Improve competitiveness through better working practices

Small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs) in the UK have been urged to adopt new working practices or risk losing their 'competitiveness' in the global market.

Former Confederation of British Industry director general Sir Digby Jones has called on UK firms to show more creativity and flexibility.

Mr Jones comments come as part of National Work Wise Week, an initiative which aims to encourage flexible working and raise awareness of its benefits.

He said that a successful economy was "dynamic", suggesting it was about applying knowledge and more than just working extra hours.

"Businesses need to face up to all these new challenges now," he revealed, warning that Britain risked losing its status as one of the world's most progressive economies.

"The impact of the wider adoption of new smarter working practices will be profound, as some businesses have already discovered," he said.

"Not only will there be improvements in productivity and competitiveness but also in the wellbeing of staff which in turn impacts positively upon employee relations. This is not about working harder but more cleverly."

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