Why it pays this team to work less

May 21 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

WORKING LESS, achieving more and chilling out were the key benefits for four staff working for a Darlington accountancy firm who brought in leadership trainers to improve productivity.

Clive Owen & Co LLP hired specialist provider Leadership Management International (LMI) for a six-month programme to improve leadership and vision, time management and prioritisation.

Carolyn Owers, marketing manager; Simon Hook, manager at the firm’s Durham office; Peter Taylor, corporate finance associate director; and Peter Edley, director, were all impressed.

Comments included: “I am physically working less hours but am achieving more, my stress levels have reduced considerably.

“I have personally delegated eight hours per week on low pay off activities, and have now reallocated this time to work on achieving better results and I have a better work/life balance.”

Clive Owen partner Tony Luckett was so delighted with the results that he is looking to extend the programme to other staff.

“We have been impressed with the improvements in the delegates involved in the course and look forward to seeing the long term benefits of their working patterns,” he said.