The UK’s productivity growth has lagged significantly behind comparable economies since the financial crisis, jeopardising economic recovery and living standards. If left unaddressed, the current trajectory threatens our ability to maintain, let alone improve, our quality of life.
So, it’s time for a candid conversation about the UK’s productivity challenge.
While pessimism isn’t productive, it’s undeniable that the current situation bears an uncanny resemblance to that quote (wrongfully) attributed to Albert Einstein: “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. We seem to be repeating the same actions, expecting different outcomes, and the results are, to put it mildly, frustrating.
Let’s begin with the most glaring issue. Despite living in the 21st century, we’re often mired in a quagmire of paperwork (albeit sometimes ‘digitised’) reminiscent of a bygone era. Interacting with local councils, government departments, or even many businesses, can feel like an arduous expedition through a labyrinth of forms and waiting periods. Even while some have adopted technology; they seem to have merely digitised their archaic processes. It’s akin to replacing a horse-drawn carriage with a car that still relies on hay for fuel and is limited to 5 mph. If you have the technology of the car at your disposal you can think differently about how to get from A to B, and not just copy what you used to do.
While tradition has its merits, there’s a crucial distinction between respecting the past and remaining trapped by it. In the UK, there’s a pervasive sense of clinging to outdated practices without a compelling rationale. It’s as if we’re collectively resistant to change, even when it presents itself as a means to simplify our lives.
Another frustrating aspect is our tendency to operate in silos. Businesses, educational institutions, and government bodies often function as isolated entities, very rarely sharing or collaborating on best practice or working together for a common beneficial outcome. There’s a distinct lack of knowledge-sharing and collaboration. It’s akin to everyone attempting to reinvent the wheel, but consistently producing square ones, because those that discovered that round ones are more efficient, didn’t share the information, and even if they had, everyone they told “knew best”.
Ideally, a wave of a magic wand would instil in everyone a greater openness to change and collaboration, and an excitement about reinventing the wheel for better efficiency. However, in the absence of such a magical solution, here are a few more pragmatic suggestions:
Change can be daunting, but we cannot persist in doing the same things while expecting different results – that’s insanity. It’s imperative that we break free from this cycle and adopt smarter, more efficient processes. The future productivity of the UK, and our growth, hinges on it.
At withdigital, we’re committed to helping organisations overcome these productivity hurdles. We offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to transform outdated processes into streamlined, digital solutions. From conceptualising and re-engineering workflows to building, deploying, training, and supporting end-to-end digital solutions, we partner with you every step of the way.
Our work with diverse sectors and business sizes ensures your organisation benefits from the collective wisdom and best practice of the wider business landscape. So if you are ready to unlock your productivity potential, get in touch with the withdigital team and let’s make a start.
