If a task takes too long, it’s like playing a game of broken telephone. No matter how simple the action should be, the steps it takes in between can ruin any level of productivity you had hoped for. If a customer places an order online and that needs to be manually processed, tasks will only pile up until there is a backlog of unreasonable proportions.
If a computer system, on the other hand, can automatically process the order and payment, and notify your inventory for shipment, all of that hassle can be completed in seconds. Admin is not something people are naturally good at. It becomes monotonous at times and our minds shut down.
By improving the productivity of your workplace, you improve the productivity of your workforce. Accomplish this and more just by following this guide:
Tackle Your Bases
Before you look into improving systems or buying new software, you need to tackle the universal problems in your office.
• Improve the Office Environment
If the office environment depresses your employees, it doesn’t matter how hard you work them or what software you use —they will not cooperate. If your office is in a dark basement,then all the help in the world isn’t going to change the fact that their brains are physically working against them.
That is why you need to first look into improving the office environment. Use light therapy lights that adjust the color correction in your office depending on the weather outside. Add plants, art, and other pieces that help boost creativity and mental well-being.
• Ask Your Employees What They Need
Before you consider yourself done, ask your employees what they need to work better. Simple solutions like flextime, the ability to work remotely once a week, and other similar benefits, can boost well-being and productivity.
Improve Your Management Style
The second step is to improve your own management style. How you manage your team is up to you, but you will want to look into adopting two proven solutions along the way:
• Get to Know Your Team One-On-One
In order for everyone on your team to be working their best,they need to be playing to their strengths. Get to know all of them one-on-one so that you can restructure your teams in ways that benefits all. This will take time, of course, but the end reward is worth it.
• Invest in Time-Saving Software
The right software can cut down on boring admin tasks significantly. That is why you need the right management systems in place — including for yourself. Monitoring progress and providing support for your team can be made easier with project management software which helps with avariety of tasks.
Improve Everyone’s Skills
Look to the future and work to improve staff skills and knowledge so that everyone is on board with the cutting-edge strategies in your industry. You can either sponsor an employee to attend a conference or workshop where they learn first-hand, or you can subscribe to journals, reports, and industry news and write up summaries of what they need to know.
