For a small business owner, there’s nothing more important than the employees. Maintaining high productivity is a huge concern for every business owner. Unfortunately, keeping employees productive isn’t easy. There are a lot of problems that can cause productivity to stall. These include:
- Employees not following directions correctly
- Employees being overworked
- Employees lacking morale after being mistreated
- Employees are not given the tools they need to do their job properly
- Employees have a poor understanding of the task specifications or the broader company mission
Shutterstock Licensed Photo – By GaudiLab
Once you understand these issues, you can take the steps that you need to boost productivity. Keeping your employees happy will lead to an increase in productivity, with the ultimate benefit, business growth.
4 Stellar Ways to Increase Productivity
There are a number of small changes you can make that will drastically improve levels of productivity and efficiency. They will also allow you and your team to get more quality work done in a shorter period of time. The amount of time spent on unnecessary tasks will also be reduced. If you’re wondering what you can do to keep your employees happy, keep reading for some useful tips.
Improve Employee Skills with Training
Screening and then hiring employees is not the end of the line because providing training is a crucial part of ensuring productivity. A study undertaken in 2013, by the International Journal of Science and Research, found that training was very beneficial for both employers and employees. It also leads to improved efficiency and productivity. If you don’t think you’ve got the time, there are plenty of online tools to help. For example, a Learning Management System from engageinlearning.com.
Make Employees Accountable
Make your workers accountable for their actions and decisions, and they will be encouraged to be more cautious and careful with their work. The end result is that there will be fewer errors. Accountability also instills a sense of ownership.
As well as making them more accountable, you should allow them to make more of their own decisions, rather than constantly looking over their shoulders. Having faith in their abilities and proving opportunities for more worker autonomy will encourage and empower them to give their job their all. Manage them less, and you’ll get better results.
Also Read
Provide the Right Tools and Equipment
Make sure your employees have the right tools and equipment to perform their duties efficiently and on time. There has been such an improvement thanks to technology, that it wouldn’t be advised to get left behind. Such a lot of research has also been done with regards inefficient and unhealthy working practices. If your business employs a number of office staff who are sat at a desk all day, make sure their equipment is comfortable and ergonomic. Any investment you make will be returned because your staff will require fewer days off due to sickness.
Provide Support and Encourage the Setting of Realistic Goals
Do you know whether your employees are performing to the best of their abilities? Do you know whether they need incentives to help them stay on track? Introduce an annual review process when you can discuss their work and clarify expectations. Offer them goals to work towards, thereby improving their focus.
Part of the review process can be used as an opportunity to tell them when they are doing a good job. Encourage, motivate, and reward good working practices. Rewards don’t have to be free holidays or a company car. Something as simple as free takeout coffee for a month will be positive reinforcement.
If your workplace is stressful then your workforce will be less productive. For employees to be productive they need to be happy. If you want them to work to the best of their ability try some of the suggestions above and see what happens.
Take the Right Steps to Boost Productivity
There are a lot of things that you can do to boost productivity. These tips should help you get on the right track.
