Breaking the glass: how Canada’s productivity ‘emergency’ can be solved with custom software solutions

This post originally appeared on the Findan Software blog.

In March 2024, the senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, Carolyn Rogers, warned that Canada was facing a productivity emergency. This followed data from Statistics Canada showing that Canadian productivity rates had fallen for six consecutive quarters.

In Rogers’s words, “You’ve seen those signs that say, ‘In emergency, break glass.’ Well, it’s time to break the glass.”

So why does productivity matter?

You may be thinking, “Great. Productivity. I’m already working hard. I don’t want to work even harder.” Productivity is not necessarily about people working harder. It’s about ensuring that workers have access to tools that enable them to accomplish even more in their workday. In other words, it’s about delivering solutions to workers that enable them to perform their work more efficiently. It’s about how much output is created by a worker for one hour of labour input.

Simply put, imagine if you had to handwrite all your work emails rather than typing them. You’d be doing the same task (replying to messages), but handwriting them would take you longer than emailing. Perhaps you can handwrite ten messages an hour, whereas, with email, you can write twenty messages an hour. Emailing is the more productive and efficient solution, enabling you to accomplish more per workday.?

However, Canada generally lags behind the United States and other nations in investing in equipment, machinery, and intellectual property. This means that Canadian workers are not adequately equipped with “capital stock.” Put another way, we’re asking Canadian workers to handwrite their messages rather than email them.

This can have a knock-on effect on other areas of the economy, which is why the Bank of Canada is sounding the alarm.

It doesn’t have to be this way

As a Canadian-based software development company that works with clients throughout North America, we know there’s no shortage of innovation on both sides of the border. Custom software development has the potential to help workers and organizations get even more out of each and every workday.

For instance, custom software development can:

• Address specific pain points: Tailored software solutions have the potential to target inefficiencies and bottlenecks in workflows, automating repetitive tasks and streamlining processes to save time and resources.

• Enhance collaboration: Custom software can facilitate seamless communication and collaboration between team members.

• Improve data management: Efficient data handling is crucial for informed decision-making and optimized operations. Custom software solutions can be designed to collect, analyze, and visualize data relevant to a business, providing valuable insights for strategic planning and resource allocation.

• Enhance customer experiences: By developing personalized software solutions, businesses can deliver superior customer experiences tailored to individual needs and preferences. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and, ultimately, business growth.

• Adapt to evolving needs: Unlike off-the-shelf software, custom solutions can be continuously adapted and upgraded to meet evolving business requirements and industry trends. This flexibility ensures that an organization’s technology remains aligned with its strategic objectives and provides long-term value.

• Increase competitive advantage: Investing in custom software development can give businesses a competitive edge by enabling them to differentiate themselves in the market with unique features, functionality, and user experiences. This can lead to increased market share and profitability.

• Drive innovation: Custom software development encourages innovation by empowering businesses to experiment with new ideas, technologies, and approaches to solving complex challenges. By fostering a culture of innovation, organizations can stay ahead of the curve and thrive in dynamic environments.

• Support scalability: As businesses grow and evolve, their software needs may change. Custom solutions can be designed with scalability in mind, allowing for seamless expansion and adaptation as the organization’s needs evolve over time.

• Ensure security and compliance: Custom software development enables businesses to implement robust security measures tailored to their specific requirements and regulatory obligations. This helps protect sensitive data, mitigate risks, and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations.

• Maximize ROI: While custom software development may require an upfront investment, the long-term benefits in terms of increased productivity, efficiency, and competitive advantage can deliver substantial returns on investment over time. Organizations can maximize their ROI and drive sustainable growth by aligning technology investments with business goals.

At Findan Software, we’re passionate about helping organizations find adventurous solutions to challenging problems. Investing in custom software solutions can not only benefit a company’s bottom line but also aid Canada’s productivity. Custom software has the potential to increase a company’s productivity and efficiency and can even revolutionize business operations.

If you’re wondering whether a custom software solution may be right for you, please get in touch with us. We’d love to learn more about what we can do to help. Findan Software is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and we’re proud to serve clients throughout North America. From startups to multinational brands, we deliver quality custom software solutions so organizations (and economies!) can thrive.

FAQs

What specific industries or sectors within Canada are most affected by the productivity issue mentioned in the article? Are there any particular reasons why these sectors lag behind in productivity compared to others?

The specific industries or sectors most affected by Canada’s productivity issue vary but typically include manufacturing, resource extraction, and certain service sectors. Factors contributing to lagging productivity in these areas might include outdated technology, inadequate infrastructure, skill mismatches in the workforce, and regulatory barriers. Additionally, industries heavily reliant on manual labour or traditional methods may struggle to adapt to modern productivity-enhancing tools and techniques.

While the article highlights the benefits of custom software development, what are the potential drawbacks or challenges that organizations might face when implementing custom software solutions? Are there any risks associated with investing in such technology, especially for smaller businesses or startups?

While custom software development offers numerous benefits, organizations may encounter potential drawbacks and challenges. These could include higher upfront costs compared to off-the-shelf solutions, longer development timelines, and the need for ongoing maintenance and updates. Additionally, there may be compatibility issues with existing systems or resistance from employees accustomed to familiar workflows. For smaller businesses or startups, investing in custom software may pose financial risks, and it’s essential to carefully assess the potential return on investment and ensure alignment with strategic objectives. Selecting the right software development firm for your needs is also essential. Read more on that here.

The article mentions that Canada lags behind other nations in investing in equipment, machinery, and intellectual property. What are the underlying reasons for this lag in investment, and what steps can the government or businesses take to address this issue and encourage greater investment in capital stock and innovation?

The reasons for Canada’s lag in equipment, machinery, and intellectual property investment are multifaceted. Factors such as economic uncertainty, regulatory complexity, and a lack of incentives for innovation may discourage businesses from making substantial investments in capital stock. Additionally, limited access to financing, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, can hinder investment in technology and intellectual property. Also, Canada has less competition when compared to the United States for instance, and competition helps to foster innovation and growth.?