Productivity in UK business continues to lag behind international competitors including the US, France, Germany and Japan, according to a recent spate of research reports (CIPD Megatrends, Acas, Building Productivity in the UK (see links below).
As with any research commentary based on the national picture, it’s very easy for entrepreneurs to conclude that the data doesn’t apply at the individual firm level, and toss it aside. The two reports cited here ought not to be tossed aside so easily. They contain really important nuggets that can assist all businesses raise their game.
Here are a few gems that caught my eye and made me pause for thought:
Based on our experience, we fully endorse the comment in CIPD’s report which states, “The relationship between an employee and the person directly responsible for them – the line management relationship – is one of the crucial ‘hygiene’ variables affecting job satisfaction and, if it breaks down, is one of the most commonly cited ‘push’ factors causing people to change employer”.
Enlightened CEOs appreciate the importance of retaining and growing talent; this is a bedrock for achieving future business goals. Hardly a month goes by without some new publication extolling the virtues of effective leadership development. The weight of turning business goals into tangible tasks rests on the shoulders of line managers. Yet our front line managers are seldom well prepared with the people management skills so crucial to getting the best from the people they manage.
Research reports:
http://www.cipd.co.uk/binaries/megatrends_2014-uk-organisations-managing-people.pdf [4]
http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/7/9/Building-productivity-in-the-uk.pdf [5]
Links
[1] https://lotushr.estateapps.co.uk/print/89
[2] https://lotushr.estateapps.co.uk/printmail/89
[3] http://lotushr.co.uk/hr-risk-assessment/
[4] http://www.cipd.co.uk/binaries/megatrends_2014-uk-organisations-managing-people.pdf
[5] http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/7/9/Building-productivity-in-the-uk.pdf
[6] https://lotushr.estateapps.co.uk/blog/uk-businesses-leak-profits-due-under-investment-people