Productivity is the blend of quick planning and focused efforts. Being productive is very challenging because every time the workday ends, the probability is high that you’re not happy with what you have achieved. While productivity can be constantly improved, here are a few pointers that work well towards increasing productivity regardless of the shape or size of an organization.
1. Move from Analog to Digital Processes
If you want to make your organization successful, then you need to convert analog business processes to digital. Though paper and printer manufacturers may have us believe otherwise, computers aren’t only a modern way to crank out paper documents at ever-better volumes and speeds. Shifting a rising number of business processes into the paperless, digital domain is one of the keys to creating a productive use of IT. This frees the organization from the physical restriction of paper and supports the remaining important practices of a digital organization.
A general approach to digital processes incorporates a set of core corporate IT practices along with a mechanism for satisfying the specialized IT requirements of every business unit. The key standards and core network are the infrastructures that manage the enterprise. Every business unit and acquired company employs the same ERP system and database software, for instance. Standardized laptops, desktop computers, networking and key applications assure the interoperability across the organization. If you aren’t aware of ERP, you could check SAP, Skyward ERP and Epicore.
Innovation is the engine that drives success and competition. Productivity is what allows for a constant level of competitive edge. A consistent drive towards innovation in services, solutions and business processes improves the overall efficiency. An ERP system can help businesses to organize all of the company’s tasks and information under a single system to provide quick access to all employees. It significantly boosts the business’s productivity and takes the business to the next level.
With digitization, it is also easier to maintain a record of all key performance indicators (KPIs). Instead of waiting days or weeks after the end of every quarter to total revenue and costs, the organization can look at updated figures more frequently using innovative tools and software. As a result, organizations can sense and respond to changes quickly in the marketplace.
2. Communication is Key
People prefer clarity to uncertainty, which makes clear communication vital in the workplace. Successful communication cuts down errors and builds trust and confidence. On the other hand, unsuccessful communication builds an atmosphere of irritation that can make staff feel ignored, unheard or under-valued. Build a feedback system with your employees so that everyone is aware of where they stand and what is expected.
Without a doubt, communication is a key aspect of the business process. Without a proper communication system in place, it’ll be challenging to achieve goals and the proper functioning of the business. You could acquire some tools like Slack, Skype, Tagove or HipChat to improve real-time communication within your employee and customers. Communication is not limited to devices like phones, tablets or written/verbal exchanges of information. Rather, it’s about designing and employing the communication systems that are suitable and meet the needs of a company or business. Efficient and effective communication means that employees are aware of the expertise and hierarchy within a company. It’s important that they know who to contact regarding their concerns.
3. Say “No” to Multi-tasking
Although multi-tasking is trending, trying to complete more than one task at a time can be more harmful to some people than helpful. Several studies have shown that people trying to do two or more tasks at once actually end up becoming unfocused resulting in the quality of their work being affected. So, it’s better to focus on one task at a time, finish it properly with all of your focus and then move on to the next project.
Image Source: Switch And Shift
According to one study, multi-tasking damages your career and your brain. Multi-tasking cuts down your performance and efficiency because your brain can focus on only one thing at a time. When trying to do two things at the same time, your brain lacks the ability to perform each of those tasks successfully.
4. Encourage, Reward and Recognize
The employer should be responsible for always supporting his employees. Encouragement helps them perform better and move forward. It even makes the employee feel happy by getting praised for their hard work. New ways of motivating encourage them even more.
Praising the employee’s hard work makes them want to carry on the next assignment in the same manner and if the employee feels that his hard work is not valued, he may slowly stop doing so because he may feel that if others contributing less are given the same then he shouldn’t work more for nothing. Rewarding and other perks keep employees happy because it makes them feel that their efforts are being acknowledged and highly-praised and that they are a crucial part of the company. Without this, they may eventually start searching for another job.
The Bottom Line
Productivity is a complex puzzle of several factors but it’s a puzzle that should be resolved if organizations want to stay ahead of their competition in the market. It’s important to explore broad changes to culture and processes in order to boost the overall productivity of the workforce. These changes do not need to be expensive and they do not have to be employed all at once. Each organization is different so it’s very important to create a culture of productivity that’s particular to your business objectives and employee mix. Analyze the employee productivity, offer essential training, communicate business goals effectively, promote innovation and reward workers according to what is significant and important to them. Success doesn’t occur accidentally, but an organization focused on objectives and productivity is certain to meet or exceed its goals.