5 Ways to Increase Employee Productivity

//5 Ways to Increase Employee Productivity

5 Ways to Increase Employee Productivity

In past blog posts, we’ve stressed the importance of efficiency in the workplace and provided advice on becoming a more productive small business owner (here and here).

This week, we’re here to remind you that you’re not alone. Just as a company’s success is dependent on its leader, a leader’s success is dependent on his or her staff. But a strong team doesn’t happen by accident. In your position at the top of the totem pole, you are directly responsible for creating your company culture and setting the tone in your store.

Here are five ways to help your staff help you.

Delegation. When it comes to running your own business, it can sometimes be hard to take a hands-off approach. But if you want a productive team beside (not below!) you, your employees need to know you trust them. The double benefit of delegating tasks to your staff is that it will lighten your own work load while empowering your employees. When delegating tasks be sure to set firm deadlines, provide as many resources as possible and keep communication lines open.

Accountability. As with most independent retailers, you probably have a relatively small staff whom you work closely with on a day-to-day basis. But as friendly as you may be with your employees, you need to set boundaries. When a worker is slacking or under-performing, don’t bedreamstime_s_50755507 afraid to take them aside and discuss your concerns. To get the best results, meet in private, remind them it is a professional issue instead of a personal one, and explain why it’s problem (not just that it is one). Again, open communication is key.

Incentive. Chances are, your employees are qualified for their positions. And given the niche nature of the paint and decorating industry, chances are they didn’t apply simply for a paycheck. So if you’re finding one of your staff members’ performances to be inefficient or unproductive, it may stem from a lack of motivation. To reignite their passion and boost their personal investment in your business, here are five simple and unique perks to keep employees motivated.

Appreciation. While the days of Christmas turkeys may be gone for corporations and small businesses alike, there are countless ways to remind your employees how much you appreciate them. We all know how nice it is to feel valued, and we all know the power of positive reinforcement. When it comes to encouraging productivity in the workplace, nothing beats a little praise, a pleasant gesture or a random act of kindness. In addition to increased autonomy and worthwhile incentives, here are five simple but often-overlooked ways to show your staff how much you truly appreciate them.

Lead by example. One of the best ways to ensure productivity among your team is to build a workplace culture that promotes it. We are all products of our environment, after all. Among the values you should practice daily are honesty, efficiency, transparency, optimism and – you guessed it – open communication. If you manage to build a community atmosphere that rewards hard work and celebrates success, the productivity will be sure to follow.