Here is an exciting tip.
Did you know you can improve your personal productivity by over 29.7% by simply using two computer monitors?
Now hold on a second. This statement assumes that you use a computer all day. If you’re a welder, mechanic or gunsmith, I don’t want to hear you saying, “Hey Tim! What the heck. I got the dual monitors like you said and it STILL took me 4.4 hours to change out a transmission.”
Okay, I’m serious here. I made this change to my work area in my office and saw a HUGE productivity increase.
Well, here’s the video tip. I hope you enjoy it. 
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| In today’s video tip, I’ll show you how to increase your productivity by over 29.7%. The secret is in the effective use of dual monitors. |
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Why does this work? I think think the second monitor allows you to spend less time switching back and forth between applications. This configuration also helps to minimize distration.
Get that extra monitor and watch your productivity soar!
All the best,
Tim Schmidt
October 30th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I started using a second monitor a year ago when we moved our business to a new location. I keep an Excel spreadsheet for a delivery and installation schedule and a project database on the new 24″ monitor since they are referred to all day long. Outlook, Quickbooks and variable screens are on the laptop screen, The second monitor has made the every day mundane tasks so much quicker and easier since I no longer have to switch from program to program. Use Tim’s suggestion. It works.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hi John,
Thanks for the comments. It is amazing how effective this really is! Take care.
Tim
October 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Tim,
First of all, I agree completely, dual monitors are a marvelous tool for those who work on computers extensively. I’ve had dual large screen (another aid most people don’t consider) for years, long before LCDs were even available, and let me tell you, two 21″ CRT’s will make even a good desk sag in the middle! But forgive me, statements like “Increase your productivity by over 29.7%” are ludicrous. It’s hard enough to measure productivity to begin with, and to try to give it such precision is just silly. What is ‘over 29.7%’ mean? 29.8%? 30%? 40%? Whenever I see statements like that with precision (and the word ‘over’ in front of a precise number just makes it that much worse), I immediately discount the statement as marketing hype of little or no real value. In this case, you do a great disservice to a really good efficiency/productivity tip by using that kind of silly marketing lingo. Why not just say “Improves your productivity by approximately 1/3 or more if used effectively.” Gets my attention, tells me that there’s variables I need to be aware of, and doesn’t turn me off.
It reminds me of when we went from slide rules to calculators. Slide rules could only provide a few digits of precision, yet a calculator could provide many digits. But when you divide or multiply numbers with one significant digit (to the right of the decimal point) your answer is only accurate to one significant digit, not the 4 or 14 you can get with a calculator (or spreadsheet). It’s a false sense of accuracy and any good engineer understands that. It’s the same thing when you try to put a precise number on something that cannot be precisely measured under the best of circumstances… you’re putting in accuracy to bolster your position with numbers when simple common sense and a simple explanation of the concept would do a much better job. What it boils down to is whether you think we’re all dumb and easily impressed, or you think we’re intelligent and can grasp the value of the concept without the hype. I think you spend so much time marketing and hyping your business that you’ve lost sight of the intelligence of the community that you’re addressing here…
But that’s just my opinion… you’re the one with his own business and making money at it, so maybe I’m giving the community too much credit.
Stoney
October 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
The previous comment was more in the way of feedback to you than for publication (though I don’t object to publication).
And for what it’s worth, I consider Concealed Carry magazine the single most valuable one I receive… and I get a lot. So consider this constructive criticism, not complaining… Thanks.
Stoney
October 30th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Hi Stoney,
Well, I can certainly relate to your point of view. Even though I don’t do much engineering these days, I still kinda think like one. I guess the key word is “kinda”.
Is my use of 29.7% a marketing tactic to draw attention? It sure is! I just thought the headline sounded a little more interesting than simply using 1/3.
However, this situation MAY point to a more deep-seated personality flaw of mine. When I was attending Michigan Tech to earn my degree in mechanical engineering, I used to enter 3.141592654 as the value for PI in my calculator. I am NOT kidding! (I actually had PI memorized to 9 significant digits.) This is completely idiotic. But for some reason, I felt the need to do this.
Oh well. I’ve never claimed to be perfect.
As far as me spending too much time marketing, I’ll have to respectfully disagree with you on this point. While I don’t claim to be the BEST marketer, I do know that my consistent and persistent marketing has allowed CCM to thrive and grow in an industry that is getting beaten up pretty good.
Stoney, I truly appreciate you taking the time to call me out on yet another one of my goofy marketing tactics. And I’m really glad you like CCM.
Both of your messages have put a big smile on my face and I’m so glad to be able to call people like you my happy (well at least mostly) customers!
Take care,
Tim
October 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Tim,
I don’t mean to sound like I’m outdoing you, but I’ve been using three monitors for about the last four years. I develop advanced Excel business applications (generally cost/budget analysis) using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), which you really need to have open on a dedicated monitor so you can test and observe in real-time what the code is accomplishing on the other monitor. The third monitor is generally shared between Outlook, another Excel workbook, or MS Word. I really can attest to the big boost in productivity by “multi-tasking” with multiple monitors.
Thanks for bringing this tip to your readers, and thanks for Concealed Carry Magazine. I look forward to each issue.
Bob
October 30th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Tim,
… You’re right about one thing, you can’t do too much marketing… as a company… but as a person, perhaps you can get so caught up in the marketing that you loose some perspective… it helps to connect sometimes to the people you’re marketing to, and that’s what I was giving you, some connection/feedback… nothing more… well, maybe venting a little …
That said, keep up the good work with CCW, the magazine, the organization, and the community… we really need your enthusiasm and your leadership.
In this economy, my current line is that my head is still above water, but my beard’s wet… once that situation improves over time, I’ll be buying some of your other items and taking some courses.
Looking forward to your next issue’s arrival. My only regret is that it doesn’t come out more often …
Stoney
November 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Tim, I think I will have to try your tip out, but I don’t know anything about setting up 2 monitors on 1 computer. I guess I need to try anything I can to be more productive because I am starting 2 new businesses along with my fulltime regular job and 1 part-time business.
by the way, I also attended Michigan Tech and still live in the Keweenaw.
thanks
Dave
November 14th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Hi Dave,
If you go to this site:
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/
it will walk you through exactly how to set up the dual monitors.
Wow, you’re starting two new businesses! That is exciting. Plus, you went to Michigan Tech? Dang, you and I have a lot in common.
Good luck, my friend. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you out.
Take care,
Tim
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:56 am
[...] Two Screen Setup, acording to Tim Schmidt, having two computer monitors increases your productivity by over 29.7%. Although I haven’t [...]