We use a number of people to help us explore and think through new concepts and ideas.  All of them are ‘productivity thinkers’ with the practical experience that enables them to comment on both theory and practice.  This is important as often we want to move from theory (from those new concepts and ideas) to practical ways in which those concepts and ideas can be harnessed and exploited for the benefit of organisations and nations.   Conversely, sometimes we want to move from pragmatic, practical experience to secure an underlying theoretical explanation  that enables  us to develop improvements and enhancements that can be taken back to the workplace.

Tom Burgess, a senior academic leading the Technology and Innovation group at Leeds University Business School in the UK, is the co-editor of the International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, and a Fellow of the World Academy of Productivity Sciences.  He has authored and contributed to a number of books, and published over sixty papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.  His long-standing interest in productivity and performance management stems from his time in industry and continues today in his research activities.

Mike Bolton is an independent management consultant who works mainly with emerging and new businesses and has extensive experience capacity building SME sectors in developing economies. He also teaches Strategic Management and Operations Management to Executive MBA students in Business Schools in the UK and overseas and is a member of the editorial panel of the Exwin Collection. He is a Fellow of the World Academy of Productivity Science and is currently working on a major project inNorthern Uganda