India is held up as the latest 'economic miracle' - transforming its economy over the last 20 years.  It is often suggested that success is down to 'hard' factors - such as technical ability, capital investment - and, of course, cheap labour. But India has recognised the importance of 'softer' skills ands factors - such

I talked last week about AI - posing the question whether this is the next big technological driver of productivity improvement. Of course, some people are really worried about AI - and its effects on jobs, suggesting that most jobs in time can and will be replaced by some form of automation. However, before that

Technological innovation can drive massive productivity gains - but it is some time since we have had innovations of the size of those in the 1970s and 1980s - when the PC first hit desktops - and 'productivity software' followed. Now industry waits for the next major impetus  - and governments hope we might get

The world needs to improve productivity - if we are to raise living standards, feed the world and avoid water and fuel shortages. Yet, governments seem unable to do this - productivity has been at best sluggish over the last 10 years. Some governments - rightly - see a link between innovation and productivity -

GDP per hour worked is the normal way in which we measure - and compare - national productivity. This is at best a 'blunt instrument'.  There are so many factors that affect GDP besides productivity. So, when you read that, say, UK productivity is low compared to another country - take the information with 'a pinch

The productivity of Germany and France (GDP per hour worked) is strong - and almost identical ... even though Germany is normally regarded as a strong economy and France as a weak one. Perhaps the 'social models' that exist in much of European industry have some merit - and the UK might be better to

We've all seen technology completely disrupt certain industries - photographic film, film cameras, music recording, etc. Sometimes what emerges from this process of disruption is a changed but equally strong industry; but sometimes the disruption is so great and over such a long period that the former industry dies but the new one takes a

Donald Trump aims to 'make America great again' by re-patriating manufacturing and putting Americans back to work. Laudable aims - but practical? The second can't happen without the former .... but if he does succeed in bringing outsourced manufacturing back onshore, in the  short term at least, the US is likely to need more labour

Some of you will have made New year's resolutions. Well, don't make specific resolutions relating to work and productivity - unless itb is one to revert to 'first principles' and review: your mission and vision your critical success factors your key performance indicators. So, no quick fixes, magic bullets or panaceas.  Improving productivity takes thought

I make no apology for my continued focus on the UK. Any government should be looking to increase national productivity - by identifying key areas and key levers they can 'pull'. In the case of the UK, the National Health Service is such a large part of government spending, that driving efficiency here is essential.