Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2012 about Productivity on Sunday 11th March

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• The Making of the Modern Office

  by Dan Patterson, DeeAnna McPherson, Emily Peters and Jennifer Crystal

  In the capital of the latest tech boom, developers work late into the night creating the next big thing. But they take office culture just as seriously, fueling behavior that is reaching a level of froth not seen in a decade. Some web startups are partying like it's 1999. Companies say the fierce competition for talent among startups has necessitated extraordinary perks meant to attract and retain employees. But what makes startups a great place to work? Are they things like creative benefits, core values, philanthropy and dogs? This session is focused on creating uniquely successful and fun working environments with disruptive leaders from cleantech, healthcare, and enterprise tech startups.

  • Productivity
  • Recruitment
  • Startups

  At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Sunday 11th March

  In Brazos, Marriott Courtyard Austin Downtown/Convention Center

  Coverage audio clip

• Discardia: More Life, Less Stuff

  by Dinah Sanders

  Let go of everything that doesn't make your life awesome! With three key principles and numerous practical tips, Discardia helps you solve specific issues, carve away the nonsense of physical objects, habits, or emotional baggage, and uncover what brings you joy. This SXSW reading from Dinah Sanders' new book Discardia: More Life, Less Stuff will feature staying on target, little decisions, and big priorities. Maintaining focus on what you most want to achieve in the face of a world of distractions is hard, but you can do it – even when you don't always have anyone above you helping to maintain that big picture perspective. Come hear about techniques which can help you in your work—whether you're part of a team or working on your own. Learn how to make your hour-to-hour decisions serve your longer-term priorities.

  • Book Reading
  • Productivity

  At 3:30pm to 3:50pm, Sunday 11th March

  In Ballroom G, Austin Convention Center

  Coverage link audio clip

• 4-Hour Work Week Is BS: Truths of Working Smarter

  by Doug Marinaro, Georgia Collins, Kate North, Keith Perske and Kevin Purdy

  Work is everywhere. In the office, on a plane, in your car, at Peet's Coffee down the street. It's virtually inescapable. And while everyone would love to believe the 4-Hour Work Week is possible, is this the reality in today's market? Can you successfully manage and execute multiple projects within a global ecosystem with a team that has several, if not all, workers contributing remotely? Let's have a frank conversation with today's industry pioneers and thought leaders, shedding new light on how we work. With mobile devices within hand's reach at all times, there's truly no excuse or escape -- something early adopters know all too well, but the mainstream is quickly discovering as well. Here, each of the parties will discuss truths they've learned about what it really means to work smarter, and evaluate and discuss some of the false sentiments floating around like needing to "meet" more and the amount of time a brainstorm should (in truth) last — in the end, sharing the worklife heuristics they've acquired and learned over the years and that make all the difference in how they operate in their day-to-day lives.

  • Collaboration
  • Productivity
  • Work

  At 5:00pm to 6:00pm, Sunday 11th March

  In Salon FG, Hilton Austin Downtown

• Open Innovation Mixer

  Join TopCoder as we toast Open Innovation, global communities, and productivity in the 21st century. Plus a competition and prizes!

  • global
  • Innovation
  • Meetup
  • Productivity

  At 9:00pm to 11:00pm, Sunday 11th March

  In Lanai