Workplace Productivity – Business benefits to improving productivity
Recently the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce worked with the Government to promote workplace productivity improvements. This arises from New Zealand’s productivity falling in relation to other members of the OECD. Our GDP per capita is 39% lower than that of the US. Most of that gap is attributed to lower labour or workplace productivity. Our labour utilisation rates are high by OECD standards but our workplace productivity is not.
There is also a realisation that for the country to remain globally competitive, increased productivity is essential. A country’s ability to improve its standard of living over time depends almost entirely on its ability to raise its output per worker . The alternatives are to reduce the costs of labour and other inputs.
This is all fine when we are looking at the big picture, but how small can and medium sized businesses work to improve their productivity.
Workplace Productivity - is about exploring all the ways that a workplace can do things better and smarter
It can also be defined as how well an organisation converts resource inputs into goods or services. In other words how firms can utilise labour and skills, innovation, technology and workplace organisation to improve the quantity and quality of their output
For the Economy the benefits of increased productivity are huge HOWEVER for your business the benefits are improved profitability, increased institutional knowledge and highly motivated staff
The one important thing to remember when embarking on a productivity improvement programme is that improving workplace productivity is not about working harder but about working smarter
The 7 drivers to increasing workplace productivity
In 2004, after consulting with a number of NZ businesses and examining international research, the Workplace Productivity Working Group identified seven key drivers of workplace productivity
Building Leadership and Management.
Leadership and management capabilities are key drivers of firm capability and performance and cut across all of the other workplace productivity drivers. If there is a lack of strong leadership and/or management in a firm, it will be difficult to successfully develop and implement initiatives around the other main productivity drivers.
Creating Productive Workplace Cultures.
Employees need to be are willing to “go the extra mile ”.There is no single prescription for creating a productive organisational culture but firms can cultivate such an environment by fostering some significant cultural attributes, such as acknowledging the contribution of individuals, rewarding participation and good ideas, developing healthy and respectful relationships in the workplace and promoting a sense of shared goals and values.
Encouraging Innovation and the Use of Technology.
Creating new products or services or just doing things better are vital ways to achieve firm growth.
Investing in People and Skills.
Ongoing investment in foundation,technical,supervisory and managerial skills ,together with improvements in work organisation, can help improve the productivity and performance of New Zealand firms.
Organising Work.
Firms need to assess and adapt their structures and business practices and the way they carry out their work on an ongoing basis.
Networking and Collaboration.
Firms do not operate in isolation and there are significant productivity gains to be achieved by improving the exchange of knowledge, information and ideas through both formal and informal networks.
Measuring What Matters.
Good measurement and reporting practices, linked to an organisation’s strategies.
The Northland Chamber of Commerce would be happy to explore these issues in further detail with your business and invite you to give us a call.
The Northland Chamber of Commerce is the networking, education, advocacy and marketing group for Northland business, and is part of a nationwide network of 30 and a world-wide movement of 27,000 chambers. Subscription to the free fortnightly chamber e-news can be arranged on info@northchamber.co.nz. Enquiries to 09-4384771 or www.northchamber.co.nz, www.kaiparachamber.co.nz and www.farnorthchamber.co.nz
You can have a say and vote on this and other topical business issues on this by going to the Northland Chamber of Commerce Feedback website on www.northchamber.blogspot.com.
29 August 2006
23 August 2006
Locally owned and operated
The Northland Chamber of Commerce is made up of hundreds of locally owned and operated businesses. These businesses in turn employ local people who in turn send their children to local schools and utilise local business.
Why support local businesses? Because it makes economic sense….
….Dollars spent in locally-owned and operated businesses stay in the local economy longer and therefore creates greater local wealth. The benefits of shopping and buying local far exceed the money saved on petrol. Money spent in our community “turns over” several times. When we buy local we support our local economy, local businesses, and local jobs. Buying Local is also more than merely retail.
So.. Whether you are buying a car, furniture, clothing or a lawyer, consider the great quality, price, and service available right here in Northland.
To buy local, also means we take advantage of excellent quality local services. The Chamber’s web site www.northchamber.co.nz is a great example…... Chamber members realise this and agree to have their businesses listed on our searchable online database so that other members and Northlanders can find them easily. Members include retailers, Lawyers, services Industry, Transport Operators, Local real estate agencies etc
The Northland Chamber of commerce encourages locally owned and operated business by
• Creating support between local businesses and the community.
• Raising public awareness of the benefits of doing business locally.
• Addressing governmental policies that support our local businesses.
• Facilitating collaborative efforts among members
• Encourage strategic thinking to add to their competitive advantage. ("How can I add value that customers will happily pay more for? )
The Northland Chamber of Commerce also has a buy local policy to ensure that we always consider buying local and encourages other businesses to do this as well.
Congratulations to all Northlands locally owned and operated businesses-including those who have been around for decades and stood the test of time in the face of huge commercial challenges and increasing competition, and those that have started up more recently and are continuing to thrive.
Study after study has shown that more of the money you spend at local businesses stays in your community than money spent outside the region. But numbers, no matter how convincing, never tell the whole story. There are very real, tangible and human benefits to buying locally that go far beyond simple economics.
• Personalised, friendly service and community focus
• Fills a critical void in Northlands efforts at generating meaningful and sustainable economic development.
• Buying locally made products and services enhances employment, economic, environmental and social benefits.
• Builds brand loyalty for Northland made products
• Reduces imports from outside the region especially of consumption goods
• Help reduce fuel consumption
They want us overseas……
On the topic of buying local, one of the Northland Chamber board members is currently in the UK opening markets and distribution channels for Northland Products. This can be food or anything which is uniquely Northland. If you produce, grow or manufacture a Northland product please contact the Northland Chamber of Commerce.
The Northland Chamber of Commerce is the networking, education, advocacy and marketing group for Northland business, and is part of a nationwide network of 30 and a world-wide movement of 27,000 chambers. Subscription to the free fortnightly chamber e-news can be arranged on info@northchamber.co.nz. Enquiries to 09-4384771 or www.northchamber.co.nz, www.kaiparachamber.co.nz and www.farnorthchamber.co.nz
You can have a say and vote on this and other topical business issues on this by going to the Northland Chamber of Commerce Feedback website on www.northchamber.blogspot.com
The Northland Chamber of Commerce is made up of hundreds of locally owned and operated businesses. These businesses in turn employ local people who in turn send their children to local schools and utilise local business.
Why support local businesses? Because it makes economic sense….
….Dollars spent in locally-owned and operated businesses stay in the local economy longer and therefore creates greater local wealth. The benefits of shopping and buying local far exceed the money saved on petrol. Money spent in our community “turns over” several times. When we buy local we support our local economy, local businesses, and local jobs. Buying Local is also more than merely retail.
So.. Whether you are buying a car, furniture, clothing or a lawyer, consider the great quality, price, and service available right here in Northland.
To buy local, also means we take advantage of excellent quality local services. The Chamber’s web site www.northchamber.co.nz is a great example…... Chamber members realise this and agree to have their businesses listed on our searchable online database so that other members and Northlanders can find them easily. Members include retailers, Lawyers, services Industry, Transport Operators, Local real estate agencies etc
The Northland Chamber of commerce encourages locally owned and operated business by
• Creating support between local businesses and the community.
• Raising public awareness of the benefits of doing business locally.
• Addressing governmental policies that support our local businesses.
• Facilitating collaborative efforts among members
• Encourage strategic thinking to add to their competitive advantage. ("How can I add value that customers will happily pay more for? )
The Northland Chamber of Commerce also has a buy local policy to ensure that we always consider buying local and encourages other businesses to do this as well.
Congratulations to all Northlands locally owned and operated businesses-including those who have been around for decades and stood the test of time in the face of huge commercial challenges and increasing competition, and those that have started up more recently and are continuing to thrive.
Study after study has shown that more of the money you spend at local businesses stays in your community than money spent outside the region. But numbers, no matter how convincing, never tell the whole story. There are very real, tangible and human benefits to buying locally that go far beyond simple economics.
• Personalised, friendly service and community focus
• Fills a critical void in Northlands efforts at generating meaningful and sustainable economic development.
• Buying locally made products and services enhances employment, economic, environmental and social benefits.
• Builds brand loyalty for Northland made products
• Reduces imports from outside the region especially of consumption goods
• Help reduce fuel consumption
They want us overseas……
On the topic of buying local, one of the Northland Chamber board members is currently in the UK opening markets and distribution channels for Northland Products. This can be food or anything which is uniquely Northland. If you produce, grow or manufacture a Northland product please contact the Northland Chamber of Commerce.
The Northland Chamber of Commerce is the networking, education, advocacy and marketing group for Northland business, and is part of a nationwide network of 30 and a world-wide movement of 27,000 chambers. Subscription to the free fortnightly chamber e-news can be arranged on info@northchamber.co.nz. Enquiries to 09-4384771 or www.northchamber.co.nz, www.kaiparachamber.co.nz and www.farnorthchamber.co.nz
You can have a say and vote on this and other topical business issues on this by going to the Northland Chamber of Commerce Feedback website on www.northchamber.blogspot.com
15 August 2006
The Northland Regional Events Centre
Back in April the Northland Chamber of Commerce made a stand on the issue of a regional events centre based in Whangarei.
We stated that we would support any ‘well researched development project that added value to the economy, community and infrastructure of the region especially those projects that undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure that the community and environment are protected.’
In other words the Northland Chamber could not support a project that wasn’t sustainable and that needed ongoing financial support and propping up.
Since then, we made a submission to the Northland Regional Council in favour of the concept with the above proviso.
The Northland Chamber of Commerce has a mission of assisting members achieve maximum success, improve long term profit and encourage positive social development.
The proposed events centre adds to the Northland Chambers mission by providing extra infrastructure to assist the region in delivering economic development initiatives.
In 2005 Northland Chamber of Commerce members were surveyed as to their aspirations regarding the events centre. The Results include;
- 61% of our members believed that the Events centre would add economic value to their businesses.
- A staggering 76% understood the concept as being a regional events centre and not a rugby Stadium.
- 79% believed that the Events Centre would add value to future generations.
In a more recent survey carried out last week our members were surveyed on a list of ‘hot’ advocacy issues and support for the new regional events centre came out at the 4th most popular issues out of a list of 11 development initiatives
The reason for this is clear. The Chamber of Commerce is made up of a number of business owners and people involved in business who have a can-do attitude and who believe that Northlanders deserve the best – new stadiums, libraries, infrastructure etc.
These same businesses are the ones who are creating wealth by employing people to provide services, manufacture products and produce primary products.
The Regional and District councils have a mandate to support projects like this under section 10 of the Local Government act 2002 which states the purpose of local Government. Both these authorities have consulted widely about this issue.
To summarise the Regional Events Centre is supported by the Northland Chamber of Commerce because
Of its positive impact on the Northland Regional Economy
It is a good partnership of local & regional Government working together with Private interests for the benefit of Northlanders.
Failsafe measures have been built in which would ensure that ratepayers are not funding on an ongoing basis the operations of the centre therefore it is financially sustainable
It can only add value to what is already a great region to live, work and play.
The Northland Chamber of Commerce is Northland’s Premier Business Advocacy, Networking, Education and Marketing Group. The chamber is part of a nationwide group of 30 Chambers of Commerce and 27000 globally. Membership enquiries can be made by phoning 09-438 4771 or emailing info@northchamber.co.nz for a free membership pack.
A copy of this article can be read at www.northchamber.blogspot.com – you can also vote or leave a comment there.
Back in April the Northland Chamber of Commerce made a stand on the issue of a regional events centre based in Whangarei.
We stated that we would support any ‘well researched development project that added value to the economy, community and infrastructure of the region especially those projects that undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure that the community and environment are protected.’
In other words the Northland Chamber could not support a project that wasn’t sustainable and that needed ongoing financial support and propping up.
Since then, we made a submission to the Northland Regional Council in favour of the concept with the above proviso.
The Northland Chamber of Commerce has a mission of assisting members achieve maximum success, improve long term profit and encourage positive social development.
The proposed events centre adds to the Northland Chambers mission by providing extra infrastructure to assist the region in delivering economic development initiatives.
In 2005 Northland Chamber of Commerce members were surveyed as to their aspirations regarding the events centre. The Results include;
- 61% of our members believed that the Events centre would add economic value to their businesses.
- A staggering 76% understood the concept as being a regional events centre and not a rugby Stadium.
- 79% believed that the Events Centre would add value to future generations.
In a more recent survey carried out last week our members were surveyed on a list of ‘hot’ advocacy issues and support for the new regional events centre came out at the 4th most popular issues out of a list of 11 development initiatives
The reason for this is clear. The Chamber of Commerce is made up of a number of business owners and people involved in business who have a can-do attitude and who believe that Northlanders deserve the best – new stadiums, libraries, infrastructure etc.
These same businesses are the ones who are creating wealth by employing people to provide services, manufacture products and produce primary products.
The Regional and District councils have a mandate to support projects like this under section 10 of the Local Government act 2002 which states the purpose of local Government. Both these authorities have consulted widely about this issue.
To summarise the Regional Events Centre is supported by the Northland Chamber of Commerce because
Of its positive impact on the Northland Regional Economy
It is a good partnership of local & regional Government working together with Private interests for the benefit of Northlanders.
Failsafe measures have been built in which would ensure that ratepayers are not funding on an ongoing basis the operations of the centre therefore it is financially sustainable
It can only add value to what is already a great region to live, work and play.
The Northland Chamber of Commerce is Northland’s Premier Business Advocacy, Networking, Education and Marketing Group. The chamber is part of a nationwide group of 30 Chambers of Commerce and 27000 globally. Membership enquiries can be made by phoning 09-438 4771 or emailing info@northchamber.co.nz for a free membership pack.
A copy of this article can be read at www.northchamber.blogspot.com – you can also vote or leave a comment there.
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