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News • Helsinki • Finland • 2012-10-23

Redesigning 925 wants to revolutionise the way we work: Workbook on how to find joy at work

A much-anticipated book on the Redesigning 925 project is now out in Finland. Organised as part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 programme, the year-long project set out to redesign the work week. The book, entitled “Työkirja – Työelämän vallankumouksen perusteet” (Workbook – the Basics of Revolutionising Office Work) and written by Saku Tuominen and Pekka Pohjakallio, now brings us examples of how to make work more meaningful, creative and efficient.

The Redesigning 925 project, led by Idealist Group, started life in spring 2011 with the goal of finding ways to use design to solve everyday problems. In addition to main partner IBM, the project involved collaboration with Fazer, Fortum, Outotec, Solita, Samlink, TBWA\\Helsinki, UPM and the Prime Minister\'s Office.

The one-year project involved a grassroots approach to studying the day-to-day of knowledge work. The project team spent time observing workplace practices, did interviews with 1300 knowledge workers and carried out background research in collaboration with the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Over the course of the year, the team also had nine work communities test some 120 different ideas for improving office routines and organising work in a more meaningful way. Among these were methods for better and more efficient meetings, for maintaining focus, and for managing the flood of emails. A total of 50 of the tested ideas made it into the body of methods presented in the project and in the book.

The newly published book “Työkirja – Työelämän vallankumouksen perusteet” (Workbook – the Basics of Revolutionising Office Work) provides us with tools designed to help us focus on what is essential and stay on top of our work. It also highlights how smarter ways of working can help us get more done, yet feel less tired.

“One characteristic trait of office work today is that it\'s reactive. People feel that things just keep coming up and that it\'s difficult to stay focused. They have no sense of achievement or being in control. Based on what we\'ve observed, there are three types of revolution going on in the world of work: a shift from labour-intensive work to information and knowledge-based work, from measuring time to measuring achievement, and from external management to internal management,” explains Saku Tuominen, Creative Director of Idealist Group.

“A large part of what we do everyday is habitual. In a work environment, it\'s important to understand how powerful the force of habit is and to identify poor habits and replace them with new, better ones,” adds project leader and CEO of 925 Design, Pekka Pohjakallio.

This is just the beginning

Redesigning 925 will not end with the WDC Helsinki 2012 year. Inspired by the project, Idealist Group has founded a design agency,925 Design, which is dedicated to developing smarter ways of working. 925 Design\'s mission is to help people create new, better habits in the workplace as well as to help them get more work done and feel less tired.

The Redesigning 925 project has already gained widespread international attention, with articles appearing in such magazines as Harvard Business Review and Monocle. The project has also been featured in international seminars, including Neuroleadership Summit 2012. The English version of the book will be released in spring 2013.

Further information on the project and the continuing quest for a revolution in the way we work can be found at www.925design.fi or social media sites. This week, there will also be a chance to learn more about the book at the Helsinki Book Fair, to be held at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre, and at seminars taking place in Helsinki on 29–30 October.

Additional information on the book

Saku Tuominen and Pekka Pohjakallio: Työkirja – Työelämän vallankumouksen perusteet

WSOY 2012, 250 pages

Book summary in English

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