We’ve come a long way in learning how to increase employee productivity. We know now that Dickensian methods and chaining our team to desks are ineffective, but what does help a team to perform at its best? Today, we’re sharing our best tips to help you increase employee productivity and see your workplace thrive.
Create A Learning Environment
Did you know that research has found that as many as half of millennials would leave a job that didn’t offer sufficient learning opportunities? For an increasing number of us, it’s critical that we feel our job has a sense of progression. For employers, this means that fostering a learning environment is vital to retaining employees long-term. So often, productivity dips because we feel that our work simply isn’t meaningful or feels monotonous. Offering opportunities for growth can counteract both of these productivity-sappers.
Some ways to get started on creating a learning culture are:
- Offer regular training to employees to uplevel their skills.
- Create career coaching opportunities on a recurring basis.
- Encourage employees to share their knowledge. Anything from a “#nerdy” Slack channel to a book club will help to make pooling your team insights a cultural norm.
- Give employees paid time to learn. Consider giving them one hour a week or an afternoon each month to dive into an area they feel passionate about.
- Ask your teams what they feel they are missing out on, and plan training sessions that address any areas of concern or curiosity.
Looking for more? Harvard Business Review has an essential guide to get you started here.
Embrace And Act On Employee Feedback
So often, dips in employee productivity correlate with how valued and heard your employees feel. As leaders, we often think our role is to speak; conversely, great leadership comes down to our ability to listen.
Focus on ongoing efforts to tune in with your workforce. Ask for your employees’ feedback on a regular basis and actively include this feedback in management meetings. Make sure your questionnaires are simple and as succinct as possible to encourage employee participation.
In your leadership training, help your management foster an environment that supports employees speaking up. Give your leaders the skills to hear what’s said and unsaid and promote a management style that invites honest communication. Then be prepared to honor employee wishes when possible.
Give Your Team An Inspiring Vision
A powerful, compelling brand vision will help motivate your organization, vital to employee productivity. According to the research, 39% of UK employees surveyed would like to be more involved in contributing to their company’s vision and values, so you’re missing out on a lot of passion if you’ve yet to progress on this!
- Your vision should have a ring of greater meaning. All companies have to be financially viable, so avoid lazy keywords like “growth” and “profit” which aren’t specific or uplifting enough to spark employee inspiration.
- Are your values front of mind when you make organizational decisions? If not, are they the right values, or are you just neglecting them?
- Review your values annually. They don’t have to change, but you should see if your goals align with them, or if they still align with your goals.
Give Employees The Tools They Need
One of the biggest drains on productivity is not having the tools for the job. One of our favorite pieces of TextExpander feedback is that it helps teams to enjoy their jobs, simply because they get to spend less time on repetitive admin and more on what they enjoy.
Having the right tools can make the difference between a workday that feels fulfilling and fun, versus one that feels sluggish and draining. Be on the lookout for new platforms or technologies that could uplevel your team’s productivity, and let your team know that they can tell you about any discoveries they come across.
If you’ve yet to see how TextExpander can benefit your team’s productivity, we have plenty more about our key features here.
Consider Alternative Work Schedules
We are big believers that there are many ways to work effectively. Lots of workplaces still favor the 9 – 5 model, but there are so many alternatives that might increase employee productivity far more:
- Remote work can be incredible. Far from being the distraction-rife quagmire that traditional workplaces might fear, many remote workers report greater efficiency compared with a traditional office role.
- Asynchronous work has huge potential for employee productivity too. Setting your own schedule lets you work with your natural energy flows, letting you get more done in less time. Our asynchronous team also reports greater job satisfaction too.
- Alternatively, maybe a four-day work week is for you! We’ve written our own guide to make it work here.
Explore Group Flow Strategies
Think of Group Flow as the ultimate environment for employee productivity. This is the communal version of Flow, a heightened state of focus explored by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. First observed in jazz musicians, Group Flow is a shared mental state of openness, ease, and motivation towards a common goal. It’s a powerful mindset that can boost productivity higher than individual Flow. Don’t miss our guide to all things Group Flow here on the blog.
Takeaways
- Productivity is about more than cracking a metaphorical whip on employees; it’s about creating a genuinely motivating and inspiring workplace.
- A workplace that celebrates learning will help employees feel there is progression to their work and feel valued by their employer.
- Often, employee productivity drops because some employers forget dedication is two-way. Show your employees their value by regularly soliciting feedback and promptly acting on team requests.
- Create an inspiring vision, with values that are part of the day-to-day running of your organization.
- Ensure that your team uses up-to-date tools to avoid unnecessary busywork and unmotivating admin through support like TextExpander.
- Explore alternatives to the 9 – 5 by seeing if remote work, asynchronous work, or a four-day week would better suit your team.
- Lastly, Group Flow strategies will help your team to align and focus on a common purpose.
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