On the surface, you may assume that your workplace productivity is top-notch. However, as you dig deeper, you may find room for improvement. And should that time come, you don’t want to hesitate to take action.
The first thing you should do is determine who you’re responsible for. For example, if you only need to worry about yourself it’s easier to take immediate action and see immediate results. Conversely, if you’re responsible for a team of employees, it can be more time-consuming to implement a system that results in a productivity boost.
Here are five of the most overlooked ways to boost productivity in the workplace.
1. Prioritize Breaks And Downtime
Many employers tend to believe that productivity is directly proportional to the number of hours worked. However, research suggests that the opposite is true. Taking short breaks throughout the day can actually help employees to refocus, increase their creativity, and reduce stress levels. It’s important to create a work culture that values and encourages taking breaks.
Employers can also provide a comfortable space for employees to take a break, such as a lounge area, outdoor space, or a game room. This can help to foster a sense of community and help employees to recharge their energy levels, ultimately boosting productivity.
Taking this one step further, you may want to consider the implementation of an employee wellness program.
2. Use A Task Management Tool
With a plethora of tasks and deadlines to meet, it can be easy for employees to lose track of their responsibilities. Task management tools help to keep everyone on the same page by providing a central location for tasks, deadlines, and updates. This can improve accountability and ensure that everyone is aware of what needs to be done.
Also, task management tools can also help to avoid duplication of work and minimize the chances of missed deadlines, ultimately resulting in increased productivity. Get the most value out of this by bringing everyone on your team into the fold. The more people who use the tool the more benefits it will generate across your organization.
3. Invest In Ergonomic Furniture
Sitting in a poorly designed chair for prolonged hours can result in back, neck, and joint pain, leading to reduced productivity. Ergonomic furniture, such as standing desks, adjustable chairs, and footrests, can help to alleviate the physical strain on employees’ bodies, making them more comfortable and productive. The investment in ergonomic furniture can lead to long-term cost savings for the company, as it can reduce the likelihood of work-related injuries and health problems.
4. Encourage Communication And Collaboration
A productive workplace is built on effective communication and collaboration. Encouraging open communication between team members can help to eliminate confusion and misunderstandings, reduce errors, and improve efficiency. Collaborating on projects can help to bring together different skill sets and perspectives, leading to innovative solutions and faster project completion.
Employers can utilize digital communication tools such as instant messaging platforms and video conferencing, to encourage regular communication and collaboration, especially with remote workers. Communicating with others has never been easier. Experiment with every tool that’s available to you.
5. Use A Room Scheduling Platform
Meeting rooms are an essential resource for any workplace. However, managing them can be a tedious task, and can often lead to double bookings and scheduling conflicts. A room scheduling platform like Robin can simplify the process by allowing employees to book meeting rooms quickly and easily. This can help to reduce the time spent on administrative tasks, while also minimizing the likelihood of scheduling conflicts.
Moreover, it can help to ensure that meeting rooms are used to their full potential, which can ultimately lead to better collaboration and productivity. It takes time to implement this type of platform, but the benefits far outweigh any potential drawbacks.
Final Words
Even if you only make one of these changes there’s a good chance it’s more than enough to move the needle. And when that happens, you’ll look back and realize that you were closer than you thought to boosting your productivity.
What steps do you take when you realize that your workplace productivity isn’t as strong as it could be? Would you add any tactics to the five above?