Workplace productivity driver 3 - Innovation and technology

Innovation is a key part of increasing workplace productivity. Productive workplaces are innovative in the way they use technology, plan and organise themselves.

Encouraging innovation and the use of technology includes:

Working out what new technologies could be useful to your business
Regularly investing in research and development
Asking employees what they think and giving people opportunities to suggest new ideas or processes
Giving staff training when a new technology is introduced
Being open to innovation and doing things differently

Encouraging all staff to think of ways to do things better and improve processes is at the heart of innovation.

New technology provides opportunity to innovate on-farm and is an emerging strategy for some of our 'good employers'.

For these employers it is not about saving labour units (although this may be an outcome) it is more about reducing the hours worked, resulting in an improved work/life balance and the a wider variety of work through the removal of mundane tasks.

"The move to once-a-day milking has been positive for us - it's about sustainability, it means better hours for staff and a happier, healthier herd."
"Technology and innovation can increase need for higher level skills (training) with a focus on more varied and responsible jobs."