It's Economics - The Nation is Producing More with Less

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that our economy’s productivity level increased at an annual rate of 9.5% during the third quarter of 2009. Surprisingly, this increase was the largest gain since 2003. Further, productivity has actually increased consistently throughout this recession. At the same time, the number of hours worked decreased by 7.5% and labor costs shrunk by 6.1%! How is this possible!!! Harvard University Professor Dale Jorgenson declared this economy as a "Productivity Paradox" because the "economy is in a downturn and at the same time it's becoming more competitive."

The Economist indicated that recent employment reduction may be more permanent than in previous recessions. Organizations appear to be approaching this economy radically difference than historical evidence demonstrates. The primary reason for this trend is that companies have strategically integrated technology into their businesses. Employees are able to complete all necessary work with fewer helping hands. Although history has demonstrated an increase in workforces at the tail of economic downturns, this recession will be unprecedentedly unique. Rather than rehiring staff, executives are pausing to determine their new levels of capacity that have been enabled by leveraging technology.

Unfortunately, the affordable housing industry has been reluctant to adopt technology. Many industry participants consider themselves technically savvy because their employees have acquired personal computers with email, word processors, and spreadsheets. However, these tools simply increase the speed of existing processes. If the company’s operation is not effective, the business has simply accelerated the occurrence of problems –with increased risk.

Those who are leading the industry have done so by leveraging simple, low-cost, but extremely effective tools. That is because leaders intuitively recognize the plummeting cost of technology can deliver an extremely favorable return. Simply for demonstration, the Starta Enterprise offers a effective solution for affordable housing developers or syndicators for as little as $40 monthly. While the cost to development Starta’s technology demanded 8 years and exceeded $7 million, businesses can quickly draw benefits that enable increased production, greater revenues and sound compliance. Starta has proven it value by managing more than 7,000 developments and 13,000 funds (loans, grants, NMTCs and LIHTC funds). Starta’s clients have quickly benefited from the intuitive service that directs the flow of documentation, tracks pipeline development, alerts key staff of approaching issues and provides in-depth analysis of deals. Starta deliver! s more value than several employees at a fraction of the cost. When one considers an employee’s cost at $3,000 to $8,000 per month, the value to cost ratio of technology is astounding.

Some believe that some business owners remain reluctant for the fear of having to add technical staff or purchase computer systems. However, this concern remains unwarranted with the rapid increase of Software as a Service solutions (also known as SaaS solutions). Just as a company does not need to manage a nuclear plant to acquire electricity, SaaS technologies deliver easy-to-use services via the Internet. The similarity of the nuclear plant analogy continues by eliminating capital costs. Therefore, SaaS is often referred as a “Utility Service”. A company can quickly engage a SaaS solution and employees simply access the service just as easily as a staff member can plug-in a lamp.

If the economy continues to challenge your business, consider offloading the pressure to a resource that may demand hundreds –rather than thousands per month –a resource that remains available 24 hours a day/7 days a week and available anywhere. SaaS solutions are easy to acquire and quick to learn. Best of all diminishing prices for technology have positioned business to receive extremely attractive pricing. Consider taking advantage of technology to enable your business to thrive in the current and increasing demanding economy.