The Defense Disconnect

Three definitions:

1. activity \ the quality or state of being active
Processionary caterpillars blindly follow one another. Naturalist John Henry Fabre arranged several in a complete circle around the rim of a flowerpot, nose to tail. He put food in the center of the pot, and the procession began. For seven days and nights they marched, finally dropping dead of starvation and exhaustion - with an abundance of food only inches away. For an entire week, the caterpillars were engaged in activity - the quality or state of being active.

2. productivity \ abundance or richness in output
Thomas Edison invented a machine that recorded votes by moving a simple switch. He obtained a patent and showed the chairman of Congressional Committees how his machine could eliminate the tedious business of marking and counting ballots. The chairman complimented Edison on his ingenuity, but promptly rejected the idea. "Delay in the tabulation of votes is often the only way we have to defeat bad legislation," he explained. Edison was stunned, and later said, "Then and there I made a vow that I would never again try to solve a congressional issue." Edison's efforts exemplify productivity - richness in output.

3. achievement \ successful result brought about by resolve, persistence, or endeavor; attainment of the desired end or aim.
Put a man on the moon. Build a computer chip. Develop a polio vaccine.  Invent a cell phone. Earn an Olympic medal. Win a promotion. Raise a prize-winning rose. Achievement is the progressive realization of a worthy goal - on purpose.

Activity means busy. Productivity means busy with an output. Achievement means busy with an output on purpose.

The Demand: What Does Business Want?
Activity isn't enough. "Putting in your time" is a universal indictment. Productivity is better. But business values achievement most - increased sales, higher profits, better service. Achievement adds value.

The Supply: What Do Defense Lawyers Sell?
"Time is a lawyer's stock in trade." As bargained-for exchange, the billable hour reigns supreme. Occasionally they charge a flat fee, and very rarely a fee tied directly to achievement.

See a disconnect here?