Small Businesses: How To Increase Employees' Productivity

Published: 2021-06-04
Views: 472
Author: Lilytoo
Published in: Management

You must motivate employees to want to work harder and perform better if you want to increase employee productivity.

Have you ever wished you could get your small-scale business staff to perform more efficiently?

The following suggestions below will assist you in creating a work environment that encourages your employees to perform at their best.

#1 Suggestion: Meetings should only be held when absolutely necessary

In many cases, meetings are nothing more than a waste of time. Anyone who regularly attends work meetings can attest to this. If you need to communicate with your team, send an email or speak with each person individually. Meetings should only be held in truly critical, game-changing situations, or when employees need to come together to gather ideas on new approaches or solutions to a business objective.

#2 Suggestion: Allow employees to work at their own pace

Allowing employees to set their own schedules leads to increased productivity and job satisfaction.

Unless there is a compelling reason for them to be present at specific times of the day, let employees work when they are most likely to be productive. Some people are morning people, while others thrive later in the day, as we all know.

#3 Suggestion: Take your employees out once in a while

When employees feel compelled to keep their noses to the grindstone at all times, they are less likely to make productive use of their time. Allowing them to take short breaks can actually increase their productivity, and it's even better if the boss encourages them.

Consider hosting a catered buffet or barbeque on-site once or twice a year when you have a huge number of employees and encouraging employees to stay and mingle with coworkers and managers.

These gatherings allow employees to get to know one another, allowing them to collaborate more effectively and feeling like a cohesive unit.

#4 Suggestion: Be open about your company's objectives

Workers are more likely to give it their all if they feel like they are part of the inner circle.

Transparency about the company's long-term goals and plans allows employees to feel more invested in the outcome.

When employees are expected to follow orders without question, they are far less likely to care, which means they are far less likely to work hard.

Your employees will feel more important and meaningful if you explain the purpose of the directions or requests you give them.

#5 Suggestion: Participate actively in day-to-day activities

When it's appropriate, assist workers in completing their tasks. If you have a period of high demand, for example, roll up your sleeves and assist with shipping.

Allow the employee who is usually in charge to take command and tell you what to do to help process the orders. This allows you to be a role model while also emphasizing the importance of hard work.

However, avoid interfering or nitpicking how others do things, as this can make employees resentful and less productive.

If you find business processes that could be improved, ask the employee who does the work on a regular basis if they wish there was a better way to do it, and if they do, if they have any suggestions.

#6 Suggestion: Recognize what motivates employees

As much as possible, get to know your coworkers. This will help you understand why they chose to work in the first place.

One employee, for example, maybe putting money aside for college while another is supporting children on a single income.

Knowing these minor details allows you to provide employees with the resources and support they require to succeed.

#7 Suggestion: When possible, allow employees to work from home

Allowing employees to work from home can bring out the best in them. Employers have traditionally been hesitant to allow employees to telecommute because there was no easy way to track their activities from afar.

That has changed as a result of modern technology. Keeping in touch with employees wherever they are is a breeze thanks to mobile devices, the Internet, and other technologies. Consider at the very least giving it a try.

#8 Suggestion: Utilize technology to its full potential

There's a good chance that some of the busywork that your employees are currently doing could be done more quickly, efficiently, and accurately by computer software.

Programs like Trello and Asana, for example, can make it easier for your team to collaborate on projects. You and your employees can use voice-to-text programs to dictate memos, reports, and emails instead of typing them.

Hootsuite and Buffer, for example, make it easier to organize and manage social media participation.

Depending on the nature of your business, its size, and your budget, there are dozens of programs and apps that can help your employees work more efficiently.

#9 Suggestion: Make small incentives available

Small incentives can be a powerful tool for getting more from your employees. Offering a $20 or $50 gift card to the person who gets the most work done, for example, if you're on a tight deadline, is likely to boost everyone's productivity.

While it is important for employees to feel fairly compensated, it is not always possible to give large raises or bonuses to your top performers.

Making employees want to work harder is the key to increasing employee productivity.