Enhancing efficiency at the workplace is a major factor behind the growth of any organization. But the question arises, how to do it? Different organizations employ varieties of strategies to improve workplace efficiency. This is so important that a company’s growth and reputation can be at stake if not dealt with these decreased efficiency issues.
To rule out the consequences of reduced efficiency it is important to focus on the root cause. Here in this article, we have listed down some of the strategies that can motivate employees to work better. Scroll down to know more about this!
7 hacks for improving efficiency at the workplace
Organizational growth depends upon quality production, which in turn depends upon workplace efficiency. Besides individual willingness, the organization also plays a vital role in enhancing efficiency at the workplace. Several ways can help to improve workplace efficiency.
Flexible Working Hours
Allowing flexibility in working hours is a great therapy for enhancing an employee’s productivity. An organization allowing flexible work hours enhances workplace efficiency by allowing the employees to complete their assignments at their comfort. Moreover, offering frequent work from home extends a positive outcome as it saves a lot of time spent on commuting. If productivity dips while working from home, management can utilize various time tracking tools to bring this under control.
Encourage Team Building
Better communication among team members and effective team-building strategies can heighten workplace efficiency. Encouraging employees to work in a group on different projects increases the in-flow of information. Incorporating various activities in between work improves the physical and mental health of employees that boosts their performance and reduces work stress. As a result workplace efficiency gets enhanced a lot.
Technological Upgradation
Technological up-gradation is vital for multiplying efficiency at the workplace. Like for example, implementing the use of iPads for the employees can ease up their workload. Research more on the latest technologies and implement those for the improved workplace productivity.
Incorporate Strategies
Workplaces without proper work strategies can frustrate efficient employees resulting in unproductivity. Plan out effective work strategies and eliminate those that slow down the work rate. Mapping a workplace process before a meeting is essential. Utilize smart technologies that can help in organizing the work and improve efficiency at the workplace.
Improve Work Environment
Fostering a happy work environment is very important to enhance work efficiency. As employees who are happy at work often stick to their tasks instead of getting distracted. For these, invest in better lighting, comfortable sitting arrangement, etc. Try creating casual areas at the workplace by adding couches, decorative wall paintings, and other stuff to give a comfortable feel to the employees. A refreshed mind can focus more on tasks than a stressed one.
Switch from multitasking to automation
Rotating between multiple tasks cuts down productivity. Automating various works utilizing technology gives better results. For example, email marketing can ease up the work and would take much less time. Various tools can be applied to automate the process which will improve work efficiency by reducing work stress.
Stop too many meetings
Too many meetings eat up a lot of productive time. Moreover, this makes employees uncomfortable and frustrated at some times. Using an effective project management tool simplifies the work process and reduces the need for frequent meetings. Though sometimes face-to-face group interaction through meetings is required, it should not be too much.
Hard Work or Smartwork?
Hard work and dedication are essential for better performance. Working smartly is equally important. Then why not work hard smartly? Let’s discuss how an organization can manage its workflow so that the employees perform smartly with enhanced efficiency.
- Track your time smartly. Lookout, what’s eating up the productive time every day. Use specific apps or software that manages time and helps in scheduling daily workflow.
- Prioritize the work by choosing the easier one or less time-taking task first. Do it at once to reduce load.
- Perfection is as important as getting the work done in due time. Running behind perfection may slow down the work rate. Hence, implement a strategy to check the quality, in the meantime try focusing on improving productivity. This way efficiency at the workplace can be improved with better quality.
- Investing more time in meetings may reduce work efficiency. Rather, engage more in standing meetings.
- Allot specific time bands for particular work. Keep separate times for replying to emails and messages so that time can be managed easily.
- Beautifying the workplace is important. The place where an employee spends the maximum amount of time should be aesthetically pleasing. Decorating the work desk with candles, pictures, plants gives fresh vibes that enhance productivity rate and thereby improves workplace efficiency.
- Investing more than 90 minutes to work at a time may reduce work efficiency. Breaks after specific intervals refresh the mind and boost up to take up the next assignment.
Steps to Improve Team Performance
To enhance efficiency at the workplace, team performance must be improved. There are several ways by which it can be done. Check out the below ways!
Focus more on strengths rather than weaknesses
All human beings possess a set of strengths and weaknesses. Focus more on the strength of a particular employee and assign work accordingly. This would help to build an efficient team with improved workplace efficiency.
Design a set of effective team rules
All organizations follow a specific set of team rules to maintain discipline. More use of cellphones or digital socializing during office hours or meetings causes distraction. And, distraction is the killer of productivity. Create a specific set of team rules and ensure everyone abides by that to enhance efficiency at the workplace.
Always make the purpose very clear
It is important to make the purpose of any project very clear to the employees. Knowing the purpose will make an individual understand its urgency or importance. Accordingly, team members can plan out their work.
Reward team members for good work
A reward can be the biggest motivation for any employee. Encourage team members or particular employees by giving them rewards. The reward can be bonuses, extra vacation days, a company-wide email, or even in-person congratulation. Either way, you can make the employee feel happy and motivated to work with consistent performance. This way others would be encouraged to work harder and workplace efficiency gets enhanced.
Schedule Informal meetings
Informal meetings or chats with team members are highly effective therapy for improving efficiency at the workplace. Team leads or managers arranging a coffee afternoon or snack party can make the employees feel comfortable and rejuvenated.
All the above tips can lead to the formation of a strong team. A strong and effective team can offer enhanced work efficiency. To restore the efficiency of the workplace it is important to focus on the above factors and take necessary steps on time.