Focus on Efficiency and Productivity
From The Press in Christchurch

Cost control, efficiency improvement and finding new customers are the main challenges facing South Island business leaders during the next five years.

This was revealed in a recent survey conducted by chartered accountancy firms Polson Higgs and McCulloch & Partners.

“As a firm, Polson Higgs is responding to the same issues being highlighted in the survey,” Mike Rondel, a partner at Polson Higgs, says.

“Our focus is on increased efficiency and productivity.  The recent upgrade to our Dunedin office and the planned move to the new Club Tower office in Christchurch in October reflect our commitment to providing our staff with modern, efficient and sustainable work spaces. We are making investments now to position the firm well for the future.”

In the recent survey, business leaders reported facing business challenges relating to:

• Developing new products and services
• Finding new customers (as the spend of their existing customers has dropped)
• Dealing with regulation (perhaps the expectation that a new government would quickly deal with red tape have not been realised)

As the employment market has softened, recruiting and retaining talent has become less of an issue than it was in December, 2008.

Fewer business leaders reported using direct rewards to attract and retain talent. These include increased financial rewards, flexible working arrangements, career enhancement opportunities and early opportunities for responsibility.

More business leaders are reporting they are focusing on establishing a clear culture and values in their organisations. This may be seen as a response to the stresses that economic uncertainty and associated restructuring create.

Most respondents report the incidence of the following behaviours has increased:

• Willingness to innovate and explore business opportunities
• Teamwork and collaboration with colleagues
• Employee motivation to perform

They were divided on whether employees’ ability to manage stress, manager tension and conflict in the workplace and maintain work life balance had increased or reduced.

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Last updated: 28th Aug, 2009 | 5:10  am