IT Management Slideshow:
IT, Processes Fuel Productivity Gains

It’s not news that times are tough, and have been for a while. Jobs are scarce, and pay is largely flat. If there’s any bright spot in the business economy, a report from Deloitte finds that productivity has actually increased in these uncertain times. According to Deloitte’s findings, 70 percent of the 696 midmarket executives polled in the U.S. said productivity has climbed 70 percent since the Great Recession began in December 2007. For these companies, it’s all about business processes and technology—not people. Automation and the efficiencies it brings have always promised great things, and for these respondents, the vision has become reality. But while hiring en masse has not been a viable option, respondents say they’re getting more from their existing workforce. Tough times can bring positive benefits for some, it appears: these executives cited better morale/teamwork, and more skilled and educated workers as a bonus in keeping their business machine running. The survey was conducted from July 19 to August 15, 2011; these findings are responses to the question, “What were the top three reasons behind the rise in productivity at your company since the onset of the recession?” Only time will tell if these ingredients will continue to drive the recipe for success. But the major gains in business process improvement and technological enhancement should make CIOs and other IT leaders feel a sense of accomplishment…for now.