Top 7 ways to improve Workplace Productivity
As Australians, we work very hard however productivity, innovation and efficiency are always key in the workplace. So how can we be more productive? There are many ways we can do this and there is not a one size fits all but here are a few tips to increase workplace productivity.
1. Job descriptions should be closely tied to outcomes/KPIs
Job descriptions should be realistic, relevant and provide a clear and achievable Key Performance Indicator because you can’t manage what you can’t measure. Take the time to meet with your employees regularly to touch base or even just have a chat.
2. Get Rid of Motivation Killers
A good manager will find ways to engage with their team and carefully observe the work environment to identify areas which could be improved or if there are any issues that need to be resolved. One of these issues is Motivation Killers. Typical Motivation Killers include toxic people, abrasive personalities, lack of organisational vision, poor communication systems and autocratic management styles.
3. Loosen Up a Little & trust your employees
Most workers will feel more comfortable if management trusts them, their input and working styles. However it is not just the management style that can imply a relaxed management style. If you organisation can justify it, maybe have a casual dress day or start a sporting team.
4. Encourage Workers to Relax
Helping workers to relax will help their physical agility, clear their mind and improve their productivity which in turn can also lead them to be happier in their work. You can encourage regular stretching, light exercise and even simple yoga moves as part of the regular work day.
5. Automated Time and Attendance Software
Once of the easiest ways to anger employees is to mess with their money and work schedules. The unfortunate factor here is that, like the rest of us, managers and supervisors are only human and errors can occur, paperwork can get lost, time off requests lost and other scheduling problems can quickly turn employee morale.
Introducing an automated Time and Attendance system can generate fair, honest work schedules, creates standardisation and removes human fault from the process.
6. Regular work in progress (WIP) meetings to keep you on track
Even if you are a small business, your teams are generally busy managing large workloads. If someone is away it is important that someone else knows what is going on. Regular WIP meetings is a great way to see what is going on in the team, who’s doing what, who’s away , who’s overloaded and who has free time.
7. Keep up to date with technology
Whether we like it or not, the world is changing and technology is leading the charge. What software solutions can you implement to improve your processes? Some software suggestions to improve productivity are:
- Cloud based payroll (MYOB Account Right Live or Xero)
- Time and Attendance (Tanda)
- Project management software (Minute Dock)
- CRMs (Salesforce)
- HRIS (HR Central)