Right now is an important time to think about how you manage efficiency in the workplace. Many offices are having to make do with fewer employees than they might have had before the pandemic.

Ways to Improve Your Employees’ Productivity

Despite the availability of open jobs and high unemployment, many workers aren’t ready to return to full-time employment.

If you’re an employer, you have to get creative in how you do everything right now.

With that in mind, the following are some easy and relatively inexpensive ways to improve employee productivity.

Automate

If you’re one of those offices that maybe has been a bit reluctant to embrace technology, now could be the time to get past that.

When you automate things in the office, such as AP automation or marketing automation, your employees will get through repetitive tasks more quickly.

Then, they’ll have a greater level of productivity because they can focus on things that will create value.

Don’t be afraid of automation. It’s a big term that can come with a lot of implications, but in reality, for many small businesses, it just means using software and tech platforms to make things easier for yourself and your employees.

In general, giving your employees the best technology will cost some money upfront as part of the initial investment, but you’re going to see a return on it many times over.

It’s cheaper to provide technology solutions than to see lagging productivity, time spent on repetitive tasks, and human errors.

When you take away the need for so many monotonous tasks through technology and automation, your employees will not just be more productive but also happier.

Project management, documentation, and file storage, and document management are some excellent primary places to integrate automation, along with AP automation.

Get To Know Your Employees Individually

It takes no money and only an investment of your time to get to know your employees on an individual basis.

When you do this, you can learn more about what motivates your employees. You’ll know what their goals and objectives are and how they personally measure success.

You’ll also know what situations allow them to thrive, and you can integrate all of this knowledge into your interactions with them.

Plus, when you know your employees on a personal basis, there’s a sense of motivation that can come from them because they’re going to feel more dedicated to someone who takes the time to get to know them.

Encourage Autonomy

Micromanaging is the ultimate killer of productivity. If you own a small business, it might be difficult for you to let go of the reins, but without doing so, you’re hamstringing your employees and your entire business.

Stop micromanaging and instead encourage employees to take calculated risks in how they do things. Those risks can lead to innovation and great outcomes.

When employees fear failure too much, or they worry they’re going to be on the receiving end of extreme criticism, they’re not likely to go out on a limb. They’re going to be less creative, less motivated, and ultimately, less productive.

You want your employees to feel comfortable enough so that they’re ambitious and go outside norms.

Autonomous, confident employees will become your greatest strength.

Be Clear and Open With Communication

A lack of clarity, transparency and communication destroys productivity. When your employees are unclear on procedures or expectations, they’re not going to be empowered to do their best work.

If they feel like everything is shrouded in secrecy, they’re going to lose motivation.

When you’re a leader who is upfront, straightforward and communicates well on all of your expectations, your employees are going to be better positioned to work at a peak productivity level.

Consider Flexible Scheduling

When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, many employers had to send everyone home to work remotely if possible. Now, there’s more of a hybrid approach to the workplace.

You can use this hybrid approach and flexible scheduling to improve productivity.

The best source of information about what your employees might like to see in scheduling and remote work is them. Ask your employees what they prefer and why.

Conclusion

Finally, stop interrupting your employees. Your employees need to be able to get deep into their work to be productive, but you coming by their desk every hour or emailing them constantly is going to prevent them from getting into this high-level work mode.

Be mindful of what you’re doing that could be derailing productivity.

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