How to increase productivity in the workplace
How to increase productivity in the workplace is an age-old question which has been pondered throughout industries all over the world. No matter how good your company is, if you don’t have a good workforce behind it, the business can never excel. It’s important to ensure each member of your team is happy and has good morale. All of your employees play a key part in keeping things turning, like cogs in a machine. Productive employees mean business operations running smoothly and projects are completed more efficiently. This will ultimately help the business succeed. As a manager or business owner, it can feel overwhelming to ensure every member of your team is motivated, but in reality, if you follow some key principles, the rest is easy. In today’s blog, we will be sharing some tips and tricks on how to increase productivity in the workplace, and keep it high.
How can communication improve productivity?
It may seem obvious, but communication plays a crucial part in increasing productivity in the workplace. It is weaved through every aspect of business operations. To start with, communication should be encouraged in a casual sense. With more people than ever remote working, one of the biggest things which is missed is “water-cooler” chat. Despite the majority of the population now using reusable water bottles, the concept remains. In order to be productive, your team need to be comfortable within the office and with the people they’re working with.
Managers and business owners should take the time to get to know their employees, their interests and what makes them tick. Not only will this promote good relationships throughout the office, but will also give further insight into someone’s incentives and which approach is best when motivating them. Encourage your employees to communicate with each other. Team building events and activities are a valuable way of connecting your team. This will help employees feel more connected, making them comfortable in the office and helping project collaborations run more smoothly.
How to manage communication
Speak to your team and find out what you can do to improve the way they work. Get them thinking and brainstorming their own thoughts on how to increase productivity in the workplace. Listen to suggestions and demonstrate you’re being proactive with making positive changes around the office. Empty promises are really demotivating and can cause your team to feel lethargic. One of the best ways to motivate people is by giving them more responsibility. As a manager or business owner, it can be difficult to step away and let your team take control. Not only will this give you more time, but it motivates employees and gives them a goal and a sense of achievement.
Speak to the team about any training or further qualifications they’d be interested in. Progression boosts morale and productivity. No one wants to feel as though they are static in their career path. Ensure every member of the team is making progress and has personal goals for their own development. This gives everyone something to work for, boosting motivation throughout the workforce. Consider setting up 3-month performance reviews to chat about progress and set the next set of goals. Incentives are effective ways of motivating employees and demonstrate your dedication to keeping the workforce happy.
How to improve productivity in the workplace
Environment plays a huge part in how an individual reacts and can function within any space. The base of any productive team is an ergonomic environment where they can focus. Discomfort is one of the key factors in distraction and therefore reduced productivity. If you work in an office, invest in some chairs with the proper lumbar support. Your team will be sitting on these for 8 hours a day, so ensure they stay comfortable. Natural light is vital, particularly in an office space. It has been reported to reduce some of the negative symptoms of using a screen, such as fatigue and eye strain. Flood the office with natural light and keep it well ventilated.
Check-in regularly to see if there’s anything your employees require. Perhaps they need wrist support or a footstool which would help them be more comfortable at their desk. Many companies are now investing in electric desks to allow the individual to work sitting and standing. If you don’t work in an office, it’s still key to keep the team comfortable. Regular reviews of the environment and workspace can ensure nothing gets missed and any issues are efficiently resolved. If you work in a hands-on environment such as a kitchen, it could be that some individuals are rushed off their feet all day and don’t have enough time to recharge. There may be a need to slightly reevaluate kitchen operations to allow the team equal time working and taking their breaks to improve employee productivity.
How to enhance productivity in the workplace
They say a poor workman blames his tools, but not having the right equipment for the task at hand can seriously reduce efficiency. Using a slow machine with bad internet can be incredibly frustrating. Time spent waiting for something to load can cause employees to check social media and be led down a spiral of distractions. Not only will it take longer to complete the job, but the time waiting or trying to troubleshoot can leave an employee feeling demotivated. Investment in quality equipment is an investment in your team. It allows them to complete their tasks to the best of their ability and save time on outdated tools.
Is your team using a time management software? Predominantly used for billing clients, a tracking software such as Toggl allows your team to monitor how long it takes them to complete tasks in real time. This is a valuable way to visualise time and ensures the team are managing their workload effectively. It motivates employees by keeping them on schedule with tasks and to see projects as a bigger picture. A task management software such as Asana is another great way to visualise projects and to set tasks for each day. It allows the individual to review their day/week, analyse their tasks and manage their time. You can also set tasks and leave comments for other members of the team, allowing for quick and easy communication to help employees to work in harmony.
How to increase productivity in the workplace conclusion
- Keep a strong level of communication with your team
- Use team-building activities to strengthen the bond between your workforce
- Listen to suggestions and demonstrate these are being implemented
- Give your team more responsibility
- Set up 3-month performance reviews
- Make sure the working environment is comfortable
- Update tired equipment and ensure all tools are functioning correctly
- Use a time tracking/task management software to help your team visualise their schedule
Let us know if you’ve tried our techniques on how to increase employee productivity and how they have operated in your workplace. We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s blog and have taken away something valuable. The team at Eastwood Hall are delighted to announce we now have served offices in Nottingham. These are ideal for anyone looking for a semi-permanent solution, as we offer these spaces by the month, week or even hour. Our ad-hoc basis means these are flexible and available whenever is convenient for you. Eastwood Hall is offering 36 different office spaces to suit a variety of needs and budgets. If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team and we can advise.
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