We’re all busy, so here’s some quick advice on how to get the most from your staff! Of the millions of words written about productivity, there are really just three things you need to remember.
For your employees to work the way you’d like them to, they need:
1. Something to believe in
Your strategic plan describes the game.
2. Best job fitness
In my experience, productivity and performance issues are often the result of ‘square pegs in round holes’. This is a perfect time to reassess the fit of key people within their teams. If you have identified individual strengths, you’ll be able to make the most of them.
Sometimes, this may result in more training or restructuring, or it may simply lead to the shifting of some tasks between people.
With the right people in the right positions, you can be confident you have built a winning team.
3. Knowledge of what they’re supposed to be doing
Your organisational chart, policies, procedures, job descriptions and employment contracts are the rules of the game. As with any successful team, training and coaching are ongoing.
Also let employees know how their role fits into the wider picture of the work that is done in your organisation. Are they fully aware of the consequences for the business of their excellent (or poor) performance?
By putting in a little extra effort on people management, you can make huge productivity gains. If you would like some help with this, please click here.
What have you tried to improve productivity in your business?
Susan Rochester has been managing director of Balance at Work since 2006. Susan has a natural tendency to balance analytical thinking with an optimistic outlook to set direction and solve problems. She is an effective facilitator and constantly creates new and more effective ways of doing things, motivated by helping others to achieve their goals.