As a result of the numerous distractions, which include social media, mobile phones, and the ordinary activities of daily life, the modern office is quickly becoming an increasingly difficult place to maintain productivity. This is harmful to employers and employees alike and ultimately can result in a company dragging it’s feet and losing money.
The techniques which I am discussing in this article have been tried and tested, and they have been shown to increase productivity in the office in the majority of cases.
Focus on Time Tracking!
If your company provides services to customers, it is likely that you already use time tracking software in order to ensure that goals are accomplished and deadlines are met. Not only does this allow you to stay up to date on which projects are progressing as planned, but it can also assist people in concentrating on the task at hand. Focus is incredibly important, as if an employee is focusing on meeting a deadline, they are not focusing on their phone’s inbox or personal emails.
Time tracking software, such as Harvest, Wrike, or Hubstaff, allows managers to keep track of employee productivity and efficiency.
The use of collaboration apps for team members who are on the same floor or in the same room as you, whether they are in the same office or with a client, or on the other side of the world, is also beneficial. From Microsoft Teams to Whatsapp there are loads of different pieces of software for teams to quickly communicate in a professional way with each other.
Set Small Goals as well as Large Objectives
It is common for most businesses to work on large projects for a number of different clients, making it difficult to meet objectives on time. With constant distractions from social media and other digital noise it can sometimes be hard to hold onto the big picture.
Taking a larger objective or mission and breaking down into smaller and more manageable objectives, employees may find it easier to visualise their role within the organisation. Psychologically, it can also be beneficial as having many achievements ultimately leading to a payoff will make people more focused and feel better during the process of accomplishing a set objective. Each achievement will be one step on the ladder and help things feel more achievable.
In order to break down individual elements of tasks and work with people to see where the team is at as a whole, project management tools such as Basecamp, Trello, Monday, and Asana are extremely useful to have on hand. Personally I love Trello as I find it extremely easy to use.
Efforts should be made to reduce stress in the work environment. Workplace stress is no laughing matter, and it can have a significant impact on not only the productivity of your employees, but also their health. Having smaller goals will make things seem less daunting and help reduce workplace stresses.
Encourage your employees to eat more healthfully and to participate in exercise sessions. Some places of employment provide free fruit and treats to their employees, while others treat them to a monthly meal at a local restaurant.
Not only does eating healthy food increase employee productivity, but it also promotes employee well-being and helps to foster a positive attitude towards work and teamwork alike.
Avoid Micromanaging Where Possible!
While some people may consider time tracking to be micromanagement, when done correctly, it should have a positive impact on your workforce and the overall productivity of the organisation.
Micromanagement can be very tempting for new or inexperienced managers and bosses, but in jobs where demands are high and control is limited, it can have a negative impact on employees’ morale and productivity ultimately leading to a plethora of issues including staff leaving, teamwork disintegrating and stagnation in the workplace.
There are several approaches to avoiding micromanagement that can be used to increase productivity, including the ones listed below.
- Setting goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) together.
- Promoting an open and transparent relationship is important.
- Recognizing and rewarding employees for their personal and professional achievements.
- Provide constructive feedback on results, both positive and negative, as well as on the process.
- While everyone in the workplace has vices – whether it is zoning out on social media, chatting, or chatting without thinking – by being positive, focusing on what you can control, and encouraging positivity, you can weed out bad habits – whether they are personal or shared by your employees.
