stluciancpc

A desk stacked with papers; an inbox overrun with e-mails; incessant meetings; a never-ending to-do list; Does this scenario sound familiar?

The fast pace of the contemporary workspace has resulted in many misconceptions as it relates to productivity. While the average worker may consider themselves to be productive, they are more often than not suffering from “busy bee syndrome.”

The notion of productivity as a vehicle for greater efficiency has become increasingly popular during the past decade. Notwithstanding this apparent popularity, there is still a general lack of understanding and confusion around the term and what it signifies.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) defines productivity as, “the ratio between the output volume and the volume of inputs.” In essence, productivity seeks to measure the level of efficiency with which inputs (e.g. labour) are used to produce outputs. One can therefore conclude that the overall objective of productivity, is to efficiently use inputs/resources and master the art of accomplishing more with less.

Why then is it that the employees within all sectors and at all levels within organizations, continue to harbour the belief that being a work martyr (i.e. spending more hours working on multiple tasks) translates to maximum productivity?

By understanding what productivity means and recognizing the symptoms of “busy bee syndrome” employers and employees can take the necessary steps to be truly productive.

Productive or Busy? – Here are some tips to help you recognize the symptoms of busy bee syndrome and suggestions on how to nip them in the bud and harness your productivity:

1.  Too little time! So much to do!

It manifests itself in such a sneaky manner that you sometimes do not even realise what is happening. If you constantly find yourself talking about having ‘too little time and so much to do,’ chances are that you have already caught the “busy bee bug.” The good news is that there are remedies for this problem. Part of being productive is understanding how to prioritize. There are only a limited number of hours in the work day. Planning beforehand what you wish to accomplish on a given day (developing a schedule), setting goals and prioritizing work will help you to keep organized and efficient. While unexpected situations may arise, by having a plan and leaving room for eventualities, you will not only feel less overwhelmed but also accomplish more.

2. Robot mode- No time for breaks!

Tempting as it may seem to never take a break (e.g. skipping meals), all in the name of producing more, this practice can actually be counter-productive. It may seem that you are losing valuable time every time you take a break, however, research has proven that taking a five (5) minute break every ninety (90) minutes not only allows you rejuvenate and refuel but similarly refocus your concentration and improve your productivity.

3. Master Multi-tasker

Have you ever heard the saying, “Jack of all trades, Master of none?” This is a perfect depiction of the effect that “multi-tasking” has on productivity. With the advent of technology, it has become increasingly difficult to resist the urge of answering every e-mail the moment it comes in, while responding to telephone calls on multiple devices. However, in the very same way it is impossible to be in two places at once, it is also impossible to give maximum attention to two or more activities simultaneously and anticipate an efficient/quality output. Handling one assignment at a time allows you to focus your attention, thus completing tasks in a more efficient manner.

4. Saying Yes To Everything (Otherwise known as “the-bend-til-I-break-disease”)

Considering the amount of time you spend at work, it undoubtedly feels good knowing that you have colleagues that you can rely on. Employees working for the same organization may be working towards the same overall goals/objective, however, owing to the nature of individual roles, they are bound to have different priorities. While it is important to be accommodating and help those we work with, we must understand that although it may be difficult, saying no is often necessary.

It is important to assess every request and determine whether what you are being asked to do is high priority, whether it will affect any other high priority tasks you are currently working on and whether the time constraints will impact on the quality of your delivery.

Employees and employers alike tend to blur the lines between busy and being productive.” In the novel, Financial Management for Nurse Managers: Merging the Heart with the Dollar, authors Janne Dunham-Taylor and Joseph Z. Pinczuk state that, “Contrary to popular beliefs, we need to learn how to slow down or thinking at times, not to speed up. […] The never-ending checklist is always present and demanding attention.”

There will always be work to be done. Productivity is understanding which work actually translates to achieving strategic objectives and meeting goals and which tasks are simply keeping us busy without any real gains.

About the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)

Established in October 2013, The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) is responsible for the identification of key issues related to competitiveness and productivity in Saint Lucia.

The NCPC and its Technical Secretariat is committed to providing the necessary advocacy and research to produce timely and effective recommendations to policymakers on issues that affect both competitiveness and productivity on island.

For more information about productivity or on the NCPC, visit www.stluciancpc.org; www.facebook.com/stluciancpc, call 468-5571/5576/1587 or send an e-mail to stluciancpc@gmail.com.

No two individuals are the same. We have our own wants and needs, our own tastes and peculiarities.  This is seen to be true, both in our personal or professional lives. Even at work we have our own likes and dislikes.  As a result of this, managers have come to the realisation that while cash bonuses and pay increases can motivate some employees, money does not motivate everyone. Even in the case of the same person- our wants and needs change over time, therefore what motivates us today, might not motivate us tomorrow. In seeing this dynamic in the work place, many managers have turned to non-cash incentives as an alternative to bonuses.
In his book ‘1001 Ways to Reward Employees’ Bob Nelson states that whilst cash is widely appreciated and needed in most cases, employees feel more rewarded when they receive something that they may not acquire otherwise or something that they have longed for over a lengthy period of time.  Recently, it has been noted that in the right circumstances and in the right combination, non-cash rewards are even more effective at bringing about higher levels of productivity from staff.
With many managers contemplating changing the way in which they reward employees, Nelson continues by stating that the best way to set up a rewards policy that everyone is happy with is  through open dialogue with employees. This will help determine what inspires each one of them to do their best. Supervisors need to understand the type of reward that will stimulate the participant group. Whilst money may still be the incentive for some, recognition or more challenging assignments may be more desirable and exciting for others.
He writes that organisations should:

• match the reward to the person,
• match the reward to the achievement, and
• be timely and specific.

There are different kinds of non-cash incentives that can be rewarded to staff. Whilst some are non-monetary, others consist of cash and a keepsake. Incentives that can be considered include:
Recognition– The act of simply saying ‘thank you’ in public and the presentation of a tangible gift has multiple functions. To the employee, recognition signifies that someone noticed and someone cares. To the rest of the organisation, recognition acts as a guideline for standards, signifying what constitutes outstanding performance.
Time Off- In receiving paid time off, an employee’s job satisfaction is increased. They are given the opportunity to pursue a hobby or to simply relax without having to take on the extra burden of contemplating how the time off allotted will affect their earnings. The reward of a day off can be given when a staff member maintains perfect attendance, exceeds monthly sales or production goals or provides the department with an innovative solution to a business problem.
Development Opportunities/ Success– Recent arguments suggest that when an employee has access to personal and professional development opportunities they may contribute more time and effort to an employer’s goals. Success can bring about financial perks, but employees need to witness that these perks are being distributed for genuine accomplishment. If the company or department is perceived to reward staff based on favouritism or increase salaries arbitrarily, it could create negative feelings to those who were not acknowledged and perhaps then lead to demotivation.
Development can be enhanced through formal training or simply by maintaining a company library full of development based resources. This will assist in the honing in on personal and professional skills.
There is no particular reward that supersedes any other as being the best type to present in recognition of superior work. Rather, the onus is on each organisation to dialogue with employees over time and therefore determine each individual’s needs and match the reward to the person and their achievements. Managers need to ensure that rewards are not blanket or a continuous copy. There needs to be diversity according to achievement. Top performers need to know that their efforts were exceptional, recognised as such and rewarded accordingly. If this is not done, these incentives will fall short of what they aim to accomplish, that being to inspire employees to be more productive.
 

Please be advised that effective Tuesday, October 25th, 2016, the NCPC will be relocated to our new premises located at:

 

The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)

4th Floor

The Finance Administrative Centre

Pointe Seraphine

Castries

Tel: 468-5571/76

 

The strength, power and capabilities of young people are undeniably irrefutable. In Saint Lucia, the youth continue to make strides in all facets of society and are often an instrumental part of the shaping of national policy. Now more than ever, concerted and coordinated efforts are being made to not only address the needs of the young population, but similarly to encourage their empowerment to express their views and harness their capacity for nation-building.

The NCPC Youth Audio Visual Competition, an initiative of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC), formally opened today as one of the highlights for the 3^rd observance Productivity Awareness Week (PAW). Through this competition, youth in Saint Lucia will have the opportunity to produce a 10-15 minute audio visual piece to depict issues affecting productivity and competitiveness in Saint Lucia  and to propose innovative solutions.
Unveiled during a press conference at the Government Information Service (GIS) Studios earlier today, the competition has among its main objectives, the dissemination and promotion of audiovisual pieces which tackle the issues of productivity and competiveness in Saint Lucia with a focus on increasing awareness of these issues, facilitating dialogue and finding solutions. This activity is also intended to support the discovery of creative expression as an inspiration for the development of the film and audio visual fields.
Communications Specialist at the NCPC, Ms. Taluah Girard says, “These types of initiatives are extremely important. The 21^st century youth are not only knowledgeable but they are also very resourceful. Every individual has their own perception of productivity and competitiveness and the challenges which we face as a nation. The Youth Audio Visual Competition will not only allow the youth to showcase their creativity and talent, but similarly it will directly engage them by encouraging them to be part of the solution to our productivity and competitiveness challenges.  As we seek to raise awareness of these issues and inspire progress, these audiovisual pieces will play a great part in opening minds and changing the way that people view these challenges.”
The Youth Audio Visual Competition will be open for submissions through November 6^th, 2016, with the winners to be announced at an awards ceremony during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in November.In keeping with the theme of innovation, 
Several corporate entities have embraced this competition.  Massy Stores (SLU) Ltd., CPR and The Directors Institute of Media and Technology have agreed to offer prizes ranging from stationery hampers, tablets and scholarships to pursue a 2D Animation course. The top (3) winning entries will also have the honour of being screened at the 2017 Piton International Film Festival which is scheduled for next summer.
Interested youth (residing in Saint Lucia) are encouraged to visit the NCPC’s website  www.stluciancpc.org, call 468-5571/468-5576 or send an e-mail to stluciancpc@gmail.com  for detailed information on the Competition and to download ncpc-youth-audiovisual-competition-terms-and-conditions
The NCPC has made the submission process very simple, visit our electronic platform at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07edcwdoy3057fd092&llr=wsvxeybab to submit your entry.
Alternatively you can download the traditional  (Submission Form) ncpc-youth-audiovisual-competition-submission-form and submit via e-mail.
 
About the Competition
The NCPC Youth Audio-visual Competition invites aspiring youth filmmakers/producers to express their vision by creating a short 10-15 minute audio visual piece. The competition calls on youth to explore the themes of productivity and competitiveness, emphasizing what individuals and communities across the island are doing to promote action, offer solutions and inspire positive change. Participants are encouraged to use personal narratives that explore fundamental questions such as: What are some of the barriers to productivity and competitiveness in my community/on my island? What actions are being taken to mitigate these barriers? What innovative solutions do I think can be employed to resolve these challenges?

The competition never sleeps! In a developing country like Saint Lucia, with limited physical and financial resources, this reality is even more evident. While global competition continues to strengthen, in order to remain competitive, there is an increasing need to understand the factors that hinder national competitiveness and seek innovative ways to change the current landscape.
Since the formation of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) in 2013, the Council and its Secretariat has focused on raising awareness on the concepts of productivity and competitiveness and encouraging the implementation of tools and methods which seek to bring about productivity improvements locally.
For the past two years, Productivity Awareness Week (PAW), the NCPC’s flagship activity which is held in October, has provided a much needed platform for the engagement of stakeholders within the public and private sectors, to discuss challenges, share knowledge and ideas, find practical solutions to St. Lucia’s productivity and competitiveness challenges and promote the ideals of productivity and competitiveness.
This year’s Productivity Awareness Week, which is slated for October 10^th – 14^th, will be observed under the theme, “Enhancing Competitiveness through Innovation.” The activities for the Week are intended to generate a greater consciousness of the notions of competitiveness and innovation and how they work together to create and promote the environment needed for greater competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.  Some of the highlights for the week include:

• Conversation with Generation Z Feature: The role of the youth in the journey towards a more innovative and competitive Saint Lucia is undeniable. Similarly, the quality of education offered by our institutions and their ability to nurture critical and creative thinking in our students will directly impact this process. In an effort to begin the discussion on the way forward within the education sector, this twenty (20) minute feature examines the status quo while attempting to educate the populace on the thinking capacities/processes of young children and  the benefits of nurturing their creative thinking process. 

• Innovation in Education: The Secondary Schools Feature: In the past decade, the face of education has transformed drastically. A look at modern education landscape reveals a shift towards the implementation of more innovative practices and policies in schools worldwide. In some schools, innovation can be seen in the use of instructional technology in classrooms while in others this innovation is translated in the way schools are managed/organized. In enhancing the St. Lucia’s productivity and competitiveness, the NCPC has identified the youth as a crucial part of the process. This fifteen (15) minute feature will take a look at some of the innovative projects currently happening in Secondary Schools on island. More specifically, this piece will show how embracing innovation may bring about the changes that the education sector requires to continue to grow.

• Launch of the NCPC Audio-Visual Competition: Youth will be invited to submit audio-visual pieces which illustrate challenges being faced by their communities, innovative projects/actions being undertaken by business and individuals to improve on these challenges and their own view on ways in which these challenges can be addressed.

 “We are very excited about this year’s Productivity Awareness Week programme,” said NCPC Executive Director, Fiona Hinkson. Over the past two years our focus was on raising awareness and educating on productivity. This year we have taken it step further by inviting Saint Lucians to do some introspection and to challenge the existing mindset and culture and to actively play their part in the change process. We are confident that our approach this year will help to create an environment where productivity and competitiveness are able to thrive.”
 The week will run from October 10^th – 14^th and interested parties are invited asked to visit the NCPC website; www.stluciancpc.org , Facebook page;  www.facebook.com/stluciancpc  and WordPress blog;  www.stluciancpc.org or simply call us at 468-5576/71 for the full programme of activities and to find out how they can contribute to a more productive and competitive Saint Lucia.

About the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)
Established in October 2013, The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) is responsible for the identification of key issues related to competitiveness and productivity in Saint Lucia.
The NCPC and its Technical Secretariat is committed to providing the necessary advocacy and research to produce timely and effective recommendations to policymakers on issues that affect both competitiveness and productivity on island.

Children may not be motivated to do what they are supposed to do, often resulting in their parents exclaiming ‘Why isn’t my child more productive!’ As a result parents carry out various strategies to encourage their children to get on task, many a time to no avail. However, what is seldom recognised is that a child might have one or more good reasons for not doing something; a child may be confused, tired, upset, hungry, or disinterested. He may find the task overwhelming or not fully understand the significance.
The effects of peer pressure may also be a contributing cause for procrastination as could a lack of organizational or time management skills. In effect, there are many reasons why children are not motivated to accomplish their tasks barring the notion that they are deliberately and purposefully counter- productive. In addressing the issue of demotivation amongst children, there are some basic strategies which may be considered to bring remedy to this problem.  As a sequel to last week’s featured article spotlighting teenagers and their approach to productivity, the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) would like to reflect on some of the ways in which parents can assist in the drive towards greater productivity amongst the youth.

1. Help kids develop a growth mind-set. Emphasize that one step at a time is all it takes to get going placing emphasis on the importance of personal effort. Demonstrate an “I can do it!” attitude. Small accomplishments lead toward bigger ones, so provide children with direct, immediate and constructive feedback so that they can experience success along the way to task completion.
2. Encourage accountability. Children have to learn to take ownership of what they choose to do (or not do) and face the consequences of their decisions. Talk to your children about it. You might also share with them why you view challenges as opportunities to grow and why buckling down and taking control of a situation is not only gratifying but is also good preparation for other eventualities of life.
3. Make it meaningful. If a task is not relevant to a child, chances are it will not get done. If it’s interesting and relates to something important or intriguing, or sparks the imagination and connects to the individual’s aspirations, then chances are the child will be motivated to try it.
4. Pay attention to skill sets. Some children need new or better strategies for pacing, organizing or self-regulation. Help them find solutions to the problems they may be facing. For example, homework-related issues might involve learning to use an agenda or study guide; finding a quiet and well-equipped workspace and removing distractions. A child may also need assistance dealing with instructions, clarifying expectations or breaking a task down into smaller, manageable chunks.
5. Strive for balance. Everyone needs down time—ample opportunity to relax, play, exercise or just take a break. This is especially important for children. It also gives them a chance to reflect and to create and consolidate ideas.
6. Believe in the child. Help children develop self-confidence by appreciating their efforts and past successes. Allow them to see these successes as stepping-stones to future positive experiences and outcomes. Let children know that you are available to listen and to offer reinforcement and guidance as they continue to persevere.

Parents are well positioned to provide all of this and more, in order to facilitate their child’s productivity. By being attuned to your child’s individual needs and patterns of avoidance, it is possible to find the best kinds of strategies for a given situation. Remember to be patient, supportive, and resourceful and it will be possible to address avoidance situations as they arise.
About the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)
Established in October 2013, The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) is responsible for the identification of key issues related to competitiveness and productivity in Saint Lucia.
The NCPC and its Technical Secretariat is committed to providing the necessary advocacy and research to produce timely and effective recommendations to policymakers on issues that affect both competitiveness and productivity on island.
For more information about productivity or on the NCPC, visit www.stluciancpc.org; www.facebook.com/stluciancpc, call 468-5571/5576 or send an e-mail to stluciancpc@gmail.com
 

Defining the concept of productivity to a child can prove challenging. The children’s online dictionary ‘kids.net.au’, defines productivity as “the quality of being productive or having the power to produce.”  It is also listed as being “the ratio of the quantity and quality of units produced to the labour per unit of time.”  It is questionable however as to whether either of these definitions could be easily understood by a child. Therefore, to better assist children with a coherent understanding of the concept of productivity, parents must resort to a more practical approach through demonstration of productive practices, explaining the productive elements to be found within each approach. With continuity in the practice of teaching and employing everyday practical productivity practices, a combination of efficiency, good preparation, effective use of learning tools and materials will prove evident in the children’s need always to execute all tasks to the best of their ability.
Simple productive habits to be demonstrated to your children include;
Take Notes to Remember Something Important
Taking notes eliminates the prospect of your child having to try to recollect information at a later date. Trying to remember important information that has not been written down can prove time consuming. In taking notes, the knowledge needed is always at hand. If your child does not like the prospect of carrying around a pencil and a notepad, get them to use their tablet or smartphone. It is the action of note taking that is important, not the instrument that they use to do so.
Put Things Back Where They Belong
This action not only prevents the home from becoming cluttered, it actually saves your children from wasting time in the future. By placing items back where they belong, the prospect of having to look for them at a later date is eliminated. This practices teaches a very effective time saving strategy.
Do Not Put Tasks On Hold Until the Last Minute
Using the time allocated for a certain project properly, will help improve your child’s time management skills. Effective use of the time given to complete a project will also allow your child to carry out the task at hand to the best of their ability.
Pack Your Belongings the Night Before
By making this simple task into a habit, your child will be able to observe the effects of good preparation. Getting ready for school in the morning takes time. This task illustrates how effectively this can be done once they have packed their school bag the night before. They will also be able to see how this exercise plays a vital role as it pertains to the time they get to school in the morning and how it allows for them to be properly organised in advance.
The Better You Communicate, the Better You Will Be Understood
Children should be taught from a young age that communication is key. The better they are at communicating, the more likely they will be understood by those they are communicating with. Better communication helps to prevent false assumptions. Good communication allows for messages to be received and responded to efficiently. It dispels confusion, eliminating the possibility of time being wasted on a wrong action.
Not all children are keen on learning new lessons, especially when it means that they have to change the way in which things are done. However once a lesson becomes a habit, and the worth of each habit is realized your child will be appreciative of the productivity lessons instilled in them at a young age. It is only right to place children on the correct path which will lead to them becoming productive adults. In this way, they will be better prepared for their lives ahead.
About the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)
Established in October 2013, The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) is responsible for the identification of key issues related to competitiveness and productivity in Saint Lucia.
The NCPC and its Technical Secretariat is committed to providing the necessary advocacy and research to produce timely and effective recommendations to policymakers on issues that affect both competitiveness and productivity on island. For more information about productivity or on the NCPC, visit www.stluciancpc.org; www.facebook.com/stluciancpc, call 468-5571/5576 or send an e-mail to stluciancpc@gmail.com
 
 
 

Successful business owners and supervisors work hard at giving their staff the encouragement that is needed to perform at their greatest abilities.  This creates the right environment needed to support strong individual contributions and full team participation. Employees are then able to perform their assigned duties competently and effectively.
 Therefore, a conscientious manager is one who is aware that employees fall into varying categories, each needing to be managed and held accountable to high standards. When individuals are not held to the same high standards as their colleagues, team morale is destroyed and productivity is weakened. In his article ‘Getting The Best From Your Staff’, Ian Ferguson, contributor to the Bahamas Tribune lists the categories that employees fall into as follows:

• The Highly Motivated and Competent Employee
• The Highly Competent and Discouraged Employee
• The Hard Working and Dedicated, Yet Low Skilled Employee and
• The Low Skilled, Low Productivity Employee.

 The Highly Competent and Motivated Employee
These individuals are the top performers in an organisation. They are self-starters, results oriented and are deemed valuable assets to the organisation. They enjoy their work and so contribute their best in trying to achieve company objectives. Although this category of employee contains highly competent individuals, they should still be given the opportunity to grow through new assignments, expanded roles and positive reinforcement.
The Highly Competent but Discouraged Employee
This category contains the highest number of employees. These individuals have the potential and capabilities to perform well, but their attitude towards work has become jaded. Therefore, they produce at the bare minimum and perform below their potential.
Employees fall in this category for several reasons. These reasons can include disappointment, discouragement or boredom, the cases may vary. Regardless of the reason, these employees must be identified and communicated with. The proper management of these team players can result in them becoming the most valued assets in a company. Therefore, managers must attempt to re-engage them with meaningful tasks and applaud or reward their efforts along the way.
 The Hard Working yet Low Skilled Employee
Many leaders confuse hard work, commitment and dedication with efficiency and competency. Some would argue that it is rare to find employees with good work ethics and that once found these persons should simply be rewarded for their efforts. This is not always the best approach. A hard working and dedicated employee who is low skilled should be encouraged continuously to improve on their competencies. These individuals are indeed valuable assets to organisations. However, they can be more productive workers if they were fully trained to perform their assigned duties. These employees must be encouraged to engage in talent development initiatives and must be supported along the way. This will lead to a proficient and well-rounded employee.
The Low Skilled, Low Productivity Employee
Business owners or supervisors have to manage this category of worker under their directive. It is surprising that these employees have been allowed to produce little without reprisal. The fact is that their lack of productivity is noted, yet many supervisors believe that it is only fair to give them the chance to improve their performance. However, opportunities given are seldom ever taken.
Ferguson states ‘Companies must make the sometimes difficult yet necessary decision to release such employees, once every effort has been made to build capacity and provide training and learning opportunities for them.’ Keeping this type of employee as part of a working team often leads to a drop in morale amongst other more productive and committed members of staff. Managers should not allow this happen.
The staff of organisations consist of differing personalities. Each staff member possess their individual level of dedication to the organisation and as such they each deliver a varied level of service or expertise. An effective manager should know the employees’ skills and personalities in order to motivate each individual in the right way.  This in turn leads to a high level of productivity from all staff members.
About the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)
Established in October 2013, The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) is responsible for the identification of key issues related to competitiveness and productivity in Saint Lucia.
The NCPC and its Technical Secretariat is committed to providing the necessary advocacy and research to produce timely and effective recommendations to policymakers on issues that affect both competitiveness and productivity on island. For more information about productivity or on the NCPC, visit www.stluciancpc.org; www.facebook.com/stluciancpc, call 468-5571/5576 or send an e-mail to stluciancpc@gmail.com
 
 

 

According to the last Business Enterprise Census, the majority of establishments in Saint Lucia are small scale businesses (76%), which employ less than five persons. There is the notion that smaller businesses cannot always compete with larger establishments and that they can be easily forced out of business. This is not entirely true as smaller businesses by their very nature, are more flexible and agile and enjoy benefits that are not characteristic of larger companies.
In enhancing competitiveness, smaller companies need not focus on size but on their capability to be better, stronger and more flexible. That is, adapting to change and connecting easily with customers. Therefore having an effective customer relations strategy and analyzing the needs of customers, provide small firms with the opportunity to offer a more personalized and often more customized products or services. For example in the United States of America, in the 1960s, Domino’s Pizza paid attention to customers’ needs and outflanked their competitors- Pizza Hut. Domino’s pizza offered customers their choice of home delivery or customer pick-up as opposed to the traditional restaurant style set up which resulted in exorbitant building costs for the firm.
A great disadvantage of larger businesses is often their size, however some successful companies operate and perform like small businesses. They quickly produce merchandize to capitalize on changing customer needs and swiftly remove products for which there has been a significant decline in customer demand.
Another disadvantage of larger companies, is that significant amount of time and capital are spent in Research & Development to discover the latest trends.  In most cases, to change or introduce a new product, it has to go through different layers within the organization. A failed product would translated to wastage of valuable resources. 
A small company can have a huge competitive advantage as it may not have the burden of larger staff, larger budgets, and larger losses and are generally willing to take risks.
In dealing with fierce competition smaller companies are better placed to provide a close and personalized service to customers with the aim of retaining them. As such, the following are ways in which smaller companies can focus on building customer relation when competing with other firms:

1. Show great appreciation to customers. Writing notes and giving thank you tokens to new clients or offering discounts to the most loyal customers speaks volumes. Also, showing recognition on social media to loyal customers can be very valuable in building relationships with clients.

 

2. When faced with completion, firms should not only pay attention to the actions of their competitors. It is also important to observe the environment within their businesses. It is therefore vital that employees are appreciated, as this translates to an environment with happy employees. If employees are content they are more willing and energetic to provide a high standard of quality service to clients. Employees who are unhappy may view the complaints and requests from clients as an additional burden to them. Therefore, happy employees translate into happy customers. Happy customers stay loyal to the firm and translates increased profits.

 

3. Listening to customers is another important strategy. Very few firms take the time to stop and listen to their customers. More importantly, they should attempt to respond to customers’ needs and go beyond what is expect.

 

4. When customers are upset, this is the opportune time to show commitment towards working with them to remedy the situation. Companies should use this time to consistently follow up or possibly meet with the clients directly. It would also be useful to provide detailed updates as the company works through a particular problem. In doing so, the company is more likely to retain their customers rather than lose them to other competitors.

To conclude, larger companies do have certain advantages owing to their size. However, for smaller firms, focusing on effective customer relations provides the opportunity to remain competitive and to better understand the needs of customers. 
About the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)
Established in October 2013, The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) is responsible for the identification of key issues related to competitiveness and productivity in Saint Lucia.
The NCPC and its Technical Secretariat is committed to providing the necessary advocacy and research to produce timely and effective recommendations to policymakers on issues that affect both competitiveness and productivity on island. For more information about productivity or on the NCPC, visit www.stluciancpc.org; www.facebook.com/stluciancpc, call 468-5571/5576 or send an e-mail to stluciancpc@gmail.com
 
 

Summer is almost over and the kids are heading back to school. It’s officially time to crack down, be productive and get things done. Getting back into a rhythm after vacationing can be difficult, so here are some tech tools to make the transition as painless as possible. They can help streamline productivity and organize life — in and out of the office:
 Task management
Nose is an app that allows you to create categories to prioritize tasks, and share projects with people on your team. You will be able to see as team members’ check off tasks in real time, allowing you to stay on top of big projects. It also syncs with Evernote, Dropbox and Google Calendar, making it easy to keep all your important information updated and in one place. Although Nose is a subscription-based service, streamlined productivity is well worth the investment. Available on Mac, Windows and Linux and with mobile apps for Android and iOS, Nose seamlessly transitions from desktop to on-the-go. There’s even an app for the Apple Watch.
Nose can be a bit tricky for folks new to digital organization, so if that seems a little too complicated for your liking, Wunderlist makes a great entry-level productivity tool. Available on Mac and Windows with mobile apps for Android and iOS, Wunderlist is compatible with all major devices (including the Apple Watch).
Wunderlist allows you to organize projects by folder, set reminders and share task lists with others. Individuals can try out the free version, while Wunderlist Pro and Wunderlist for Business offer advanced capabilities for business users.
Password management
LastPass is a great basic password manager, and offers a free version, a subscription version and an enterprise option for businesses. Compatible with desktops, smartphones and tablets, LastPass stores passwords and website information in a centralized “vault,” where users can see and edit their information. LastPass also allows users to store multiple logins for the same site and input payment information to streamline online shopping.
SecureSafe is another password management tool, but it also goes above and beyond with file storage and transfer capabilities. Users can back up and organize important files in one secure location, with the ability to access them from anywhere. It’s compatible with both desktop and mobile devices, and offers options for businesses as well as individual users.
Money management
Mint is a free personal finance app that allows users to integrate multiple accounts (think banking, loans and retirement accounts), budget and keep tabs on upcoming bills. Users can track and categorize spending, set monthly goals and see visual displays of their progress. The app also offers recommendations and money management tips. While it’s compatible with iOS and Android devices, the mobile applications are read-only, so users must set up their accounts from a desktop.
Better Haves is a money management app that allows users to create virtual envelopes for customized categories, like groceries, utilities and entertainment. When spending occurs, users can deduct the amount from the specific category, making it easier to track expenses and stay on budget. Envelopes can be shared with other users, making this app particularly useful for couples. The app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and does not offer a desktop version.
Family organization
 The AboutOne Family Organizer provides parents with a centralized place to keep track of the family calendar, health and insurance paperwork, school records, vehicle information, receipts and more. It’ll also send users reminders when it’s time to fill prescriptions, make appointments or for upcoming events. There are several different pricing options available, including a basic free version. AboutOne is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Cozi is another app that allows parents to manage family schedules, shopping lists, chores, meals and more. It can send appointment reminders through the mobile app or email, and it delivers weekly agendas straight to your inbox. Cozi is available for both Android and iOS devices, and can be updated from desktops.
These apps can help make home and office life a lot more organised and productive. Keep in mind however that the use of a succession of technologically based apps can actually have a reverse effect on your productivity levels. Do not become a victim of productivity app overload. Use only the ones that truly help to streamline your work life and that aid in keeping you on track in relation to your everyday circumstances.
About the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC)
Established in October 2013, The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) is responsible for the identification of key issues related to competitiveness and productivity in Saint Lucia.
The NCPC and its Technical Secretariat is committed to providing the necessary advocacy and research to produce timely and effective recommendations to policymakers on issues that affect both competitiveness and productivity on island. For more information about productivity or on the NCPC, visit www.stluciancpc.org; www.facebook.com/stluciancpc, call 468-5571/5576 or send an e-mail to stluciancpc@gmail.com