Your employees are your company’s most valuable asset. They are the face of the business; entrusted with the responsibility of liaising with clients, delivering customer service, and creating a continually positive impression. As such, it’s important for managers and company owners to focus on the productivity of their employees in the context of achieving business goals. In this article, we’ll look at five
Hire the right people
Be diligent during the recruitment process. As well as experience, knowledge, and skills, try to gauge how good a fit every potential employee is for your team. Think about the culture of the company, its structure, the communication pathway, and the soft skills required of all employees. Check candidate references and try to read between the lines. Selecting the right people from the start helps to avoid issues with productivity further down the line.
Offer relevant and useful training
It’s important to ensure that your employees are trained to do their work effectively. Under-trained staff will struggle to understand their role, the tasks for which they are responsible, and their place within the organisation. A well-trained employee, conversely, will have the toolkit they need to be efficient and successful.
It’s also useful to invest in the soft skills of your employees. Through assessment and appraisal, line managers will be identify areas for improvement, and implement a strategy to help staff develop.
Empower employees to make their own decisions
Allowing your employees to make autonomous decisions about their day-to-day responsibilities is a great way to boost their confidence. When they feel empowered at work, they are more likely to take ownership, make a link between their success and that of the company, and be as efficient as possible.
Of course, managers will still have a key part to play in the support, encouragement, and direction of their team. Let your employees know that whilst they can make their own decisions, they are still welcome to ask questions and seek guidance whenever they need it. It’s a delicate balance to strike, yet one that can pay off enormously.
Set a clear vision
All employees must know what they are working towards. Your mission statement should be clear and well-known. Ensure that all new staff are fully informed by their manager about the company’s vision, its values, and how that impact their everyday working life.
Your employees’ tasks should be reflective of the company’s overriding mission. This gives them a focal point and a broader context, helping them to minimise inefficiencies and work together with a common mind-set.
Appreciate the individual
When managing a business, it’s easy to be bogged down in figures, analytical data, and the broad picture. Don’t let this be at the expense of your team as individuals. Understand their unique needs and look out for signs of overwork or stress. Encourage your team to practice self-care, and offer pastoral support where it is required. This will help each employee to feel valued, prompting them to work efficiently.
Managing the productivity of your workforce is just one part of your overall enterprise resource planning efforts; using specialist software can help you to gain useful insights into the ongoing maintenance of all your resources.
