative and up-to-date approach to the business – the manufacture of draft-blowing machines – that will eventually lead to better export opportunities and a greater market share in Western Europe.
Civil groups and voluntary work are close to the heart of Alice Bah Kuhnke, former head of new Swedish think tank Sektor3. Kuhnke predicts that the import-ance of the civil sector will grow as society becomes less able to support an all-embracing welfare system for its citizens.
Sweden, with a population of 9 million people, counts 32 million memberships in 160,000 organizations, indicating a strong interest in committing to activities outside of work.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. That saying might be more aptly stated: When the going gets tough, you need dedicated and creative people to step forward.
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