Have you ever given a thought to how you can improve your productivity and that of your employees? Do you want to improve your work place productivity but you don’t know how to go about it? If your answer to the two questions above is yes, then read on because this article is for you.
“Nowadays, business is all about productivity – and our folks produce.” – John Hoeven
The place of work; be it an office or a factory, a business or any other organization, is not just a setup where people get paid for their presence and attendance of a few hours. The salary is in return for work done and the amount of work completed reflects the worker’s productivity; which in turn is determined by a series of factors besides qualifications and experience.
The level of the employee’s productivity in any organization is largely responsible for the profit making ability of the organization and its survival in the long run. That’s why:
“Executives owe it to the organization and to their fellow workers not to tolerate non performing individuals in important jobs.” – Peter F. Drucker
However, employee productivity or performance is dependent on a series of factors many of which are determined by the employer and the environment provided for the work force.
“The people who are doing the work are the moving force behind the Macintosh. My job is to create a space for them, to clear out the rest of the organization and keep it at bay.” – Steve Jobs
It’s up to the entrepreneur or manager to find the most effective ways of deriving the best out of the work force. The manager may feel his/her job is only to recruit the best and most qualified people for the task at hand but the truth is that these employees could be turned into a big asset that will transform the business completely; that is if they are made to work happily and show their true potential.
“People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn’t make any difference whether the company’s product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps.” – Mary Kay Ash
“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer
So in this article, I will be sharing with you some of the best ways of increasing and improving the existing productivity level of your employees. Without wasting your time, below are 12 Simple Ways to Improve Employees Productivity in the Work Place.
12 Simple Ways to Improve Employees Productivity in the Workplace
1. Make all employees accountable for their goals and their assignments
Don’t give generic orders; be specific. Delegate duties to individuals and make sure the individual understands the responsibility involved with the task; make sure he/she understands that the accountability of that task rests solely on his/her shoulders.
“Before you assign a task, know the facts of the situation and the facts about the staffers who will do the work. Make recommendations and give directions in specific terms with recognizable objectives. Give as few orders as possible.” – The Mafia Manager
2. Ensure that you follow up with them about progress at various stages
Don’t delegate duties and go to sleep; follow up on task delegated to ensure effective output. If you can’t follow up; then delegate the role or hire a supervisor to take your place.
“Stressing output is the key to improving productivity, while looking to increase activity can result in just the opposite.” – Paul Gauguin
“Effective leadership is not about making great speeches or being liked, leadership is defined by results, not by attributes.” – Peter F. Drucker
3. Avoid micro managing while managing people; remember they are humans, not machines
You must provide the best working environment for your employees if you are serious about improving productivity.
“Inventories can be managed but people must be led.” – Henry Ross Perot
“Don’t encourage overtime. Tell your people that the best way to impress you is to do a great job in the time allotted for it and then go home and relax.” – The Mafia Manager
4. Encourage, reward, motivate and recognize all jobs well done
Nothing inspires an employee more than a big thank you hug from the boss; it makes an employee feel important and that employee will strive to repeat the feat that earned him/her the hug.
“Punishing honest mistakes stifles creativity. I want people moving and shaking the earth and they are going to make mistakes.” – Henry Ross Perot
“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” – Sam Walton
“Reward worthy failure – Experimentation.” – Bill Gates
“Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone; don’t keep it secret.” – Mary Kay Ash
5. Reach out to all the employees working for you
Let them know their welfare is your concern; show them love and care, treat them like human beings.
“Kindness is more powerful than compulsion.” – Charles Schwab
“The simple act of paying positive attention to people has a great deal to do with productivity.” – Thomas J. Peters
6. Set realistic and achievable targets for the workers
Setting goals or targets for your employees improves their productivity, effectiveness and efficiency but make sure the goals are attainable.
“Remember, not even a machine is 100 percent efficient. Don’t expect the humans who work for you to be.” – The Mafia Manager
7. Encourage team work for better results
Don’t allow your employees to work in isolation all the time. You must teach your employees the importance of inspiring each other even in your absence.
“Teams should be able to act with the same unity of purpose and focus as a well motivated individual.” – Bill Gates
“The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison.” – James Cash Penny
“The productivity of a work group seems to depend on how the group members set their own goals in relation to the goals of the organization.” – Ken Blanchard
8. Make sure that people enjoy their work and are happy to come to work everyday
In fact, make your working environment a happy environment. Encourage enthusiasm among your workers. This is the secret to the success of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group.
“To be happy, make other people happy.” – W. Clement Stone
“If you are interested in balancing work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable.” – Donald Trump
9. Do not let a task become monotonous and boring
Break work place monotony by strategically rotating people in different jobs, but according to their capability and expertise.
“My definition of an executive’s job is brief and straight to the point. It’s simply this: Getting things done through other people.” – James Cash Penny
10. Sponsor your employees for courses; send them to programs that will help them improve their skills
Examples are trainings meant to improve employee’s skills in sales, customer service, communication, public relations, productivity, etc.
“Do not primarily train men to work. Train them to serve willingly and intelligently.” – James Cash Penny
11. Do not waste too much time behind closed doors, spending hours in meetings when that time can be spent on delivering results
Schedule your time and stick to it. Effective time management is vital to increasing productivity.
“It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.” – Henry Ford
12. Make sure that you provide your employees with time saving and efficiency enhancing devices like:
- Laptops and tablet computers
- Smart phones and PDAs
- Access to latest applications and software
- Bluetooth to stay connected
- Digital recorders to record new ideas instantly
- GPS to track places to visit
“The 1980s will seem like a walk in the park when compared to new global challenges, where annual productivity increases of 6% may not be enough. A combination of software, brains, and running harder will be needed to bring that percentage up to 8% or 9%.” – Jack Welch
All these devices help your employees save time and improve productivity; thereby enhancing the level of customer satisfaction. In essence, use technology to your advantage; use technology to make your employees faster and more accurate.
“Productivity and growth of productivity must be the first economic consideration at all times, not the last. That is the source of technological innovation, jobs and wealth.” – William E. Simon
As a final note, productivity of the work force can be increased by implementing the above mentioned tips; it can be improved by making the employees feel responsible and getting them to work happily rather than mournfully. Always remember that an increase in productivity will yield a corresponding increase in output and profits in general.