While Canadian companies have been making technology investments to improve productivity, insufficient investments in their people have limited effectiveness and held back productivity gains, finds new KPMG in Canada research.
KPMG recently surveyed 250 business leaders across Canada to understand what actions they were taking to improve their operations in response to the trade war with the U.S. The results found that most had stepped up investments in technology to make their organizations more efficient and productive – and are seeing positive returns – but nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) say their employees aren’t using new technologies effectively – holding back full returns on their tech spend.
Although nearly all (89 per cent) respondents say they’re investing in upskilling employees, over half (53 per cent) say their company doesn’t invest enough in employee training, workshops or continuous learning opportunities, and nearly six in 10 (56 per cent) say their organization lacks the internal resources and talent needed to implement and use technology effectively.
Survey highlights
- 63 per cent of 250 Canadian business leaders say technology isn’t the productivity problem, their employees just aren’t using technology effectively
- 89 per cent say they’re investing in upskilling employees
- 53 per cent say their organization doesn’t invest enough in employee training, workshops or continuous learning opportunities
- 56 per cent say their organization lacks the internal resources and talent needed to implement and use technology effectively
- 74 per cent of respondents believe AI will solve their productivity challenges
- 74 per cent say they underestimated the challenges of digitization (e.g., changing processes, working habits, etc.)
- 88 per cent say they need better processes in place to encourage their workers to use technologies, including case studies and incentives
- 87 per cent say their company could do a better job of creating a culture that encourages people to share ideas and take risks, fostering innovation and creativity.
- 86 per cent say they hope that more digital savvy younger generations will help our company become more productive through the easier adoption of new technologies