Send us a text

We unpack Method Time Measurement (MTM) with ReThink Productivity’s Simon Woodfield and Ed Thompson, from its 1940s roots to modern use with motion capture and VR. The chat explains how MTM coding works, and why fair, consistent standards matter.

• Origins of MTM
• Motion codes, influence factors and TMUs explained
• When to use MTM versus a stopwatch
• Hybrid approaches for fixed steps and variable customer moments
• Training pathways and the main MTM variants
• Building quick business cases with what‑if scenarios
• Leveraging CAD, VR and motion capture for pre‑build timing
• Ergonomic insights alongside time standards

Find out more at the UKMTM Website

We just wanted to remind everybody that as of 1st January 2026, the UK MTM Association is now part of ReThink Productivity

#theproductivityexperts
Register for the 2026 Productivity Forum
Find us in the Top 50 Productivity Podcasts
Connect to Simon on LinkedIn
Follow ReThink on LinkedIn

Send us a text

Building on the success of footfall insights we broaden the conversation with the Basket & Barometer podcast. Diane Wehrle CEO at Rendle Intelligence and Insights joins Simon for their monthly chat

We dig into why Black Friday footfall held up while November spending slumped, and what that split means for December. We talk inflation turning to deflation in fashion and furniture, caution on inventory, and the ripple effects that hit suppliers when retailers stumble.

• Footfall marginally down on Black Friday day, week up 1.1% year on year
• November spend down 7% in towns and cities, steepest since July
• Budget jitters and weather weighing on sentiment
• Christmas timing supports a late pre‑holiday push
• December growth outlook moved from +1.5% to flat
• BRC: food drives growth, non‑food barely moves
• Inventory discipline favours sell‑through over deep January markdowns
• Fashion and furniture show deflation amid heavy discounting
• Employment and housing trends dampen big‑ticket demand

#theproductivityexperts
Register for the 2026 Productivity Forum
Find us in the Top 50 Productivity Podcasts
Connect to Simon on LinkedIn
Follow ReThink on LinkedIn

Send us a text

Hear directly from our experts—Sue, Simon, & James—who share real-world trends, new data findings, and actionable productivity insights

We unpack the wage rise headlines and the quiet costs they trigger up the ladder, then move to peak‑time realities: queues, break timing, and the real use of self‑checkout. We finish with fast wins in quick‑serve layouts and why adoption fails without hands‑on coaching.

• Wage increases by age bands and implications for costs
• Compression of supervisory pay differentials
• Leaders pulled into front‑line tasks reducing leadership capacity
• Queues at peak despite self‑checkout availability
• Break timing clashing with customer demand
• Micro‑improvements in quick‑serve cycle times
• Layout tweaks, tool placement, and motion design
• Training and engagement to adopt new kit and processes

Keep an eye out for those queues at peak, everybody listening, and see if you can identify the issues, we'll be back in the new year

#theproductivityexperts
Register for the 2026 Productivity Forum
Find us in the Top 50 Productivity Podcasts
Connect to Simon on LinkedIn
Follow ReThink on LinkedIn