NZ workers half as productive as those in US!

[Headbanger]

We haven't so much as lost our work ethic, It just moved to Aussie.....

[HenryDorsetCase]

Economically speaking, New Zealand is what it is and will always be what it will always be: an extraordinarily beautiful milk powder and woodchip factory.

I'm not entirely sure that the average low-wage worker can make much difference to that fact via personal enthusiasm.

And, yes. NZ's part of the South Pacific and will always reflect the cultural mores of this part of the world, which do tend to involve a lot of sitting on one's arse and having another Tui.

I have difficulty growing particularly exercised over any of the above, inasmuch as I quite enjoy being here. Some might use the words 'lassitude' and 'ennui' in describing the situation; I prefer 'peace' and 'quiet'.

we'd only use those words if we knew what they meant.

.............and Tui?

really?

not something good?, like, I dunno, a poo on a stick. (because poo on a stick is better than Tui....trust me on this)

[HenryDorsetCase]

Does their measure of loss of productivity really translate at all into a loss of work ethics?
One person working in a gold mine may be more productive (according to their measure) than one preson working in a banana mine, though they may well be working just as hard and have similar work ethics.

Can you get me a job in the banana mine*?








*assuming banana mine is code for "porn industry" (and if not, why not?)

[jrandom]

Mmm, bananas.

[davereid]

I have posted this before so apologies to those who have read it.

Poor productivity gemerally means poor (or corrupt) government, lack of capital, poor infrastructure, ....

To be productive you need a few things, off the top of my head I think..

- You need access to cheap capital (cheaper than your foreign competitor at least)

- You need to minimise waste, or output wasted feeding parasites

- You need stable government that doesnt change the rules all the time, and is not corrupt.

- You need to be able to put your plans into action quickly, without waiting for un-necessary government involvement.

Lets look at two examples.

You and I are both gravediggers, in adjacent towns. There is a plentiful market for our trade, as we have lots of elderly residents.

But, my town has a low tax (rates), easy-to comply style of government. Your town has a high tax, high compliance government.

After a year, we have both worked very hard, digging a grave every single working day, and we both have $20k. I pay my rates, and you pay yours. I now have $19K, as my tax rate is the same as Singapore. You have $10k, as you are taxed in new Zealand.

After 3 years of hard work, I have $30k more in the bank than you. I also enjoy a lower interest rate than you, so I can borrow more money.

I borrow $100k, add it to my $30k and buy a JCB digger.

I can now dig 4 graves a day. So now I am more productive, but I don't work as hard. And I make more money.

You on the other hand will take years to get your digger. And when you do, you will need a permit to use it. Which will take 18 months to get.

And then, just after you get your digger, the government will invoke the "no tracked vehicles Act' without warning.

You could have chosen a wheeled digger, but you didn't see the change coming.

Now you are f*cked, so I offer you a pay rise and a digger, if you come to my town.

And your council offers to save you by putting a levy on your fuel, so it can save the world from Chinas emissions.

[Forest]

hmmmm, yes I totally belive this after seeing the lengths staff go through to help you on my recent visit to the states, especially compared to the service you find here. last weekend I asked a big Island woman at the warehouse a question about something in her section, she scoffed as she raised herself from her seat and looked for an eighth of a second on the computer screen, said na! in a pissed off way and sat down....I notice this sort of thing a lot since my return and it is really bad, I feel like I OWE a shopkeeper something now if they do their job well......and do that little bit extra.

You went to the Warehouse and expected to receive good service?

Sounds like that's your problem right there.

[alanzs]

If the Maoris worked as hard as Latinos do we'd leave America in our dust!

If only we had a place to get a good burrito, tacos, enchilada or pollo con mole, we'd show the world!

[The Stranger:Me]

You could also use your digger to dig up and rob old graves making even more money.

[MotoGirl]

Maybe it's declining because all our good people are buggering off to Australia? What kind of worker does that leave us with?

[jrandom]

Maybe it's declining because all our good people are buggering off to Australia? What kind of worker does that leave us with?

I thought you left KB.

[MotoGirl]

I thought you left KB.

I thought trolls lived under bridges?

Been busy with other shit. What's your excuse?

[Bren]

I have worked in manufacturing and logistics for years now, and the feeling I get is that the good honest workers are covering the asses of the dropkicks and stoneheads who get away with almost everything knowing that when the shit hits the fan they can go and winge to their union who promptly make it fuckin hard for an employer to fire the said dropkick!!! Dont get me wrong, I dont mind people casually smoking during their weekends, but to have the audacity to go and have a session at lunchbreak or whatever really pisses me off. I know if I went down to the pub and had a beer at lunch then my head is on the block! Whats the friggin difference? Why have they made it so fucking hard to fire these losers?

[jrandom]

What's your excuse?

My excuse for being awesome?

Well, you may think that I do it by combining my enormous natural talent with almost superhuman dedication to the ideal of perfection, but I couldn't possibly comment.

[Howie]

Interesting thread this one on productivity, I was talking to a customer today who has just returned from visiting a few major factories in the USA, along the lines of GE, and GM electromotive divisons, and his comments to me were that apart from a lack of support of the workforce, we are ahead of them. As in demarcation of jobs is still alive and well in USA, and specialisation is the way they run businesses productively. He mention that for every 6-7 people at the coal face on the factory floor their is one support person directly attached to them to keep everything they need suppllied to them so that production down time is eliminated. So some of the gains in productivity seem to come from economies of scale and specialisation, which is hard to do in a smaller economy like NZ and by working smarter, and reducing non productive time by being better organised.

[The Pastor]

Does their measure of loss of productivity really translate at all into a loss of work ethics?
One person working in a gold mine may be more productive (according to their measure) than one preson working in a banana mine, though they may well be working just as hard and have similar work ethics.

idiot, bananas grow on trees not in dirty mines!