Subj : World Productivity Day reminder: tech adoption isnt just a strate To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Thu Jul 31 2025 06:45:07 World Productivity Day reminder: tech adoption isnt just a strategy its growth Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2025 05:34:43 +0000 Description: World Productivity Day should be a moment of reflection and renewed ambition. FULL STORY ====================================================================== World Productivity Day should be a moment of reflection and renewed ambition for every business leader in the UK. But this year, the reality is sobering: half of UK businesses are still relying on manual, outdated processes. A recent 2025 UK Digital Maturity Survey revealed a widening gap between digital ambition and execution. While leaders talk about transformation, their teams are often held back by complexity. With countless options for new or upgraded systems, admittedly, it can feel confusing and overwhelming. Too many companies are layering on new tools without fixing the underlying infrastructure. Nowhere is this more obvious that cybersecurity . Cyber insecurity Shockingly, over half (56%) of businesses admit that awareness of cyber threats is low, and less than half provide regular training to their employees. In an era of escalating and well documented attacks, this isnt just risky, its irresponsible. In recent months, several high-profile cyberattacks have paralyzed UK businesses, disrupted public services, and exposed critical data vulnerabilities. From ransomware targeting hospital systems to breaches in supply chains, the threat is no longer hypothetical - its here, and its escalating. Attackers arent just going after data; theyre going after operational continuity. That means productivity itself is now at risk. Despite our collective awareness that digital transformation drives growth, too many organizations remain stuck with legacy systems, weak integration, and critically, poor cybersecurity. Secure IT infrastructure isnt a nice-to-have; its a baseline requirement for productivity and growth. Resilience in todays economy means being ready for disruption, and digital resilience starts with cyber readiness. Businesses can no longer afford to treat this as an afterthought. Cybersecurity needs to be embedded into strategy, work culture, and day-to-day operations. Anything less can welcome risks. The power of data Then theres data. The latest research shows that under a third (only 29%) of organizations say theyre using data to drive strategic decisions. Without the ability to harness insights in real time, decision-making becomes slower, less confident, and ultimately, less effective. For companies trying to adapt to hybrid work, respond to customer expectations, or navigate economic uncertainty, thats a major handicap. In an environment where speed and agility often determine success, relying solely on gut feeling or reports is no longer sufficient. The ability to make real-time, data-informed decisions isnt a luxury. Its essential for staying ahead. Yet, many organizations are sitting on a copious amount of unused data, either because its siloed, poorly integrated, or not trusted by decision-makers. Turning that data into a usable asset requires the right tools, yes, but also the right mindset and leadership commitment. Data maturity cant be separated from productivity . The more confidently and effectively an organization can use its data, the faster it can act, the smarter it can operate, and the more value it can deliver. So where do we go from here? A shift in organizational mindset For me, in todays economy, productivity is no longer just a function of efficiency; its a function of trust. Employees need to trust the tools they use, the systems that support them, and the data that guides their decisions. The apparent lack of awareness around data-driven decision-making and security threats points to strategic vulnerabilities. Without secure, integrated digital infrastructure, organizations will struggle to adapt, scale, or compete. The most forward-looking leaders recognize that digital maturity is now a boardroom issue, not just a technology one. It requires an organizational mindset shift to embed security, insights and agility into the way business gets done. Inaction is no longer a neutral position; its a risk to growth, resilience and reputation. And this isnt only about catching up. Its about preparing for whats next. With AI becoming more integrated into business models, the risks and opportunities tied to digital maturity will only accelerate. Leaders must start future-proofing now. Closing the gap between ambition and execution starts with leadership willing to make digital capability a strategic imperative. That means taking a clear-eyed view of the current state, identifying where the obstacles are, and investing in the processes and work culture that support transformation - not just the technology itself. Call to action World Productivity Day is a call to action for UK businesses to commit to digital maturity and redress the imbalance between ambition and execution. Technology offers extraordinary potential, but the true differentiator is how seamlessly its woven into the fabric of everyday work. The gap between vision and reality isnt just a matter of tools, its about aligning people, process and ultimately workplace experience. This starts with listening to employees, to consumers, to data. It continues with investing in change management, training, and upskilling. And it culminates in creating a workplace that feels not just more productive, but more purposeful. Let World Productivity Day be more than a moment. Make it a turning point. A turning point where productivity is refined, not just in output, but in how confidently, securely, and intelligently we work. Because in todays world, adopting technology isnt just a strategy. Its how we evolve. We list the best employee management software . This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/world-productivity-day-reminder-tech-adoption-is nt-just-a-strategy-its-growth --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .