Member Article

Solving the Productivity Puzzle

~~As the UK was surging ahead earlier in the year, productivity was moving in the opposite direction. Now while the definition of productivity couldn’t be simpler - a measure of the efficiency of a person, machine, factory, office, system, in converting inputs into useful outputs - trying to get a grip on it is something else.

The London School of Economics refer to the ‘productivity puzzle’, on the basis that there’s no definitive reason for the position the UK finds itself in. They point out that while low productivity is understandable in a recession when there is under-utilisation of resources if companies hold on to their staff complement, but as the economy picks up, so productivity should rise, not head in the opposite direction.

A report commissioned by Gosport-based Lean business specialists, Fedden USP and published by DECISION magazine will look at how leading organisations define productivity, what they consider to be the key components, how productivity should be measured, and what can be done to effect improvements.

Is it the case that maybe productivity isn’t something which can be considered as a separate entity, that it comes out of a company’s culture, its relationship with its staff, approach to customer service, investment policy, encouragement of investment?

Fedden USP helps businesses improve their bottom line by enabling them to improve productivity, service levels and also the levels of innovation within their product and service offerings. In addition to bespoke consultancy, Fedden USP hold courses on the Lean principles to create more value with fewer resources and reduced waste.

For further information on LEAN training workshops, contact Neil Fedden on 07899 971183 / 01489 611603, email neil@fedden-usp.co.uk or visit www.fedden-usp.co.uk . -Ends-

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Colin Bridgman .