The productivity secret of libraries saves time, money, and prevents a lot of frustration. While you may not see it in action, you’ll definitely notice when it doesn’t happen.
The secret is that libraries have to get rid of books. This may sound unusual given the mission of libraries. But it’s important lesson in letting go of things that you can use on your job.
Productivity Secret of Libraries: Things Get Old
Even the best books will wear out over time. Paying to fix them may not make sense, as certain books have lifespan of popularity. While a bestseller may still have an audience, keeping dozens of copies may no longer make sense. Instead the library will either throw out the book or sell it.
In your world, are there things in your office that are getting old? Maybe it’s something simple like an office chair or something more complex like a process. When something is old, it’s not necessarily bad but it doesn’t help you as much as it used to.
Often when something old is updated or replaced, people will say, “Why didn’t we make the change earlier? Things are so much better now.”
Productivity Secret of Libraries: Space Costs Money
If a library never got rid of books, it would eventually become overrun with them. Shelves have a finite amount of space. While sometimes libraries move to larger facilities, that comes at a cost.
Look at your desk and your office. Has it become cluttered because people are afraid to throw things away? If moving to a larger space is not an option, then consider if you need everything. For instance, it may be time to say goodbye to your fax machine.
If you have to keep things, then consider how you save them. Many libraries no longer buy paper copies of reference materials. Instead, people can access online copies. The information is accessible to more people and won’t wear out.
For you, the cost of scanning documents may be less than having to store them.
Productivity Secret of Libraries: Information Goes Out of Date
A library is not a museum and some books have a usefulness lifespan. For instance, a ten year old book on how to use your iPhone will likely have very limited use for readers. Those who have the iPhone X could find themselves easily confused.
Other editions may no longer accurately reflect scientific discoveries or cultural norms.
In your business, is it time to consider whether some of your information needs updating? From website sales copy to customer instructions, it may be time to refresh things.
When instructions are confusing or out of date, your team has to spend a lot of time explaining processes. Good instructions save time for all.
The way information is conveyed may also need an update. A video tutorial may be much more effective than written instructions.
Conclusion
Libraries understand the secret to improved productivity sees you let go of things.
Is it time to bring Ken Okel to your next meeting…
