Think Happy Thoughts - System Overview

How to Organize Your Cognitive Resources: A THT Exploration

Think New. Think Brave.

Guidelines for dealing with the challenges of information overload to thrive in the 21st century

"Automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. Automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency." — Bill Gates

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

We live in a world of increasing complexity. People are overwhelmed by information through its various channels. Small and seemingly simple tasks that can otherwise be seen as mundane are becoming more difficult to incorporate into everyday life as they easily end up in the periphery (Hoq, 2016). This increasing complexity can influence individuals in our society in several ways such as affecting their general wellbeing, leaving people feeling overwhelmed and confused (Misra. & Stokols, 2012) and affecting the quality of their decision-making (Hoq, 2016).

1.2 About Isak

  • Background as a systems developer
  • Ran my own IT company before my burnout
  • Certified Health coach and Life coach
Read More

1.3 Purpose

By providing scientific evidence, and real-life examples related to the use of digital systems, I aim to provide the employees at THT with a basic understanding of which problems and opportunities exist so that challenges and opportunities of technological advancement can be dealt with more efficiently and with less effort.

1.4 Scope

The depth of explanation is aimed towards providing a high-level overview rather than an in-depth complete explanation since that would require an entire book rather than a presentation.

2. Previous Research and Theory

I’ve included a long list of references for those interested in digging deeper into any specific topic, mainly focused upon information overload, memory, attention, learning, creativity, productivity, flow, personal knowledge management and automation.

2.1 Definitions

Name
Definition
Knowledge worker
A person whose occupation is predominantly concerned with generating or interpreting information, as contrasted with manual labor.
Information overload
A situation in which you receive too much information at one time and cannot think about it in a clear way.
Memory
The power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained especially through associative mechanisms
Attention
The behavioral and cognitive process of selectively concentrating on an aspect of information
Inattentional blindness
Failure to notice a fully visible but unexpected object because one’s attention was focused on something else.
Multitasking and Attentional Switching
The engaging in more than one activity at the same time or serially, switching one's attention back and forth from one activity to another.
Flow state
An altered state of consciousness in which the mind functions at its peak, time may seem distorted, and a sense of happiness prevails.
Pattern recognition
A process that involves matching received information received from the external environment to information stored in our brain to generate new patterns.
Personal knowledge base
A personalized repository of knowledge used to capture and retrieve sources of information related to an individual.
Automation
The automatically controlled operation of an apparatus, process, or system by mechanical or electronic devices that take the place of human labor.

3. Analysis

3.1 SWOT Analysis

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Strengths

Successful Business Model

Think Happy Thoughts' existing success provides a solid foundation for further improvements. They are well established and have a solid foundation to build upon.

Employee Skills and Expertise

Employees possess the skills necessary for high-quality work, which can be enhanced with better procedures.

Collaborative Environment - Innovative Mindset

Open-minded leadership willing to explore new solutions, new technologies, and new processes. The willingness to consider new tools and automations indicates a forward-thinking approach.

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Weaknesses

Lack of Standard Operating Procedures

No formal structure in place for processes. The absence of SOPs makes it difficult to maintain consistency and efficiency.

Information Overload 

Multiple software programs are used without integration, leading to inefficiencies. Utilizing multiple software without integration leads to chaotic data management.

Fragmented Onboarding

The onboarding process is basic and lacks detailed checklists or SOPs. New hires face a steep learning curve without structured onboarding.

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Opportunities

Process Automation

Significant potential for automating repetitive tasks to save time and reduce errors.

Automating mundane tasks can significantly enhance productivity.

Centralized Systems 

Implementing a unified system to integrate various tools and processes. Streamlining operations can make data more accessible and actionable.

Improved Onboarding

Developing comprehensive SOPs and detailed onboarding processes for new employees. Comprehensive onboarding can enable new hires to become effective more quickly, improving overall team efficiency.

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Threats

Resistance to Change

Employees may resist adopting new systems and procedures. We can overcome this through Change Management, where strong change management strategies necessitates when employee resistance arises

Technical Challenges

Difficulties in integrating disparate software tools and training employees on new systems. Integrating various software can be complex and may require specialized knowledge.

Resource Constraints 

Limited time and resources available to implement and manage new solutions.

The time and financial investment required for implementation might strain the company's resources.

3.2 Analysis Clarification

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Lack of Standard Operating Procedures
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Fragmented Onboarding Process
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Software Fragmentation
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Operational Inefficiencies

3.3 Proposed Solutions

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1. Develop and Implement SOPs
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2. Integrate and Automate Tools
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3. Enhance Onboarding Process
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4. Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement
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5. Strengthen Communication Channels
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6. Leverage Data-Driven Decision Making

3.4 Potential Concerns

Implementing AI (Artificial Intelligence) and RPA (Robotic Process Automation) in a business environment can raise several concerns. Addressing these objections effectively is crucial to ensure stakeholders understand the value and ethical use of these technologies.

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Quality Concerns About AI-Generated Content
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Customization and Flexibility Issues
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Efficiency and Cost Concerns
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Human Touch and Creativity Concerns
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Process Time and Setup Concerns
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Perception of Over-Automation
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Trust in AI Technology
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Concerns About AI Replacing Jobs
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Concerns About AI’s Learning Curve
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Data Privacy and Compliance Concerns
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Adaptability to Business Changes
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Return on Investment (ROI) Concerns

4. Case Studies and System Examples

Share Mentimeter QR Code to have audience vote

5. Conclusion

6. References

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