Proudfoot Global Productivity Report 2008
Managers report companies are not capitalizing on opportunities to maximize productivity.
The 2008 Proudfoot Global Productivity Report identifies key productivity issues and opportunities. The study’s findings are based on a survey of 1,276 managers in 12 countries. Among the key findings:
- Companies will leave 30% of potential productivity gains untapped over the next two years
- Managers spend 34% of their time on administrative tasks and only 10% of their time on training and active supervision of their workers
- 34.3% of the average worker’s time is spent on unproductive activities, up from 32.1% the prior year
- The top two barriers to improved productivity are a shortage of skilled workers and internal communication issues
Read more by downloading the entire report or reading individual chapters using the links to the right.
Luiz Carvalho, CEO
Proudfoot Consulting
“May you live in interesting times.”
The precise origin of this familiar quote is unclear. It is purported to be an ancient curse by some, a proverb by others. Curse and proverb: two opposite sentiments. One suggests impending trouble, the other an opportunity to learn and grow.
The current financial turmoil can be viewed in much the same way. Many, including a host of high-profile, high-decibel television commentators, see the current global economic condition as the precursor to an extended worldwide downturn. Others will see the current state of the world’s economies as an opportunity to correct past mistakes and lay the foundation for future economic health.
Impending doom or opportunity to grow. It all depends upon your perspective.
This report contains the perspectives of 1,276 managers scattered across twelve countries and eight sectors. They told us their companies have the potential to improve their productivity by almost 14% over the next two years. They also told us their companies – your company -- will leave 30% of those potential gains untapped.
30% untapped potential.
A curse or an opportunity?
We see it as an opportunity. An opportunity for companies to attack the barriers that limit productivity gains. An opportunity for companies to strip out policies and procedures which are misaligned or unnecessary. An opportunity for companies to tear down the silos which make communication and cooperation between departments difficult. An opportunity to overhaul ineffective functions, replacing them with programs and processes which give workers and managers the skills they need to be more productive, driving improved corporate ROI.
This is our eighth annual study of global productivity. It is by far the most comprehensive study we have ever undertaken, and presents data about productivity issues, barriers, and, yes, opportunities. The data paint a broad yet detailed picture of the opportunities companies have to improve their productivity.
I would like to take a moment to focus on just two of our findings. Managers spend 34% of their time on administrative tasks. Think about that. That’s 1.8 days of every workweek spent on administration. Is that the best use of your managers’ time? It could be, but I suspect that the answer is really that it isn’t. Why are managers spending so much time on administration? Part of the answer is because they are buried under unnecessary paperwork. We asked managers how many management reports they receive each month. The answer is 10. Then we asked those same managers how many reports they need to do their job. The answer was 6.6. 34% of the reports managers receive each month are, in their view, unnecessary.
Definitely a curse. Certainly an opportunity.
This is not a time for the timid. It is a time for a balanced, rational assessment of the landscape inside your company and in the marketplace. The companies which will thrive in the coming years are the ones who will not retreat in the face of these challenges, but will instead push forward, continuously seeking to become more productive and more competitive.
Seize the opportunity.
