As the owner of a business, it’s important that you have the right team behind you that is doing all it can to ensure your company is a success. Employee and workplace productivity is vital for keeping your business alive and thriving, so if you have noticed any changes in how your team work, it’s up to you to step in to ensure your team is working to its full potential.
It’s also just as important to keep your team happy and comfortable in the workplace. If your employees don’t feel valued and respected at work, you may find they go elsewhere, so to reduce staff turnover and keep your business running effectively, here are 10 ways for increasing employee productivity in the workplace.
Provide the right tools
For your team to work at its best, all of its members need to have the right tools and software in place. While you may think what you already have is enough, outdated software can cause all sorts of problems. Investing in new software is not only important for your employees, but it will also make sure your customers are getting the best service possible. To help make sure your workforce is working to its full potential, there are various communication apps that can be used such as Twist and Slack, which does a great job of storing conversations, helping to keep you more organized.
Provide training
There is always something new to learn in business. As the head of a company, it’s important that you keep up with the latest developments in your sector so you can ensure your business is adhering to the latest codes of practice. Your employees need to be kept in the know, so why not provide regular training for your team? There are all sorts of benefits that training can bring, such as identifying each member’s strengths and weaknesses.
Listen to your team
As a business owner, it’s important that your team feels happy and comfortable in the workplace. Looking after your team and being on hand to provide support and guidance can make all the difference, so make sure that you schedule regular one-on-one as well as group meetings, as these can be a great way to get to know your employees on a personal level. If there is anything that is worrying your employees, getting it nipped in the bud sooner rather than later is crucial.
Reduce distractions
Whether you love it or loathe it, social media is here to stay. With billions of users logging into social media platforms like Facebook every day, the chances are some (if not all) of your team have accounts. The workplace should be for strictly that: work. So, if your team is slacking and checking their phones rather than working, instead of enforcing a no-phone policy, why not encourage your team to switch off their phones and take regular breaks on which they can use their phones as much as they please. This will mean that they return to their desks in a more productive mind-set.
Be open to change
It can be hard to get everything right in business. While you may think you’re doing the best job possible, you may not realise the damage you could be doing to your company in the long run. To begin, have a look at your business currently operates, and see if there are any flaws that could be resolved. While it may seem daunting at first, changing the way you work may be all it takes to keep your business running successfully. You should also have a look at how your staff members work to see whether they could structure their day better to ensure they reach their daily goals. Giving each member of your team a plan of action can help them prioritise tasks.
Set realistic goals
The last thing you want is for any of your team to work itself into the ground, so providing realistic and attainable goals is advised. As a business owner, it’s only natural that you will want everything completed as quickly as possible. However, looking after your employee’s health and wellbeing should be your number one priority. If your team are snowed under with work, this can cause high stress levels and decrease productivity in the workplace, so setting out goals that are achievable is key.
Delegate tasks correctly
If you aren’t delegating tasks to the right people, it’s likely that projects and tasks may not be completed on time. Each member of your team will have different strengths and weaknesses, so knowing how your employees work can help when it comes to assigning the right roles. Your employees may need to work together on projects and tasks, so if one member of the team has excellent organisational skills, giving them the power to be in charge should be a no brainer.
Improve workplace conditions
From the moment employees walk through the door, they should be in an environment that they feel comfortable in. If your workplace is too cold or too hold, you can’t expect your employees to be able to concentrate, so investing in air-conditioning and heating systems will mean that your team is comfortable and happy throughout the working day.
Reward your employees
Showing how much you value and appreciate your team is important, so why not offer incentives? If your team have worked hard on a particular project, there are lots of rewards that you can hand out that don’t have to cost a fortune. For example, giving a box of chocolates or a small bonus to say thank you will go a long way.
Gain new skills
There are lots of key skills that you can learn yourself as a business owner that you can use to your advantage to ensure your workforce is working to the best of its ability. Knowing how to lead your team is crucial, so you may want to consider learning more about the key differences between leadership and management as well as taking courses that will teach you the right skills.
Providing the right software and equipment for your team, reducing distractions in the workplace, setting realistic and attainable goals, and being on hand to offer support and guidance are just a few key ways to increase employee productivity in the workplace.
