Ed Howes writes:

Will we be getting meaningful feedback on the results of this new efficiency program? What is the average approval time all editors? What is the average approval time all editors after one month of monitoring? What is the error rate now and a month from now? What are the main lessons learned in one month, two, etc.? This appears to be a goal setting tool with great potential and I believe if performance is enhanced as a result, all editors should receive raises and benefits equivalent to the cost of adding another editor to the payroll, or two editors if improvements eliminate the need for two more. Working against the clock can cause competition which leads to resentments which would be mitigated if it were part of a generous incentives program. I have never resented a co worker who happened to be better than me at a job or begrudged that worker fair compensation for both their ability and effort. I once worked as a beer delivery helper and back up driver. The driver made 15 cents per hour more than I did but had all the responsibility for the truck and the load for that 15 cents, which allowed me to relax over 10 and 12 hour days, worth every penny of the $1.50 I sacrificed as a helper.

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Lance Winslow writes:

I really enjoyed this case study analysis. Perhaps I should write some articles on how borrowing information from one industry to use in another makes so much sense and make each article another case study. Thank you for this Blog Post, as it propelled thought and is very interesting indeed.

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Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC writes:

Okay,
before I clicked on the “read the whole post” link, I thought, “Man, (or Brethren) this smacks of McDonalds.”

Then I following the link and, in fact, you mean it to smack of McDonalds.

I used to be a crew trainer at McD’s a long time ago – and at that time, they were just introducing the technology that set off alarms if people were waiting at the window for their food for longer than the appropriate McSecond that the corporate folks deemed “good service.”

I have this terrible feeling that this is just the beginning for poor editor Kirk – who seems to be editing pretty darn fast IMHO. I can see an alarm going off on his screen saying “Hurry, the article is getting cold.”

I hope it helps you all. Personally, I would hate it.

my Mc.02
Cynthia

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Christopher M. Knight writes:

Many folks think being an article review editor means being able to enjoy the content.

That isn’t so… Here we focus on the trust or credibility factor and the mechanical factor of the article content.

Full speed is somewhere in the 45-70 articles reviewed per hour.

Our best editors approve and review 450-600 articles per day. It is possible, but they don’t all believe it until they see it for themselves.

We try to not hire the ‘artsy farts’ style editor who is a perfectionist; but rather we go after the production oriented producer who enjoys a fast pace when reviewing articles.

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Cynthia McKenna LPC, NCC writes:

Dear Chris,
I apprecite your comment. Of course, it makes perfect sense that a huge part of your business is getting through the scads of articles that come your way. And, anything to help productivity, well, helps.

It is probably my own unresolved issues from my MdD days. I just felt sad for poor new editor Kirk.
C

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Ed Howes writes:

This sounds more like scanning or skimming articles and it raises questions about the reading habits of editors during non work hours and I think a survey would be interesting. Do editors read much during their own time? Do they tend to scan when they do as at work? Do they go back and read articles that got their attention during their free time? Do they avoid reading and watch video or listen to music? Do they listen to music at work? Enquiring minds want to know.

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Christopher M. Knight writes:

Ed,

I printed out your comment and walked into our editor room to poll the team. Here is what they said:

They all said they read a lot on their own time. Half of them scan as they read and the other half read more slowly.

They do listen to music while at work and while reviewing/approving articles. They rotate who gets to play what song. One editor puts on headphones to block the others out.

They often will take an article that piques their unique interests and will save it or bookmark it for reading off hours.

Personally, I only reviewed the first 30,000 articles by hand and don’t review/approve articles daily any more, but when I did, I loved to crank up dance music to enter ‘the zone’… and I don’t scan when I read for pleasure.

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Ed Howes writes:

Thanks Chris,

You just set some kind of record for response time. Very impressive and satisfying responses by the editors as well. Thanks to all.

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