Productivity rates have such an influence over your company’s success. After all, whether you’re just getting started, or have been in operation for many years, working productively means that you can continue to put your time and efforts to the very best use. Despite this, a recent study found that “48% of employees self-report being productive less than 75% of the time,” which is a troubling figure for business owners, as this lack of productivity often results in poor efficiency, customer complaints and other challenges. Fortunately, there are plenty of steps that you can take to make sure your office staff are working productively. Read on to find out more!
Invest in the right tools and equipment
Investing in the right tools, equipment and office supplies helps your team stay productive and avoid unnecessary headaches. So if your office kit is looking a bit tired, now’s a good time to give things an upgrade. Think about the basics- maybe the printer’s on its last legs, or someone’s been borrowing the only staple gun in the building for weeks. Whatever’s missing, make sure every desk has what it needs to keep things running smoothly.
Work to improve employee satisfaction rates
Various studies have found that improving employee satisfaction rates can have a similarly positive effect on productivity. This is because they’ll turn up at work feeling much more motivated and focused, which means that they can continue to work to the best of their ability moving forward. It also means that your employees are less likely to stick around long-term, which can have a negative impact on workplace productivity as a whole as there’s always someone missing from your team.
Let them personalise their workspace
Giving people a bit of control over their own space can go a long way. It’s not just about adding a plant or a photo (though those help), it’s about allowing them to set up their desk in a way that actually works for how they think and operate. Some might need a second monitor to juggle tasks more efficiently, others might focus better with noise-cancelling headphones or a small desk divider to cut out distractions. Even small tweaks like adjustable chairs or keyboard stands can make a big difference to comfort and concentration. The key is asking people what they need rather than assuming one setup works for everyone. When someone feels like their workspace supports them instead of getting in the way, they’re far more likely to stay on task and in the zone.
Set short-term goals
While your team may be happy to work toward long-term goals, short-term goals are often better when it comes to boosting productivity rates. This is because they feel much more attainable, which can heighten focus and drive among your employees. Work to encourage them to break down long-term goals into something a little smaller and more manageable.
Encourage them to write to do lists
While you should avoid micromanaging, you can help your team to amp up their productivity rates by encouraging them to write daily or weekly to-do lists. This makes it easier for them to visualize or understand how much work they have on their plate, so that they can manage their time accordingly, moving forward. It also means that they can make sure they do not miss any important deadlines, as they can start their day by focusing on these tasks.
Outsource when necessary
Outsourcing can also help your team to work as productively as possible, as it means that you are lowering their workload quite considerably. Ideally, you should focus on outsourcing tasks or duties that are not covered in your team’s job description, as these are the tasks that would otherwise take up a lot of their time and energy.
