A recent report by NZ’s Productivity Commission revealed that New Zealand has one of the worst levels of productivity and growth within OECD countries, but how can we fix this?
Following the report, an Auckland business owner is bringing over a Swedish training programme that utilises neuroscience to help Kiwis work smarter and not harder.
Nat Milne is bringing Beminded from Sweden to launch in New Zealand, helping Kiwis get productive through scientifically backed training.
Through the training, Beminded is teaching a new methodology to Kiwi businesses, organisations, and their staff through workshops that will be launched across the country in 2024.
Milne says that Beminded has provided her with “life-changing results” as the training focuses on using the prefrontal cortex and how brains operate in a world that is information-heavy.
She first partook with the programme after starting her business while pregnant with her first child and having to juggle her personal and work life.
“I was busy, stressed, tired, and high functioning, but I wasn’t really productive, which is similar to a lot of workplaces and businesses in NZ,” she says.
Milne estimates her productivity improved by 25 percent following the training.
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“Now I never check work emails in the evening, or first thing in the morning. I don’t check them until I start work for the day. I’ve stopped letting lots of information, and electronic alerts, interrupt my focus and attention. I’m a different person now at work and more present at home with my children,” she adds.
Beminded uses tools and methods to teach people to triage information streams, maximise cognitive thinking, and declutter mental space, allowing for better performance and results.
The programme was first developed by Anna Boljer, who studied behaviour science and training more than 4000 people across 50 different businesses across Europe.
Through the programme, Beminded allows teams and individuals to be more focused, engaged, and productive without stress.
Participants will be able to prioritise high-level thinking and creative solutions for better outcomes.
“To improve productivity in NZ, we need to treat skilled staff as “knowledge workers”, focusing on results, instead of how many hours are spent in the office. The Beminded approach teaches and supports staff, and workplaces, to a smarter way of operating with less stress,” Milne says.
