Strategic productivity: The new imperative for SME leaders

Strategic productivity: The new imperative for SME leaders

Written by Wendy Clarke | Nexia Perth

In today’s fast-paced, unpredictable business environment, Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) owners and leaders are under pressure to deliver more. More value, more innovation, and more growth – often with fewer resources and tighter timeframes. Many are already operating at what can only be described as “peak peak performance,” where even a minor disruption can lead to burnout, disengagement, or missed opportunities. Thriving, not just surviving, begins with reframing productivity as a strategic, sustainable practice.

What is strategic productivity?

Traditional measures of productivity, like tasks completed per hours worked, are no longer sufficient. Instead, strategic productivity is about achieving high performance that is sustainable. Balancing effort with effectiveness, output with wellbeing, and value creation with operational resilience. As James Mason (Mindshop CEO), articulates, strategic productivity can be expressed as:

(Value × Quality × Strategic Relevance) / (Time × Leverage × Effort/Stress)

This formula isn’t just theoretical. It provides a practical framework for SME leaders to audit and elevate their performance across six critical levers:

1. Time: Prioritise high-value activities

Time is a finite resource. The goal isn’t to do more in less time, but to ensure every hour is spent on what matters most. This means:

• Implementing deep work blocks for high-value thinking.
• Using a weekly “ROAR” process (Review, Organise, Anticipate, Re-align) to stay ahead.
• Halving or eliminating unnecessary meetings.
• Setting clear boundaries to protect personal time and well-being.
• Building a “second brain” (e.g. using Microsoft Teams or similar tools) to capture, organise and collaborate on ideas and innovations.

2. Leverage: Build systems and teams that scale

No leader can scale sustainably alone. Strategic leverage is about designing systems and teams that multiply your impact:

• Systemise everything from onboarding to reporting using technology.
• Delegate or outsource non-core activities.
• Embrace a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) mindset: launch innovations quickly, learn, and pivot.
• Repurpose existing resources to avoid over-customisation.

3. Effort/Stress: Protect your margin

High performance without margin is a recipe for failure. Build resilience by:

• Looking three to six months ahead to anticipate pinch points.
• Locking in time for rest, learning, fitness, and family before work fills the calendar.
• Avoiding projects with high scope creep or misaligned clients.
• Tracking personal energy and recognising early signs of burnout.

4. Value: Focus on solving critical problems

Productivity only matters if it creates value. Continually ask: “Is this work highly valuable to someone important?”

• Say no to opportunities that don’t fit your ideal client or expertise.
• Know your “zebras”: Clients with the right problem, mindset, and growth potential.
• Value price with confidence when delivering genuine value.
• Align offers with clients’ most pressing issues, not just what you’re good at delivering.

5. Quality: Raise the bar

In a competitive market, average doesn’t help you to succeed. Commit to continual improvement:

• Attend training and development sessions that challenge your thinking.
• Surround yourself with high performers and learn from them.
• Seek out challenging projects that push your capabilities.
• Adopt a growth mindset – every project is a learning opportunity.

6. Strategic relevance: Align with your vision

Activity without alignment is wasted effort. Ensure your work is strategically relevant:

• Have a clear 12-month vision and income matrix to focus your energies.
• Ensure services are scalable and leverageable, using digital diagnostics, courses, and online tools.
• Continually ask: Does this client, project, or initiative move me closer to my strategic goals?
• Avoid drifting into areas that dilute your positioning and brand.

Where are your biggest opportunities?

Strategic productivity isn’t improved overnight. It’s built through intentional choices, systems, and habits. Step back and ask: Where are your top three opportunities to improve your strategic productivity? Conduct a personal audit across all six levers and identify two or three key shifts you can make right now to reclaim time, elevate value, reduce stress, and align your work more strategically.

In a world full of endless possibilities, those who succeed won’t be the busiest. They will be the most strategically productive.

Next steps

Our team of experts can help you with your business strategy. Reach out to your local advisor today.

About Nexia New Zealand

Nexia New Zealand is one of New Zealand’s leading full-service chartered accounting and business advisory consultancy firms, offering the full range of chartered accounting, business advisory, corporate advisory, tax, audit, insolvency, liquidation and receivership services.

Nexia New Zealand has four offices throughout New Zealand: Victoria Street in Christchurch, Albany on Auckland’s North Shore, Newmarket in the Auckland CBD and Hastings in Hawke’s Bay

Originally published 17 September 2025 | nexia.com.au