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Tools and Techniques for Productivity
Digital upgrading is an effective approach for SMEs to improve productivity. In this transition, data generated from all aspects of operations are collected, analyzed, and become insights to optimize processes, prevent disruptions, predict demand, and make informed decisions.
However, as indicated in a 2019 OECD report, SMEs face significant challenges in identifying and processing relevant data, lack resources for data applications and analysis, and find it difficult to set clear strategies for data governance and data project implementation. These limit their potential for higher productivity and effective digital upgrading. To unleash the power of data, it is necessary to develop the capabilities of SMEs in acquiring and analyzing data to make objective decisions.
This e-course aims to provide fundamental knowledge of data analytics and share practical techniques and tools empowering SMEs to benefit from that knowledge to prepare for successful digital upgrading.
Course Objectives
The main objectives of this course are:
Course Modules
This e-course will cover the following modules: Module 1: Data thinking: Value of data for SMEs Module 2: Data, data collection, and data organization Module 3: Data visualization Module 4: Data analytics application: Initiating a project Module 5: Big data, machine learning, and AI
Important Notes:
Data modeling is a technique for identifying and assessing the data requirements for supporting business activities within the context of an organization's information systems. It involves collaboration among data experts and business stakeholders as well as potential information system users. Data models are essential for bringing together all segments of an enterprise, including IT, business analysts, management, and others, to cooperatively design information systems. A comprehensive data model is the key to the development of functional, useful, secure, accurate databases that ultimately improve the productivity of human resources and thus their organizations.
No organization can ignore the importance of data today, especially when it comes to improving productivity through measurement metrics based on accurate data. Extracting such data in the most efficient way enables data-driven decision-making. Managers’ and policymakers’ decisions are increasingly based on data-driven models and analyses using various statistical and optimization methods, which have altered the way we do business.
This e-course will explore the fundamental concepts of data modeling to develop systematic frameworks for decision-making in a dynamic, data-driven setting. It will also address how to use historical as well as real-time data to design fundamental models, optimization methods, and tools to help solve decision problems. These methods can increase productivity and efficiency based on traditional as well as cloud-based data-modeling techniques.
This e-learning course will cover the following modules: Module 1: Introduction to data modeling Module 2: Data modeling, big data, and examples Module 3: Data modeling and data analysis Module 4: Data analysis and intelligence Module 5: Data modeling for productivity improvement and decision-making
Digital marketing involves using digital tools to reach and engage with customers and potential customers. It is a critical marketing channel. With the shift in business models, current marketing practices must also be updated. Digital marketing strategies involve the use of search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, display advertising, and more. By leveraging these channels, businesses can increase their marketing productivity as well as visibility and build relationships with target audiences.
Thus, a digital marketing strategy can be used as a guiding document to determine which activities are required to achieve the desired results. This course will offer practical, effective ways to develop and enhance digital marketing strategies for different types of organizations, measure their impact, and familiarize participants with the latest trends in this area.
This e-learning course will cover the following modules: Module 1: Digital marketing basics, channels, and identifying a “lightning-rod” target audience Module 2: Goals, objectives, and value proposition design Module 3: Developing content strategy, campaign planning, and tools and platforms Module 4: Competitor analysis, analytics and measurement and latest digital marketing trends Module 5: Measuring the impact of digital marketing
This e-learning course will cover the following modules: Module 1: Introduction to EC and business planning Module 2: EC pricing strategies for profit maximization Module 3: EC promotion and advertising strategies Module 4: EC payment and shipping strategies Module 5: Inventory management, customer service, and feedback for EC success
As a major engine for value addition in supply chains, employment, income generation, and innovation momentum, SMEs are crucial for economic development. However, the business scopes, scales, models, management styles, and levels of technological adoption of SMEs vary so significantly that it is exceptionally challenging to evaluate their performance against common benchmarks and formulate strategies for continued improvement and gainsharing.
SMEs encounter difficulty in assessing their performance because they lack record-keeping and data collection capacity and have insufficient access to techniques for analysis. They also have fewer resources to prioritize productivity measurement as a key factor for continued growth. With wider access to the internet and digital technologies, SMEs can now more easily track, measure, and benchmark the returns on resource inputs and overall performance.
It is therefore necessary to share practical approaches and digital tools to assist the continuous improvement of SMEs. This e-course will provide updated knowledge and tools for productivity measurement and analysis to assist SMEs in sustaining improvement in the digital economy.
This e-learning course will cover the following modules: Module 1: Productivity in SMEs: Concepts and implications Module 2: Latest tools and methodologies for productivity measurement and analysis Module 3: Productivity measurement: Practical steps for applications in SMEs Module 4: Case studies: Productivity measurement and analysis in the manufacturing and service sectors Module 5: Sustaining growth through productivity gainsharing systems
Digital transformation may be viewed as continuous improvement of business capabilities. There are many opportunities for SMEs to derive economic benefit from digital transformation. The IoT, big data analytics, AI, blockchains, 3D printing, etc. enable SMEs to create better products and services, innovate business models, reduce time to market, and build more integrated, flexible, responsive supply chains. Digitalization lowers transaction costs, provides easier access to information, and creates a level playing field where SMEs have opportunities to compete against larger firms with more resources. Digitalization also provides SMEs greater access to global markets, and newer cloud-based business models allow them to reach customers from anywhere, any time. Financing and access to global talent through digitalization are two additional opportunities for SMEs.
SMEs account for about 97% of developing Asian economies and 69% of national labor forces. However, according to the ADB report Asia Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Monitor (2020), the GDP contribution of SMEs is only 41%. They could therefore contribute more socioeconomic value through digitalization. However, SMEs encounter challenges due to a lack of awareness, capital, and digital skills. SMEs need digitalization to both survive and thrive. History suggests that crises such as the current pandemic bring out the best from startups and SMEs. SMEs in the grocery, healthcare, beverage, and IT support sectors have had success through digitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This e-course aims to equip SMEs with the necessary digital toolkit comprising skillsets, mindsets, and strategy toolsets along with relevant frameworks and best practices necessary to succeed in the digital transformation journey in the new normal. The course will introduce key digital transformation technologies and discuss case studies illustrating the power of digitalization. It will also explain how digital technologies are relevant, useful, scalable, and economically viable. The course will take a human-centric view, allowing easy adoption of digital technologies in the context of SME operations.
Course Objectives:
Course Modules:
This e-learning course will cover the following modules: Module 1: Introduction to digital transformationThis module covers definitions, drivers, barriers, business impact, and approaches to digital transformation along with successful global case studies.Module 2: Digital transformation strategies, policies, and frameworksThis module presents strategies, frameworks, and tools participants could use for designing the transformation journey in their organizations.Module 3: Digital transformation technology toolkitThis module introduces nine key technologies that enable digital transformation along with examples of their use.Module 4: Human-centric digitalizationThis module takes a human-centric view of both management and technology when undertaking sustainable digitalization initiatives. Module 5: SME digital transformation case studies and best practicesThis module takes a deep dive into SME digitalization through case studies, along with “next practices.”
Productivity matters because it can drive growth in the quantity and value of national output. This can lead to improved economic growth and sustain the competitiveness of countries in the global market. Recognizing the importance of this, the pursuit of higher productivity has become the main development agenda item of most countries. This requires a pool of practitioners fully equipped with skills, knowledge, and ability to lead productivity improvement initiatives through promotion, consultancy services, and training.
As the leader of the productivity movement in the Asia-Pacific region, the APO has developed many effective programs to enhance the capacity building of NPOs that serve as productivity champions in their countries. The programs known as Development of Productivity Practitioners (DPP): Basic and Advanced have been implemented for more than two decades with the main objective of creating a pool of experts and specialists in productivity improvement at the organizational and national levels.
To expand the coverage of those programs, the APO launched self-e-learning courses to provide a clear understanding of the background of the productivity movement in the Asia-Pacific, fundamental concepts of productivity, and selected tools and techniques for productivity improvement. This course is considered to be a foundation and is necessary preparation before participants take the APO-certified Productivity Practitioners course. The content was developed with support from a technical expert team in the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), the NPO of that country and long-term host of the APO multicountry DPP: Basic project. The team is headed by Senior Fellow Carlos A. Sayco, Jr. and APO Honorary Certified Productivity Practitioner and former Director, Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Niña Maria Estudillo, both of the DAP.
Course Instructions
– There are six modules in this course. Please start with Module 1 and complete each module in order.
– The recommended timeline to complete each module is:
Days 1–2: Module 1 + Quiz 1
Days 3–4: Module 2 + Quiz 2
Days 5–6: Module 3 + Quiz 3
Days 7–9: Module 4 + Quiz 4
Days 9–11: Module 5 + Quiz 5
Days 12–13: Module 6 + Quiz 6
Day 14: Final exam
– To confirm your understanding, quizzes are provided in each module. Please answer the questions and check your score for self-evaluation. Please note that the quiz scores are not related to the final exam results.
– It is recommended that you proceed to the next module only after satisfactory completion of the preceding module.
– After completing all modules, each participant should take the final exam. Remember that you are only allowed to take the final exam once. Please ensure that you have thoroughly understood all modules before taking the final exam.
– After completion of the course, the APO will provide e-certificates to successful participants from APO member countries who pass the final exam (minimum passing score is 70% or 70 points). Please also note that only participants who pass the self-e-learning course are eligible to apply for APO Certification Program for Productivity Practitioners.
The objectives of this course are for participants to acquire and enhance knowledge of the fundamentals of productivity concepts, principles, tools, and techniques. Specifically, at the end of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Participants who register to take this course and pass the final examination with a score of 70% or higher will be eligible to receive the APO certificate. Please note that the final examination can be taken only once. Therefore, you decide when you choose to take the examination. Please note that the self-assessment quizzes are for your own evaluation and have no relation to the final examination results.
2. Participants who perform well in this course and receive the APO certificate will be given preference, on a merit basis, for selection to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO project on certified productivity practitioners, provided that their nominations are received through their NPOs and slots are available.
3. Notes 1 and 2 are applicable only to participants from APO member countries. Participants from nonmember countries are welcome to take the course for self-improvement, though they will not get an opportunity to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects.
Course Overview
The overall objective of the course is to discuss and explain the significance and ramifications of supply chain resilience in organizations. It is also meant to achieve the following detailed objectives:
The Self-learning e-Course on Productivity Tools and Techniques (Advanced) is a continuation of the Self-learning e-Course on Productivity Tools and Techniques (Basic) launched earlier by the APO. While the basic e-learning course introduces productivity fundamentals, this course provides knowledge on selected advanced productivity improvement tools and techniques such as measurement techniques, statistical data analysis, lean concepts, and the business excellence framework. Therefore, participants who have completed the basic course are encouraged to enroll in the advanced course. In addition, this is a prerequisite course for participants from APO member countries before attending multicountry face-to-face courses on similar topics.
The content was developed with support from a technical expert team of the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC). The faculty comprises Senior Manager Shuhaimi Hamad, Manager Saliza Saari, Senior Consultant Mohd. Hilmi Idris, and Associate Consultant Shaharum Ashaari, all of the MPC.
– There are five modules in this course. Please start with Module 1 and complete each module in order.
Days 1–2: Module 1
Days 3–4: Module 2 + Quizzes 1 + 2
Days 5–6: Module 3
Days 7–9: Module 4 + Quizzes 3 + 4
Day 11: Final exam
– To confirm your understanding, quizzes are provided on each module. Please answer the questions and check your score for self-evaluation. Please note that the quiz scores are not related to the final exam results.
– After completing all modules, each participant should take the final exam (40 multiple-choice questions). Remember that you are only allowed to take the final exam ONCE. Please ensure that you have thoroughly understood all modules before taking the final exam.
– After completion of the course, the APO will provide e-certificates to successful participants from APO member countries who pass the final exam (minimum passing score is 70% or 70 points). Please also note that only participants who pass the self-e-learning course are eligible to apply for the APO Certification Program for Productivity Practitioners.
The objective of this course is to enable participants to understand the concepts and methodology of advanced productivity tools and techniques. Specifically, at the end of the course, participants will be able to describe, explain, and use the techniques and tools learned within their organizations and in offering consultancy services, especially to SMEs.
2. Participants who perform well in this course and receive the APO certificate will be given preference, on a merit basis, for selection to attend the follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO project on certified productivity practitioners or relevant specialized courses, provided that their nominations are received through their NPOs and slots are available.
3. Notes 1 and 2 are applicable only to participants from APO member countries. Participants from nonmember countries are welcome to take the course for self-improvement but not able to get opportunities to attend follow-up face-to-face multicountry APO projects.