Weight gaining problems

Channel Insider posted about IT workers weight gaining problems in USA. Original research is done by CareerBuilder. The results are remarkable: 34 percent of the polled participants told that they had put on weight more than 5kg (10lbs) in their current positions. But that is not enough. 17 percent of them told that they’ve put wight more than 9kg (20lbs). That is a lot.

It reminded me from the research performed by Finnish Defence Forces. At the start of their service all the enlisted have to participate to health check. According to their test results from 2004 the average weight had increased 4.5kg since 1993. The same research results reveal that average distance in the Cooper’s 12 minutes running test have dropped from 2760 metres in 1979 to only 2430 metres in 2004. That is a significant difference. Charts below in Finnish (Average weight = Keskipaino, Running test = Juoksutesti).

All of these are very worrying results. It is no secret that overweight is a serious health risk. According to US Surgeon General Even moderate weight excess (10 to 20 pounds for a person of average height) increases the risk of death, particularly among adults aged 30 to 64 years.

Those who regularly exercise know how much it affects to quality of life. Simple and efficient advice: Eat less, exercise more!

Photo’s above used under CC Licence, Credits to callme_crochet. Tables used by the courtesy of Finnish Defence Forces.

Critical success factor analysis as a tool for strategy execution

Few years ago I participated an executive education program in SIMI, Copenhagen. One of the learnings I’ve used afterwards the most was a strategy audit method introduced by professor Ralf Boscheck.

The key question is What are the critical success factors of your strategy? Now you may say “Hey, we have that kind of list already!”. Most of the critical success factor lists I’ve seen are truly lame. Really, they’re same type as the traditional statement “Our employees are our key success factor”. Yes, that’s very critical success factor, but not really precise. What kind of employees and which part of organization? A real deep dive to critical success factors really pay off when executing your strategy.

This is how it basically goes: Split any of your critical success factor in to three parts: 1) Assets needed to manage the factor, 2) Capabilities – people – needed to execute the factor and 3) Systems (not IT) needed for managing the business process of that particular critical part. If you compare those individual factors to your best competitor or to market ideal you’ll find the gaps to them. Based on the gap analysis you are able to define the precise areas where key strategic initiatives are needed.

This spring I’ve noticed that it is worth of considering to integrate strategy maps and balanced scorecard thinking for above described method. At least a simple strategy map is good solution to communicate growth, process, customer and financial perspectives of the defined strategic initiatives.

Splitting the success factors into three pieces, analyzing the gap and executing initiatives to reach the gaps that your competitors have and pass them. Add P&L, risk analysis, go trough at least couple scenarios and finally map your strategy and there you are. Simple, very efficient and easy to communicate.

Update July 2, 2009: This recent post is related to the topic above.

Picture above used under CC license. Credits to JPhilipson.

“Let’s do push-ups”

Choreographer Twyla Tharp was asked, what advice she would offer to Steve Jobs (HBR, Apr 2008). Her answer is a great reminder especially for all of us travelling a lot.

“Hit the deck – let’s do 30 push-ups”. One of the things I think I have to offer people is the knowledge that using your body makes your brain work better. Movement stimulates our brains in ways we don’t appreciate. She ends the interview, I suffer greatly when I travel, ans so I travel less and less. So I’d tell Mr. Jobs: “Let’s dance!”

Photo above used under CC license. Credits to drgandy.

Online PVR service helps expats’ life

I got recommendation from Jaakko to use TVKaista.fi, which is a Finland based online PVR service. It is a very simple to use. You just select channels you want to be recorded for you and then watch the programs you want when you have time. All Finnish major channels are available.

It was a positive surprise for me how well it works. The quality is good enough and it is really very easy to use. Of course the company charges for the usage, but the pricing seems to be quite moderate.

There is a small problem. Finnish national broadcasting company YLE has stated that the service violates its rights. Probably not a surprise to anyone, but TVKaista.fi thinks totally the opposite. Nevertheless, I think it is a warmly welcomed service for expats like me. This service may bring some help for those who miss 8:30pm news in their native language or their favourite series while abroad,