No matter what type of business you’re currently running, keeping productivity levels at an all-time high should be your primary concern. Yet, merely taking the whip out won’t help you solve anything; you need to work smarter, not harder. Pushing an already burnt-out crew over their limits will only cause even more strife and dissent in their ranks, leaving you with a full-blown mutiny on your hands.
The solution?
Take a look at these 5 smart tips down below and find out!
1. Promote Teamwork
A team is as strong as its weakest link; there’s no denying that. Yet, what’s also true is that when team members work together in unison, they can complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses more effectively, improving productivity in the process. On the other hand, when there is animosity between them, the cracks in your team will slowly manifest in the form of miscommunication, disagreements, even feuds that will severely hamper your overall productivity. Hence, to create a strong sense of camaraderie and togetherness between your various team members, you can implement some team-building exercises. For instance, a team game such as soccer, paintball, etc., or you can simply all go out for a drink or two and have an awesome time together. That way you’ll successfully boost the collaboration of your co-workers and rid yourself of any bad blood between them.
2. Improve Your Work Environment
Your office’s work environment is one of the biggest contributors when it comes to increasing your business’s productivity levels. According to one study, the physical environment of your office space impacts both job satisfaction and performance. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many brands nowadays are investing heavily in their office interiors. Now, when it comes to designing your new office space, some of the main features to look out for include comfortable furniture, sufficient lighting, plants and decorations, desk placement, etc. By finding the right arrangement for your team, you increase the chance of them feeling more like at home during their working hours. As a result, they won’t get stressed as easily, allowing them to actually enjoy their work for a change and increase their performance.
3. Leverage the Use of Technology
In the past, you had to do most of the repetitive tasks manually, all by yourself. However, thanks to the advent of technology, this is no longer the case. Nowadays, you can automate most of these boring tasks and improve workflow with a simple press of a button. For instance, by adopting a NetSuite ERP cloud solution you can greatly reduce the costs of operating and the time it takes to install and maintain vital IT systems and software. That way you get more time to focus on expanding your business instead, accelerating your rate of growth in the process. In addition, you will require fewer personnel as certain processes such as invoicing, payroll management, cash collection, etc., will be fully automated, allowing you to maintain a much smaller team than you normally would.
4. Provide Incentives
Sometimes a simple pat on the back will do; at other times, you’ll need to provide them with more thoughtful incentives for a job well done. Either way, employees love a good gift. According to a recent survey, as much as 85% of employees stated that they felt more motivated and did their best when offered some form of incentive. In essence, every worker wants their efforts to be acknowledged and appreciated by their superiors; especially when some monetary gain is involved. Thus, you want to reward your top performers every now and then to keep them motivated and content; a happy employee is a loyal one. Some of these incentives include cash bonuses, paid vacations, company dinners, free vouchers, etc., each employee is different; find out what works best for your team.
5. Give Them a Break
You can’t expect your employees to perform when they are burnt out and exhausted; they are people and not machines after all. The solution: give them a well-deserved break. Provide them with a few days off or give them something else to do to break their routine and keep things fresh; there’s nothing worse than being caught up in the jaws of the daily grind. That way they won’t lose their initial enthusiasm and get sloppy with their work due to sheer boredom (and stress).
In addition, you can also provide them with some more breathing room; some employees simply detest being micro-managed. Boost their confidence in their own abilities by showing your trust and increase their level of autonomy. They will not only work better but feel less pressure.
Follow these tips to make the most of your team and boost their efficiency in the process.