Ilian Mihov, INSEAD Professor recently nominated to become Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister, suggests that state policies should focus on achieving higher labour productivity.
“If Bulgaria becomes as rich per capita as Singapore, we will have fulfilled our goal. This will be a very hard task, but why not? 30-40 years ago Singapore was poorer than Angola but with mobilization, innovations this is possible, and Singapore is now richer than the USA. It has proven this is possible. There is no problem for Bulgaria to become a country of hi-tech and innovations in 20-30 years,” Mihov told Darik Radio on Saturday.
He stressed the fact that companies in Bulgaria must become more efficient and that obstacles to entrepreneurship must be removed.
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Friday, 22 January 2010
Does personal productivity matter?
I have just started a discussion on the Productivity Futures group on LinkedIn about personal productivity. There seems to be an increasing number of 'personal productivity gurus' all willing to share their secrets which will make each of us more productive.
I am - out of general and genuine interest - asking if this 'movement' is something more than a lifestyle fad ... the equivalent of one of those lifestyle books that emerge every so often (especially just before Christmas). Do these gurus and their secrets (which, to be fair, are not so secret since many of them give them away in their blogs)actually make a difference?
And, perhaps even more importantly, does becoming more productive,personally have an impact on organisational productivity.
I doubt it exists but I would love to see some real, robust research on the subject. In the meantime, I'll settle for people's views.
I am - out of general and genuine interest - asking if this 'movement' is something more than a lifestyle fad ... the equivalent of one of those lifestyle books that emerge every so often (especially just before Christmas). Do these gurus and their secrets (which, to be fair, are not so secret since many of them give them away in their blogs)actually make a difference?
And, perhaps even more importantly, does becoming more productive,personally have an impact on organisational productivity.
I doubt it exists but I would love to see some real, robust research on the subject. In the meantime, I'll settle for people's views.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Renewables may not renew
This renewables stuff gets harder. Hydo-electricity has always seemed a pretty safe, renewable energy source ... it continues to rain after all. Well, perhaps not. If global warmimg means water gets scarcer, and water levels go lower, it might mean existing hydro facilities become unproductive ... and fail to renew!
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Canadian productiivty drops during recession
Labour productivity in Canada has slipped during the recession, according to a report released Thursday from Statistics Canada. This is in contrast to previous recessions when productivity has risen.
These findings paint a troubled picture for Canada’s export-rich economy as there is a growing productivity gap with the United States - where productivity has risen during the recession. This makes it even harder for Canadian businesses trying to compete on the international stage.
These findings paint a troubled picture for Canada’s export-rich economy as there is a growing productivity gap with the United States - where productivity has risen during the recession. This makes it even harder for Canadian businesses trying to compete on the international stage.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Textile industry in Pakistan needs to remove key barriers
Pakistan does not have enough innovation and new product development within the textile sector and, as a result, produces mostly basic apparel products, a new report revealed.
The draft report jointly prepared by the Asian Development Bank and the government of Pakistan is part of the process of formulating a Business Development Plan, and is part of a National Trade Corridor Strategy Study.
The report points out that though the list of issues affecting the textile & apparel sector is long, there are 3 key issues that place Pakistan at a substantial disadvantage. These are value addition, productivity and customer relationships - with perhaps labour productivity acting as the key obstacle for the industry.
The draft report jointly prepared by the Asian Development Bank and the government of Pakistan is part of the process of formulating a Business Development Plan, and is part of a National Trade Corridor Strategy Study.
The report points out that though the list of issues affecting the textile & apparel sector is long, there are 3 key issues that place Pakistan at a substantial disadvantage. These are value addition, productivity and customer relationships - with perhaps labour productivity acting as the key obstacle for the industry.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Head in the Cloud
Google's move to 'cloud computing' (with all data held on the web)looks as though it might bear fruit. People's use of smartphones has transformed their attitude to 'computing' - they now expect 'instant-on', permanent web access, and regular notifications and updates from their social networks. All of this will work on the new tablets coming from Apple and others without the overhead (and long boot times) of Windows.
Of course cloud-based word processing and spreadsheeting won't have the same power as desk-top equivalents but for most people this is not a problem ... getting access to their files wherever they are more than makes up for this.
Of course cloud-based word processing and spreadsheeting won't have the same power as desk-top equivalents but for most people this is not a problem ... getting access to their files wherever they are more than makes up for this.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
ILO helps Nigeria
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has nominated Nigeria to benefit from an integrated assistance package under the Global Jobs Pact (GJP) initiative.
To this end, the organisation has requested that the Ministry of Labour and Productivity formulate a roadmap which would lead to the establishment of a finalised GJP by April 2010.
In a letter informing the Ministry of Labour of the nomination, the ILO urged the Federal Government to consider options such as public infrastructure investment, special employment programmes, broadening of social protection and minimum wages, as measures to reduce poverty, increase demand and contribute to economic stability, to achieve the job pact.
To this end, the organisation has requested that the Ministry of Labour and Productivity formulate a roadmap which would lead to the establishment of a finalised GJP by April 2010.
In a letter informing the Ministry of Labour of the nomination, the ILO urged the Federal Government to consider options such as public infrastructure investment, special employment programmes, broadening of social protection and minimum wages, as measures to reduce poverty, increase demand and contribute to economic stability, to achieve the job pact.
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