10 Ways to Maximise Employee Productivity

Productivity is vital to a company’s bottom line. This is why businesses look for innovative ways to improve job performance and make their employees more productive.

Most employees sit at their desks for an average of 6-7 hours a day. Short of having someone look over their shoulder and ensure that they’re actually working, what can employers do to boost productivity in the workplace?

1) Develop strong leaders

It is critical that your supervisors and managers are competent leaders. They should keep their direct reports inspired, motivated and on track to meet their team goals. Good leaders cascade their “can-do” attitude to their teams. If you have weak leaders, you can expect that most of their direct reports will be low performing or demotivated.

2) Clarify the role of each employee

Have you ever felt like you don’t know exactly what you should be doing? Organizations should define clear goals and objectives to each department, team and individual. Everyone needs to know how their performance will be measured, and their specific contribution to success of the team as a whole. The tasks of each employee should be clear to them, to set the proper expectations.

3) Provide them with the tools they need

You might have the right people with the right skills, but if you don’t give them the right tools, you’ll be setting them up for failure. To get the most out of your staff, especially when there’s a shortage, they need to be setup for success. Arm them with what they need – a laptop, a mobile phone, additional training, access to data. Anything they need to their jobs better.

4) Define measurable goals and monitor progress

Give each team a specific goal that can be measured. Aside from defining goals, there should be consistent monitoring and feedback. Are they meeting their defined targets? Where are they on the scale? What is preventing them from reaching their goals? This practice makes employees more goal-oriented, and they’re more motivated to contribute when their inputs are valued.

5) Reward and recognize good performance

A company needs to have a structured reward program, such as performance-based incentives, and yearly salary increases. But, as most companies know, these does not always guarantee employee engagement. In fact, people expect them and don’t see them as rewards. Every employee is different, and the way they’re rewarded should be individualized. If you have an employee who’s studying for an exam, let them off early during their exam period. Or if you have a single parent with a sick child, give them a few days off. These don’t cost any money, but gets the most results in terms of loyalty. Employees feel grateful. Grateful employees would want to go the extra mile for the company they work for, if they feel that the company cares for them as a person.

6) Encourage employee feedback

The open door policy is being adopted by many companies. Some are opening portals where employees can air grievances and send suggestions. There are many issues and concerns that may be inhibiting productivity that upper management are blind to. It is a good idea to open a line of communication to help management address these concerns, and increase employee morale. Disgruntled employees are unproductive employees. They’re the ones who feel that no one is listening to their concerns. Knowing that they have a way to reach management lowers the level of frustration in the workplace.

7) Setting the proper example

You can’t push an employee to be more productive, when they see their supervisors and managers doing otherwise. Sometimes, leaders need to start the ball rolling, and keep them rolling.

8) Humanize the company Mission, Vision and Values

The company’s Mission, Vision and Values should be more than just a poster on the wall. Management should strive to make their employees understand the bigger goals of the company, and the part they play. Not only will that make the employees feel important, they will see how their roles can contribute to the company’s success. It’s an opportunity to inspire and motivate. These can be discussed during staff meetings.

9) Flexible working options

With the available technology nowadays, people can work anywhere they choose. That’s why some companies are relaxing their work schedules, giving their employees more space and freedom to accomplish their tasks. Of course, this is dependent on the nature of the job. For those who have no option to work from home, or lessen office time, there should be a place in the office where they can unwind and recharge. Google has taken this concept to unconventional levels. They believe that happy and relaxed employees are more productive and creative.

10) Small things matter

Companies spend a lot of money improving employee performance and productivity through different incentive programs. But sometimes, all it takes is a kind word, a pat on the back, 5 minutes of a CEO’s time, a praise received in front of colleagues – sometimes, it’s the small things that matter to a person. These small gestures that make them feel valued are what employees hold on to when their salary is not enough to pay the bills, or their work schedule is keeping them away from their loved ones.

Employees who love their job, are motivated, engaged and productive workers.