For several years now, productivity has been at the centre of discussions among businesses, public organizations, and workers in Quebec. It is not a technical concept reserved for economists: it directly influences our ability to remain competitive, innovate, and maintain a decent standard of living for everyone.
And yet, one reality remains difficult to accept: Quebec works more, but produces less. Much less. That is where the real challenge lies. Productivity does not depend only on the number of hours worked, but on how clearly we organize work. And this is often where organizations face obstacles. It is normal for everything to seem simpler from the outside; as people say here: “It always looks easier from the balcony…”
But SME leaders know this well: day-to-day operations are demanding. Taxes, fees, constant promotions, global competition, pressure on prices… every day is an exercise in resilience. This effort deserves to be recognized, but it also deserves an honest reflection on what truly limits the potential of businesses.
According to the 2025 Productivity and Prosperity Report by HEC Montréal, Quebec ranks among the lowest performers in the OECD19 group for hourly productivity, generating 18.80 international dollars (USD PPP) less than the average. In other words, we work more hours than several comparable countries, but generate fewer results.
This does not reflect a lack of commitment. It reveals a lack of structure.
At Objectif Emploi, we regularly observe this reality during our work with businesses. Many people work with great dedication, but without a clear framework. Productivity weakens in the space of “assumptions”: poorly defined roles, unspoken expectations, procedures that exist only in someone’s head, documents that are hard to find, overloaded calendars, and too little time to actually complete tasks.
Added to this are endless meetings and postponed decisions meant to avoid discomfort. This is not a lack of will. It is a lack of clarity.
And when productivity is discussed, technology often appears as the immediate solution. We tend to believe that adopting new tools, automating, or going digital will solve everything. But our experience shows something essential: technology is only effective when the organizational culture is ready to welcome it.
Adopting a new tool means accepting a change in the way we work, questioning habits, being curious, and wanting to improve. Without that mindset, even the best platform ends up unused, creates costs, or generates frustration.
This is why we are sharing a few simple recommendations that can be applied in any company, regardless of size or sector. Small adjustments can truly transform the way people work.
5 Simple Tips to Improve Productivity in Your Company
1. Choose one priority per day
Before starting your day, ask yourself:
“If I could accomplish only one thing today, what would it be?”
This clarity reduces distraction and helps you move forward on what truly matters.
2. Give your meetings a real purpose
Not every discussion requires a meeting. And a useful meeting does not need to be long.
Before organizing one, ask yourself:
“What concrete decision should come out of this meeting?”
3. Communicate clearly and respectfully
You can be clear while remaining respectful. In fact, it is a form of respect for other people’s time.
Simple phrases such as:
“Could you send this to me by tomorrow at 3 p.m.?”
help avoid misunderstandings and make collaboration smoother.
4. Document your processes very simply
There is no need to create complex manuals. Three to five essential steps are often enough.
This reduces errors, makes it easier to onboard new staff, and ensures that knowledge is actually transferred rather than simply assumed.
5. Avoid saying: “We’ve always done it this way”
Experience is valuable, but it does not guarantee efficiency. Questioning certain habits can open the door to better ways of working and help organizations adapt more effectively to current realities.
In this context, integrating new talent can become a challenge. Even experienced people can feel held back when they join organizations where practices are never questioned. Motivation then begins to weaken, and part of the potential — both individual and organizational — remains untapped.
Conclusion
We are convinced of one thing: productivity begins with clarity.
It begins with creating environments where everyone knows what is expected of them, how to move forward, and how to contribute without burning out. Quebec does not need to work more. It already works a lot. What it needs is to work with more focus, more structure, and more openness.
And this is a path we can take together: SMEs, public organizations, employability organizations, and everyone who plays a role in the economic fabric of our province.
At Objectif Emploi, we are developing services that support retention and career development within companies, based on a simple principle: people’s well-being is the first driver of healthy and sustainable productivity.
If you feel that the efforts made within your company do not always translate into results, let’s talk. Sometimes, small adjustments are enough to make a big difference, and we would be pleased to support you in this process.
References
- Centre sur la productivité et la prospérité – Walter J. Somers (2025).
- Productivité et prospérité au Québec – Bilan édition 2025 : le déficit structurel de productivité isole le Québec et le Canada. HEC Montréal.
- https://cpp.hec.ca/productivite-et-prosperite-au-quebec-bilan-edition-2025-le-deficit-structurel-de-productivite-isole-le-quebec-et-le-canada/
