Daniele Tramontin, Commercial Director adecco Outsourcing responds to an interview focused on the results of the study in the following lines: II Efficiency Barometer newly released by the company. The main conclusion here is that compared to last year’s data, productivity has decreased in Spanish companies this past year.
They have just released their II Adecco Outsourcing Barometer on productivity, and the first information it shows is that the Spanish company’s average score in productivity level dropped last year. What do you think is the reason? ?
Our barometer collects the views of more than 2,000 executives on their company’s productivity level, and this second edition actually saw a decline in their perceived productivity level over the previous year. After analyzing the data, we can conclude that doubts about the future of the economy and the radical change in flexibility management introduced in the recent labor reform are the two main reasons for this decline.
Are Spanish companies less competitive compared to those around us in Europe? How can we deal with this situation?
According to official data from Eurostat, the Spanish economy is seven points higher than the European average and even more so than the main economies of the Eurozone. The reasons are mainly identified in less technological development, less investment in human capital and infrastructure, as well as inefficiencies in the labor market.
Are there sectors with better efficiency and productivity than others, and why are they better positioned?
The finance, technology, food and automotive sectors are among the most productive: the keys to this high rate are investments in technology and robotization of these sectors, in addition to their size, as we are talking about a high volume of units produced. (or transactions) by business center. The size of the companies is a factor directly related to productivity, and the high number of SMEs in our country is a factor that worsens the comparison with other neighboring countries.
In the barometer they devote a dedicated section to productivity on health. How can we measure that good health results in greater productivity?
Having good health comes back to the two determinants of productivity. On the one hand, absenteeism: Meanwhile, it is impossible to sustain competitive productivity data, with high absenteeism rates without an increasing trend in Spain alone. On the other hand, it is clear that little attention paid to the ergonomics of processes or the quality of the work environment results in less well-being for the worker. For this purpose, comprehensive measurement and monitoring of absenteeism data, as well as work environment surveys, are essential tools for taking measures to increase productivity.
According to your research, 6 out of 10 companies associate salaries with productivity and results (at least some of the variable). Would this attribution be the fairest way to reward employees? Will it solve the problem of slower pay raises? inflation?
Salary is a key motivator for employees, an important factor but not everything; Motivation is the other essential engine for productivity. Therefore, linking part of the salary with the development of your company or project perfectly combines these two factors. However, establishing an accurate variable remuneration policy is not easy and requires a comprehensive communication process. In any case, I do not believe this is a solution to rising inflation and actually connecting the two concepts seems very complicated. because for many companies, an increase in inflation means a decrease in sales and benefits, and therefore a variable salary resulting in lower success.
Finally, is outsourcing services an adequate way to increase companies’ productivity? In any industry?
Companies are fully aware of the activities and processes that set them apart from others in terms of product or service or efficiency and competitiveness. It is in these activities and processes that every company should invest and focus all their efforts. In an increasingly competitive environment where it is becoming increasingly complex to manage the needs of each area, not only at the people level, but also at the technology or process level, it is recommended that all ancillary processes be left to a third party that implements continuous improvement. So equip yourself with partners to help you reduce business risk and make the company’s “non-essential” processes more efficient.