Productivity as Strategy Competing and Growing in a Changing UK Economy - Webinar March 2026

Why It Matters

In a climate of stagnant growth and rising costs, mastering strategic productivity equips UK businesses with the agility and value creation needed to thrive, directly influencing competitiveness and long‑term profitability.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic productivity drives resilience amid UK economic slowdown
• Five drivers: technology, skills, leadership, communication, finance are essential
• Productivity is multi‑dimensional, not just harder work for businesses
• Continuous learning and culture are essential for tech adoption
• Leaders must align operational, tactical, and strategic productivity

Summary

The webinar, hosted by Alliance Manchester Business School, examined how UK firms can use productivity as a strategic lever to compete and grow in a sluggish economy. Panelists – Professor Bart van Arnh, sustainability expert Eileen Donnelly, and Playdale president Barry Ley – discussed the nation’s weak 0.7% growth forecast, rising energy costs, and looming inflation, framing productivity as a resilience‑building capability rather than a mere efficiency metric.

Bart outlined three productivity layers – operational, tactical and strategic – and identified five critical drivers: technology (especially digital and AI), workforce skills, leadership and management, communication, and finance. He emphasized that technology alone cannot deliver sustained gains; it must be paired with continuous learning, a supportive culture, and clear communication to translate into strategic value for customers.

Eileen highlighted how effective management practices boost discretionary effort, creativity, and employee well‑being, turning productivity into a competitive advantage. Barry shared Playdale’s journey from incremental, metric‑focused improvements to a three‑dimensional productivity culture, noting that cultural change takes roughly a decade but becomes self‑reinforcing once embedded.

The discussion underscored that CEOs should prioritize strategic productivity to future‑proof their organisations, leveraging the five drivers to navigate external shocks and internal innovation. The panel also promoted Alliance Manchester’s executive course, which equips leaders with tools to integrate these drivers and drive sustainable growth.

Original Description

Find out more about our Strategic Productivity course - https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/executive-education/short-business-courses/strategic-productivity/