How Can I Make My Employees More Productive?

Productivity is a discussion that can hinder even the most experienced management teams. On one hand, employees are expected to be efficient with their time and produce to a high standard that reflects your company’s values. On the other hand, what the industry has come to understand to be true is  the typical corporate grind can lead to burnout, low morale and high turnover. Managing employee productivity can be a delicate balancing act.

Productivity and performance have to work together with company goals – and human resources in all situations. If you’re tying productivity, or the lack thereof, to potential employee disciplinary action in extreme cases, or if your methods and metrics aren’t driving the value of your business, you may be handling employee productivity wrong.

Efficiency and engagement techniques are key aspects to the formula for success. Let’s walk through some steps to put your team on a healthier, more productive path.

Step 1 – Set Goals – Measuring productivity requires looking at the big picture and should start by first examining baseline goals. If you start by looking at the sales team, for example, estimate or determine the number of productive hours based on if the team is consistently meeting, exceeding or falling short of existing goals. Creating an internal competition leader board to measure goals will help drive productivity and revenue.

Step 2 – Have a Plan to Follow Through – Management should be trained on follow-ups, especially with employees who fall behind. Without playing the blame game, follow-up sessions should include real, measurable goals for improvement and growth. Where does the employee struggle? Is he or she spending several hours on personal websites each day or are there underlying personal issues affecting their work during the day?

Step 3 – Implement Break Time – If you’re unsure about relaxing employee Internet restrictions, consider building in other times throughout the day for breaks. Contrary to what many management teams might think — workdays without breaks don’t lead to more productive employees. Rather, short breaks can lead to better employee morale and clearer thinking.