An average American is dedicated to their career and find themselves at work for several hours a day. By spending so much time in the same environment with the same people and doing the same activities, it is inevitable to find that yourself losing motivation and productivity may suffer. Fortunately, there are several simple tactics that you can take to keep your business’ productivity high. From leadership approaches to practical tools, it is easy to boost productivity with little effort.
Be A Productive Manager
One of the biggest problems that seems to plague businesses suffering from low productivity is the management. There are several things that a manager can do that will negatively affect their employees, some of which they don’t even know they are doing. If you find yourself in a leadership role, there are several steps you can take to make sure you avoid these pitfalls.
Make sure you learn about your employees. Know their strengths and weaknesses. By learning what motivates your employees, you can be an effective manager that can boost morale and productivity. Another leadership pitfall is training. Don’t underestimate the power of training sessions and team-building exercises. Even using small incentives can help employees stay on track with goals.
The right full-featured e-learning platform can provide savvy managers with benefits extending well beyond training. You can set up weekly virtual meetings for the team, or touch base with individual contributors on the fly, and these sessions will all be automatically recorded and archived for easy playback and referencing.
Don’t mistake getting to know your employees with becoming a pushover. Those in leadership roles need to have sense of compassionate authority. Remember that your say is the final say. Always stand your ground. A confident leader with create confident employees.
Operate On A VPN Network
Once you have established a healthy work environment, you can start implementing physical systems that affect productivity, such as technological aspects.
A VPN network may sound like complicated computer jargon, however it is a simple tool that could have drastic results on your business’ productivity. First of all, the acronym stands for virtual private networking and is basically a secure encrypted “tunnel†that allows companies to extend their network and allow employees to work remotely. Giving the employees the option to periodically work from home or other venues will not only boost employee morale, but also allow for more flexibility and productivity. Once set up, a VPN network also allows the capability for companies to give contractors and others limited access to their network.
Getting your business set up on a VPN network is much easier than you would think. For a small monthly fee, a service provider would connect your network to their secure server. Even when using a public Wi-Fi connection, the network is always secure and can be used without any worry of security concerns.
The Tools and Software any Successful Business Needs
Establish Internet Guidelines
Speaking of Internet usage, it is important to realize that those computers you use daily could become one of your biggest hindrances. While it might seem like a no-brainer, many companies fail to make sure they implement some sort of Internet guidelines. More than a half of American workers admit to surfing the Internet and wasting time during the workday on non-work related activities. These simple rules will not only keep you and your employees on task, but also make sure that your computers do not come across any malicious viruses or other computer security issues. Set certain rules for Internet usage at work. Whether it is blocking certain sites or creating a verbal policy between co-workers to make sure you agree to avoid certain sites and online activities. By making sure you do not fall prey to time-wasting sites, such as Facebook or Twitter, you and your employees will stay motivated and on task.
If your company does not have established guidelines, then take it upon yourself to hold yourself accountable for your Internet usage. Don’t use your work computer for anything non-work related. If you find yourself frequently visiting time-wasting sites, such as Facebook, download an app that will restrict your computer from visiting these sites during certain times.
Give Up On Perfection
While we should always be striving for perfection, it is important to remember that nothing will ever be perfect. So, ditch all those preconceived notions that you needs to work yourself into the ground for success. Work hard, but don’t forget to take breaks. When knocking items off of your to-do list, don’t waste time trying to make things perfect. Do everything to the best of your abilities, then if you have spare time you can come back to certain things later to try and improve them.
Make sure that you are taking periodic breaks throughout the work day. Taking a mental break will keep your employees motivated and on task. Some health experts even suggest taking exercise breaks. Stand up from your desk and walk around. Do a few jumping jacks or another easy exercise to get your blood pumping.
Create A Happy Workspace
Whether you work in a cubicle, office or other space, make sure you have something nice to look at. If you aren’t gifted with a beautiful window view, create your own peaceful environment. Adding aesthetically pleasing items, such as plants or pictures is scientifically proven to boost productivity by 15 percent. If you aren’t happy at work, not only will your productivity suffer but also your mental wellbeing.
Use Your Commute
Many of us forget to take advantage of our morning commute to work. Of course, if you drive yourself than you need to focus on the road. But, if you take the subway, carpool or other public transit option, take advantage of this time. Instead of wasting this precious time playing games on your smartphone, use it to catch up on emails or work on other simple tasks that will free up time during your work day for more daunting tasks. You would be surprised how much you can get done in this small amount of time!
By creating reasonable restrictions, a friendly and comfortable work environment and utilizing convenient and secure systems, you can create the perfect work environment. By making sure you and your fellow employees are happy and confident, you can be assured that your business’ productivity rate will continue to soar.
