.png)
COVID Support
When markets are unstable an R&D project pipeline that is not clearly linked to a business outcome is often the first to be cut for cost-savings measures. Below are some things to consider when facing uniquely COVID-19 complications. I am happy to support you and your team free of charge for an introduction to any and all of these solutions.
During these strange times of fluctuating markets, many executives are finding themselves asking their teams to tighten their proverbial belts. For whatever reason budgets are being cut. With these budgetary decreases, department heads are now realizing their teams cannot handle all the projects they initially had intended. In this two-part blog series, Project prioritization during COVID-19, you will complete two thought exercises. At the end, you will have identified projects that will prosper after COVID-19 and others that are best ended soon.
Part 1 - compromised project identification
Part 2 - compromised project prioritization
ELECTRONIC NOTEBOOKS - working with a bench scientist at home
Consider introducing electronic notebooks. Bench scientists are now very limited on when they can be at the bench versus at home. By implementing e-notebooks precious hours at the bench can be preserved for literal experiments. Many of the e-notebook systems also foster employee to employee collaboration. This empowers team members to discuss a specific experiment versus the whole project. If you are interested in trialing an e-notebook there are many different options that I could recommend based on your company's structure. Some systems are free while others are not.
VIDEO CALLS - Novel thinking with online whiteboards
There is one tool at the center of every successful patent project, a whiteboard. Unfortunately, with COVID-19 those impromptu meetings ending with a whiteboard covered in crazy drawings no longer happen. Additionally, while video conference calls are helpful it is difficult for active participants to maintain a digital whiteboard at the same time. If you are in need of a moderator/note-taker or are simply interested in some digital whiteboard suggestions I am happy to help.
MEETINGSÂ - more is less but how to avoid employee isolation
Before COVID-19 if you asked anyone "where do you get the most work done," the answer was never ‘at the office.’ In fact, normally it was at home, or at a coffee shop where you wouldn’t be disturbed. Now that everyone is working from home an ironic thing has happened. People are scheduling more meetings simply to interact while ultimately still feeling very isolated. To address this isolation and avoid unnecessary video conference calls, consider instituting a few solutions at once. First, introduce a 'water cooler' break. This is a short but daily break where employees just come together to chat via video call about nothing at all. Secondly, increase the frequency of your one-on-one meetings with team members. Hear your team out and see what you might be able to do to help with working solo. Finally, train your team on a "meeting or No meeting" decision tree. Help folks see where an email or quick instant message can suffice. If you would like an example of a decision tree I've used in the past please don't hesitate to reach out.