I was asked to give my point of view on a local radio programme today, regarding the latest government statistics about the increase in the amount of time the average employee spends at work. The argument was that the average worker in the UK works harder than their EU counterparts.

To me, the statistic says we are working longer, not harder. To be working harder, the statistic would be about output, results, even job satisfaction; not about how long we sit at our desks.

As a freelancer, I am always conscious about how I am valued. I have learnt that my value is assessed first and foremost by whether I get the job done. How long I will take, or how much I will charge is a secondary issue. If I do the job well, but take longer to do it than is really necessary just makes me more expensive, not better. Who do you know that would pay for unnecessary hours, or for poor quality?

And yet, that is what many employers do. They pay workers to be at their desks, measuring their contribution in time and cost, not quality. This charade is also played by employees, who are willing to put in extra time at work for free, perhaps hoping that this show of commitment secures their place in the company.

Do you value each employee by their cost, by how much time they spend at work, or by what they do for you?

If there is one radio show guaranteed to make me change channels, it’s the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2. Not because I have anything against Jeremy, it’s because, generally, the views of the public aired in response to the issues raised infuriate me. A couple of days ago, Jeremy conducted an excellent interview with a BBC correspondent about the Afghanistan non-election – a well informed, concise, detailed explanation of the issues. This was then ruined (for me) by uninformed points of view that added little or nothing.

Much has been written about the “demise” of the Birmingham Post, and the genuine concern at what will happen to the journalists who are losing their jobs. I sincerely hope that those skilled at writing will find new employment, albeit in a different market. I would far rather read, or listen, to someone who knows their subject and can present it well, than someone who writes and broadcasts just because they can.

The proliferation of Blogs, and the ability for anyone to write when, and on whatever subject they choose, has been cited as the end of quality reporting. I would disagree. I have more faith in readers and listeners exercising their choice to read and listen to what they like, and to switch off what they don’t like.

I also believe that there is a duty for those who know what is going on to share their knowledge and expertise.

Attended the launch of Creative Republic last night in Coventry. Having lived and worked in and around the city for many years, it never ceases to amaze me how much there is going on and to see here. And yet…

How is it the city still has an air of despondency, why can’t it find the key to successfully promoting itself, what will it take for outsiders to take it seriously?

It struck me that there is a comparison with our economy at the moment. On the surface, it’s all doom, gloom and despair, and yet underneath there is a vibrant and enthusiastic marketplace.

What will it take to change the perception? Maybe those who exist to make money at other people’s expense need to visit Coventry.

After talking us into it, its interesting to see how the media is now telling us how to manage during a recession.

Despite the impact of the banks self-made crisis, people I am talking to are still working hard. Times are always tough when you are running a business, and having waves of negative publicity rolling over you doesn’t help. When faced with a decision, it will be more tempting to play it safe than to take a small risk.

I’m not talking people into taking unacceptable risks, but to look carefully at what is a real risk, and what is a perceived risk.

The opportunities are still out there.

I had an email from an ex-colleague yesterday who, in reply to my question asking how they were, replied “peddling faster than ever”.

While glad that they are “busy”, and apparently still enjoying the challenge of their work, I was left wondering whether the extra effort being used was resulting in extra output and benefit to the organisation.

I can still clearly recall the story from years ago, when I worked at IBM, when an employee under threat of redundancy started working every hour he could – to improve his chances of being kept on. Sadly, he was one of the many 100′s (1,000′s?) who lost their jobs, and I suspect one of the main reasons he went was because he had failed to understand that it’s not inputs that matter, it’s outputs. His extra work did not increase his contribution and value to the company.

We have to focus on what difference our work makes, which is a bit more complicated than just working differently (or harder).