Productivity tips: Four pointers from the billionaire founder of Sam Adams

When Jim Koch left a consulting job in 1984 to start the Boston Beer Company with a family lager recipe, it seemed ridiculous to think that he could ever make an impression in a market dominated by Budweiser and Heineken. Thirty-one years later, the company produces one per cent of all beer in the US and its products are universally recognised by people.

Business Insider asked Koch for some of his favourite productivity tips for entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Here’s what he said:


Boston Beer Company Co-founder and Chairman Jim Koch

- Live your business from the moment you wake up If you’re Jim Koch, that means drinking beer. Koch said he’s remained driven by never losing touch with his product, despite how big his company has become. It’s why Koch said he starts his day with a beer sampling each morning to ensure quality consistency.

- Pick three things that must get done each day and put them on a post-it note It’s easy to get lost in a massive to-do list that you inevitably won’t complete. That’s why every morning before leaving his house, Koch checks his calendar and email and then writes three things onto a post-it note that he must accomplish that day.

The small size of the note allows him to avoid getting too detailed, and also lets it fit in his pocket so he can check it a few times throughout the day.

- Work outside

Instead of just scheduling vacation time, Koch schedules time to work outside, for a change of pace to keep his creativity and productivity up. And he does it far in advance.

- Take first flights out Koch recommends that when you go on a business trip, you should take the earliest flight available, which is usually around 5 am.

"There is less traffic, the airport is less crowded, flights are generally more reliable and it usually means I get to spend the night before at home with my family and spend more time in my destination city," Koch said.