Employee productivity is stagnating, or your employees are leaving, and you don't know what to do? We bring you tips on how to dedicate enough time and resources to the foundations of your business, your employees.
You're the owner of a company, a director, a business manager, or a human resources manager. Your company has been flourishing in recent years; everything seemed to be falling into place, and your employees were giving their best. Employee productivity appeared to be at an admirable level, and a bright future was on the horizon. And suddenly, employees start resigning and leaving your company. If you're not sure what exactly happened because you believe it was unprovoked, it means you've been hit by the so-called Big Quit.
In the last year or two, employees have initiated a true revolution in resignations. They simply gave up and began leaving their jobs, with general dissatisfaction being cited as one of the main reasons for this wave of job departures. The pandemic wasn't the cause here, perhaps just a trigger. The fact remains that the dissatisfaction must have been significant when people were resigning in the midst of a global crisis.
Individuals no longer wanted to live at work and for work, in an environment that didn't appreciate them. Many employees also complained about being expected to work on new projects without adequate training or tools to help them in their work and their own productivity.
Why is this happening? More and more employees feel they are being exploited, that there is no limit to the maximum they give, and that they are not actually provided with the proper opportunities and tools for work productivity. Everything that bothered them before reached its peak during the pandemic and simply reached a breaking point. We all need to be aware that an employee's productivity is actually as much as the employer enables.
There is always room for improvement when it comes to productivity. We all know how important productivity is in the workplace, but it's equally important to give in order to receive. Have you ever wondered how much you actually give to your employees? Do you care enough about their well-being in the workplace? Do you think about how much you encourage and support employees in improving their productivity?
You should think and plan on how to stand out your company, simplify business processes, increase work productivity, but also go a step further. Take care of employee satisfaction in the workplace.
One way to continuously improve productivity is to encourage employees to share their ideas on how to work smarter, not harder. You are surely aware that it is your duty to provide employees with all the conditions for work. And that includes the kind of working conditions and work environment where they will be productive and satisfied. Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to ensure this:
1. Invest in employee development
Offer your employees opportunities for training and development and ensure they have the right resources available to them. This means providing them access to the latest technologies and additional education to effectively use them. Assess how well your employees are trained and familiarize them with the latest tools that can facilitate their daily work. Enable them to use task management apps and/or cloud storage.
2. Encourage continuous employee education
Staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends is crucial for any business, and you probably already know that. Encourage your employees to learn new skills, participate in webinars, and various conferences, and attend online courses or read literature. Customize learning opportunities to your employees' abilities and interests. By investing in employees in this way, you show that you care about them and their professional development.
3. Provide regular feedback
Feedback is actually crucial for improving job performance among your employees. Make sure to regularly give both positive and constructive comments. How will your employees know if they are doing their jobs and fulfilling tasks efficiently if you don't directly communicate that to them? Encourage open communication and collaboration; let your employees feel comfortable and secure. They should know they can come to you with questions or ideas. On the other hand, as a supervisor, you need to be open to receiving feedback, even criticism. In plain terms, communicate with your team and ask your employees for their input.
4. Collaboration is key to development
It's essential to encourage your employees to work together, especially if it's a team that requires mutual cooperation. This can be easily achieved through regular team meetings or brainstorming workshops. It's also important to create a positive work environment. Employees who feel comfortable and supported in their workplace will be more productive, creative, and inclined toward new ideas and innovations.
5. Set realistic goals
Another useful practice is to give employees a clear idea of what they need to achieve precisely. They are more likely to be more focused and additionally motivated. If employees feel that too much is expected of them, or if your goals are unrealistic, it can lead to frustration and a feeling of overwhelm. It's essential to set achievable goals that will keep employees on the right track and explain them in detail, either verbally or in writing. If an employee doesn't have a clear picture of what they are doing and what their goal is, you cannot expect satisfactory results from them.
6. Encourage your employees to take breaks
It may seem counterintuitive, but encouraging a few minutes of personal time every few hours can make a big difference in overall employee productivity. Regular breaks during working hours can actually help improve concentration and focus and prevent feelings of being overwhelmed. Promote a healthy work-life balance by providing flexible working hours if necessary. However, make sure to allow your employees, and yourself, enough time for rest. If you constantly work, never leave the office, and skip breaks, your employees will likely do the same. Be an example of the kind of behavior you want to see from your team.
7. Offer incentives for increased productivity
Incentives for improved productivity, such as bonuses, paid time off, or other types of rewards, can be provided for successfully completed tasks. It's essential to recognize and reward employees, especially those who are an example of continuous productivity growth. This can motivate others and ensure the successful operation and growth of your company. When an individual feels valued, they often go above and beyond what is expected of them.
Technology has always been a significant driver of workplace productivity. As newer and more powerful tools and technologies continue to emerge, the potential for increasing productivity becomes immense. Especially in your digital marketing department, if you have one. That department should be best equipped to know what the new technologies are, what the latest trends are, and what the future holds.
However, encouraging employees to take advantage of these tools and technologies can be a challenge. Some may be resistant to change, while others may not be aware of the potential benefits. Some may fear new things and stepping out of their comfort zone or fear failure.
It's crucial to ensure understanding among employees so they realize that tools and technologies can facilitate their daily routines and help them perform their tasks. When they see the potential benefits, they are more likely to use them. Some may certainly resist, but after a small adjustment period, they will definitely be able to see all the advantages.
Here you are again, as the owner or supervisor, a very important factor in the whole process. Lead by example for your employees. Don't set illogical goals for them, especially if you are not capable of meeting them yourself. Nor should you provide them with tools if you are not willing to use them yourself.
Here are some tips to encourage employees to harness the benefits of tools and technologies for increased productivity:
Ensure employees are aware of the benefits of using tools and technologies. Explain how they can save time and improve their work.
It's essential to offer employees training on using tools and technologies; otherwise, they won't be able to use them effectively.
If tools and technologies are difficult to access, employees are less likely to use them. Ensure your employees have access to new technologies, which essentially means, purchase what they need.
Encourage employees to experiment with tools and technologies to find the best ways to use them. They may come up with ideas you never thought of.
Rewarding employees for using tools and technologies can be a significant motivation, and you can also highlight those who use them as examples for others.
You need to identify which of your employees may need assistance or additional options to enhance their daily task performance and increase efficiency. Additionally, you can encourage your employees to participate in team building activities, which will help them build better relationships and foster more effective teamwork.
You can also conduct individual training sessions for employees who require help with specific tasks or skills. By investing in employee training, you can help your team become more productive and efficient.
There are several key considerations when building productivity through employee training. Don't train employees sequentially or without any structure; instead, teach them collectively or individually what is relevant to their job roles.
You must also be aware that not everyone will understand to the same degree, so ensure interactive training. Pay special attention to allowing employees to ask questions if something is unclear and ensure they receive satisfactory answers.
Ultimately, to ensure your project's success and employee motivation, your employees should apply everything they've learned in practice.
Is there actually one universal way for every company to increase employee productivity? Is there a secret formula for success? Not really, but there are tips and tricks. These include setting priorities, respect, and appreciation, providing adequate tools, and recognizing employees' needs. Let's not forget the occasional rewards.
Before you start with training and acquiring tools and technologies for your business, conduct an assessment of the need for all these factors. Some employees may already use or know how to use certain tools, or they may be willing to use them, and you might not even be aware of it. It's essential to set clear productivity goals for employees, i.e., who needs what.
An individual plan tailored to the needs of each employee is essential, but if it's not feasible due to the size of the company, you know that training can be conducted in groups and in individual departments. It's crucial to ensure that all training has both theoretical and practical components.
Although there isn't a single, unique way to improve your productivity and educate your employees, there is something that is actually essential in the entire process. The most important thing is to be a true leader and set an example to create a motivating work environment for your employees.