“Productivity in today’s working scenario while maintaining work-life balance”

Post by Mr. Ashwin Muthiah, Founder & Chairman, AM International, Singapore

It’s a good time to have a productive discussion about productivity. A much-debated topic in today’s business world, it is often perceived through the stereotypical “employer versus employee” lens, which needs correction.

This metric of corporate success is ripe for a reinvention–both at the individual and organizational level. The beating heart of any business, employee productivity directly boosts organizational performance, in turn benefiting the economy, the country and the globe by fostering a growth-oriented reward system.

But this doesn’t necessarily mean all work and no play. Business output cannot come at the cost of the well-being of its stakeholders, whether they are employers, employees, partners or society.

When a few corporate leaders equated productivity with increased work hours recently, it sparked a debate. At the helm of manufacturing businesses that give equal importance to machine productivity with that of humans, I’d like to cue for a more holistic view.

Just as our machines need regular downtime for optimal functioning, so do the hands and minds operating them. Which is why productivity–for me–is as much about wearing the tie as about loosening it.

Productivity isn’t just about clocking more hours but also about making those hours count while maintaining a balanced life.

At AM International Holdings Private Limited, we believe that an effective employee is one who is fit, rested, and rejuvenated regularly. That’s why our progressive people policies include the 3Hs that make us human: happiness, health, and harmony.

Work-life balance, physical and mental wellness, and the ability to spend quality time with family and friends, and pursue hobbies, invariably translate into efficiency. Just as interest in the subject is key for a hard-working student to excel, relishing your role often yields better results.

Once you start enjoying your work, everything else falls into place with the four Ps of progress—passion, purpose, potential, and perseverance.

Investing in employee well-being is not just a moral imperative but also a smart business strategy. A study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that companies implementing comprehensive wellness programs experienced a 17% increase in productivity and a 41% reduction in absenteeism.

As we move forward, let’s commit to a balanced and forward-thinking approach to productivity. Instead of focusing solely on hours worked, let’s measure impact, creativity, and long-term value. By looking beyond the endgame, we can turn productivity into a healthy, wholesome arena.