Productivity is critical to running a successful business. But in a world of rising costs and changing job markets, businesses are finding it harder than ever to remain efficient and manage growth.

Soldo’s 2025 Productivity at Work report explores five key challenges preventing businesses from improving productivity. The report also highlights a gap between finance leaders’ goals to empower employees and the restrictive processes that make it hard for them to access budgets and make quick decisions.

Why it matters

From 2010 to 2022, the UK’s annual growth in productivity – measured as GDP per hour worked – was just 0.5%, with similar slumps seen in other G2 countries, like Italy, Germany and the US.

For businesses, improving productivity means reducing costs and increasing profitability and customer satisfaction. Companies with efficient systems and processes are more resilient to economic pressures and better able to adapt to changes.

What’s holding businesses back

Soldo’s 2025 Productivity at Work report identifies five major challenges to productivity. Some key findings include:

  • Around four out of five (76%) senior leaders say their businesses missed growth opportunities because employees didn’t have access to budgets
  • While almost three-quarters (71%) of finance teams report that outdated processes stop them from supporting new initiatives
  • Two-fifths (40%) of employees believe productivity would improve with easier access to company money.

The figures highlight the disparity between leadership intent and what employees experience day to day. Without the right systems in place, businesses can’t act quickly on opportunities, and finance teams remain stuck in reactive roles.

Finance’s role in driving productivity

Finance teams are uniquely positioned to influence productivity across businesses. By reducing bottlenecks and improving budget management, they can support faster decision-making and more effective resource allocation.

Businesses that align their decentralised spend management processes with their growth ambitions can address inefficiencies, unlock growth opportunities and build a more sustainable future.

To find out more about the challenges faced and how finance leaders can address them, get Soldo’s 2025 Productivity at Work report.

Report data

Soldo’s 2025 Productivity at Work is based on insights from 2,405 respondents in the UK and Italy:

  • 205 senior leaders in finance teams/departments, including CFO, VP of Finance, Head of Finance, Finance Director and Finance Transformation Director
  • 200 Finance Managers, Financial Controllers and Finance Assistants
  • 2,000 employees who are responsible for spending company money across HR/people, IT, administration, marketing, production and operations.