A productive and motivated team is key to business success.
Think of it as breathing. When targets are reached and goals are accomplished, you probably don’t give much thought to how productive your employees are. But, when a lack of productivity means that results decline and a shadow of failure looms ever-closer, operations can grind to a prompt and costly halt.
Whether that’s something you’re currently striving to avoid or you simply see room for improvement, helping your team find ways to achieve more with less is always a worthwhile endeavor.
With the average American spending almost nine hours per day at work, it’s up to you to ensure that every precious hour your employees dedicate to their careers is an hour well-spent. Here’s how you can foster a more productive team.
Leverage Technology
According to a recent Oracle report, more than half of employees believe that they aren’t equipped with the technology needed to effectively perform their duties. In the past, this problem wasn’t easy for small businesses to solve.
But with today’s technology, particularly in the realm of mobile devices and cloud computing, every business can afford to equip their employees with the right tools for the job. Increases in productivity and work satisfaction will follow.
Set Incentivized Goals
Employees who have something tangible to aim for are more motivated and confident in their ability to succeed. You can push your team even further by providing incentives for reaching appropriate goals. One Glassdoor study found that 79 percent of employees would prefer additional benefits to a pay raise.
Some good incentives would include gym memberships, car allowances, insurance, medical aid, and savings accounts. Be sure to regularly check in on how your employees are progressing towards their goals, and reward those who make an effort to go above and beyond.
Improve Relationships Between Employees
The better your employees understand each other, the more effectively they can communicate and work towards a common goal. Host an occasional social event to help your team bond and get to know their fellow coworkers.
Choose an activity that everyone will enjoy and feel comfortable participating in. It can be as simple as dinner at a local restaurant. If you’re sticking to a budget, consider picking up some theater tickets for an upcoming show.
Offer Remote Work Opportunities
Research has shown that remote workers are more productive, work longer, take fewer days off, and are generally more engaged in what they’re doing. Consider giving your employees the opportunity to work remotely where possible. Not only are they likely to produce better results, but your business will also benefit from significant cost savings.
Encourage Self-Care
Stressed, anxious, depressed, or otherwise unhealthy employees are, unsurprisingly, less productive. Encourage your team members to take care of their physical and mental health. Pay attention to their behavior, listen to their thoughts and opinions, offer constructive feedback, and provide challenging, meaningful work.
Productive teams work in positive environments where they’re equipped with the right tools. They have incentives that are pushing them to work harder towards their goals. They can work effectively with other team members, and they know that their wellbeing is taken care of.
