As a manager, you understand the importance of increasing productivity in the workplace but you also know that it’s not always the easiest thing to do. Employees might get caught in a rut and the mundane routine can cause productivity to suffer. At times, even the most dedicated worker can become unproductive. This is why every manager needs to take time to employ a few strategies that can boost morale and productivity. The following strategies can help your employees perform more efficiently and effectively to achieve the goals and tasks set before them.
1) Provide the Right Tools
The first thing you must do if you want your employees to be productive is to arm them with the right tools. This can make a huge difference in how they work and their ability to get things done faster. There is nothing more counterproductive than wasting time waiting for paper to print on a slow printing device or forcing employees to get up and walk over to your desk every time they need to communicate because you lack an internal communication system. There are several types of software available that can improve communication and also encourage collaboration such as Slack, Twist, Hubstaff Tasks, and Google Drive.
2) Invest in Training and Development
As an employer, it’s to your benefit to invest in training and development opportunities to ensure that your employees continue to grow and evolve. Continued education and special training programs can equip your employees with the skills needed to perform their job better.
3) Reduce Distractions
Things like cell phone use, social media, and excess conversations can be a huge productivity killer. However, this doesn’t mean you have to implement a no cell phone use and no talking policy. Instead, encourage employees to put their phones away and keep conversations to a minimum but allow breaks for cell phone use and conversing.
4) Practice Positive Reinforcement
Encouragement, motivation, and rewards can go a long way in boosting employee productivity. Acknowledge employees when they have done a good job and motivate them with constructive criticism. Most importantly, offer personal incentives for great work such as an afternoon off, free lunch, or monetary rewards.
5) Stop Micromanaging
There is nothing more frustrating to employees than a boss who micromanages. Not only does this demonstrate that you are controlling, but it also indicates that you don’t trust them to do their job on their own. How can you expect employees to be productive when they don’t feel like you believe in them? When you allocate a task or job, let your employees handle it on their own and make yourself available in case they have questions.
6) Communicate Clearly
Communication is the key to success. Without effective communication, businesses and relationships will fail. Managers are responsible for effectively communicating clear expectations and responsibilities to their employees. Furthermore, managers need to make themselves available and encourage employees to bring forth questions and concerns.
7) Encourage Self-Care
The number one cause for lowered productivity is employee stress. Excessively stressed employees are physically, mentally, and emotionally unhealthier which means they are also less productive. This means managers need to emphasize the importance of combating stress and encourage employees to care for their mental, physical, and emotional health. Simple things like providing healthy snacks, allowing employees to get up and walk around, and even offering perks like gym memberships can help to promote and improve employee well-being.
8) Allow Flexible Work
Research has shown that employees who work remotely are more productive. While this trend has become more popular in recent years, it’s still not accepted by every employer. However, implementing a flexible work schedule might be the ticket to boosting productivity in the workplace. Employees can get far more done if they work from home as opposed to spending close to an hour in their morning commute. Instead of arriving at work late and frustrated, they can be accomplishing tasks right from their own home. This independence can be just the right thing to motivate your employees.
9) Increase Satisfaction with Great Perks
Job satisfaction is so important and employees that are happy in their job are certainly more productive. One way to improve job satisfaction is by offering perks such as stipends for gym memberships, extra time off to enjoy the outdoors, free movie passes, nap rooms, or complimentary lunch once a week. The possibilities are endless but many employees would prefer these perks over a pay raise.
10) Create a Comfortable Work Space
Most employees spend a huge chunk of their week in their office so it goes without saying that employees want to work in a comfortable and inviting space. Factors such as lighting, temperature, and noise conditions can have a significant impact on productivity. Therefore, make arrangements to ensure that your office is suitable for optimal productivity.