Companies that can double the number of “engaged employees” generate 147 percent more income than their competitors, according to a Gallup study.

So, what can you do to boost productivity at work? We’ve learned a few lessons about maximising team efficiency over the years and have compiled 6 tips on how to boost productivity in your office.

1. Investing in the right tech and tools

This is an obvious choice. Your staff will not be as productive if they do not have the necessary productivity tools.

Your employees’ tools fall into one of three categories:

• Tools for collaboration and productivity
• Tools for communication
• Bespoke software

Collaboration and productivity solutions enable your employees to work together effectively regardless of whether they are physically there. They can improve teamwork and make projects run more smoothly.

Bespoke CRMs are a great way to streamline all of your employees activities. Here you can store all you customer details, contact information and order history to improve customer relations and retention. They also help automate daily manual tasks that consume much of your employees time which free’s them up for more exciting and challenging projects. Here you can manage your marketing activities, office projects and internal communications. When you have one custom-made, the software development team will tailor it to meet your exact needs, making it easier for your team to use.

2. Get Rid of Distracting Factors

Motivation and output are inextricably linked. The rationale is simple: productive personnel are driven. As a result, you must motivate your staff and eliminate “motivation killers” if you want them to be as productive as possible.

You must first identify the incentive killers in your firm. Here are a few of the worst ones:

• Negative personnel who bring everyone down
• Stress from overwork or a lack of support
• A lack of opportunity for career advancement
• Boredom
• Lack of appreciation

After you’ve recognised the issues, you may begin taking efforts to address them. Can you figure out what’s bothering someone and offer support if they’re being negative and driving their colleagues down? Can you ensure that you correctly recognise and reward employees who perform well?

3. Avoid micromanagement

It’s easy to succumb to the temptation to micromanage. After all, no one knows your company and goal like you do! The problem is that micromanaging reduces productivity. It makes individuals feel stressed and as if you don’t trust them. Micromanaging can also slow things down because it’s difficult for staff to be productive if you have to double-check everything they do.

Of course, you must supervise projects and be present if your team requires your assistance. To put it another way, you must strike a balance between being a hands-on manager and sitting back and trusting your employees.

If you’re prone to micromanagement, try the following suggestions:

• Hire people you can trust with their abilities, judgement, and professionalism.
• Give clear and simple instructions; schedule regular check-ins; and let go of perfectionism. “Good enough” is sometimes sufficient.

Also, inquire about how your employees desire to be managed. Varying people want different levels of supervision in their profession.

4. Make the Most of Meetings

We’ve all experienced the two-hour meeting that might have been accomplished with an email. Meetings that aren’t required waste more time in the job than almost anything else. As a result, simply reducing the number of meetings can greatly increase productivity.

Before scheduling a meeting, consider whether you could get the same information through via email, phone, short video chat, or one of the collaborative tools I mentioned before. If so, take action. If the meeting is absolutely necessary, arrange it. This flowchart from Harvard Business Review appeals to me:

Create and stick to an agenda when holding meetings. Following the plan and beginning and terminating on schedule will significantly save wasted time for everyone. Make sure to include time for discussion and questions so that everyone has a chance to speak up.

5. Reducing Distractions

It’s human nature to become distracted from time to time. However, if distractions are substantially affecting productivity at work, you have a problem. According to a CareerBuilder study, cell phones are the largest work productivity killer, according to 52 percent of managers. Following closely behind were the internet, idle workplace chatter, and social media.

You can take efforts to reduce the impact of distractions like this on your productivity. You can, for example, insist that cell phones be turned off in the workplace or that non-work talks last longer than a few minutes be held in the break room.

But be careful: being too strict could demotivate your employees and make them feel like they’re being treated like children. The key is to establish reasonable and equitable guidelines rather than to eradicate every possible source of distraction.

Distractions should also be minimised for home-based workers. Using social media accounts on work devices is not recommended, as are programmes that block time-wasting websites and working in a room with a closed door to avoid distractions from family. If you wish to encourage the usage of these tools, you can offer to pay for them out of the corporate budget.

But keep in mind that we live in exceptional times, and many people have additional duties such as homeschooling or full-time caregiving for family members. Treat your employees with respect and give them considerable leeway. They’ll pay you back in spades.

6. Promote Wellness

When one’s physical and mental health are in good shape, they are happier and more productive. As a result, advocating for wellness initiatives at work pays off.

As a business owner or manager, here are some options:

• Make sure your staff are covered by comprehensive health insurance.
• Establish an Employee Assistance Program where anyone experiencing difficulties can receive discreet assistance.
• Offer gym membership or fitness programme discounts.
• Stock the break room with healthful snacks like bananas.
• Form a partnership with a local restaurant that serves healthy meals to provide discounts to your employees.
• Provide staff with height-adjustable desks so they can alternate between standing and seated work.
• Ensure that everyone has enough vacation time and is able to disconnect entirely from work.

Many of these practises apply to remote employees as well, and wellness is especially crucial in light of the present pandemic. Consider giving your staff a discount or free membership to online home training programmes if they work from home. If you can afford it, you might also provide financial assistance to ensure that everyone has the necessary equipment, such as a proper workstation and ergonomic office chair.

Of course, taking care of your employees’ health does not include micromanaging their diets or exercise routines. Instead, it’s about doing your part as an employer to make healthy options available, inexpensive, and accessible.

How to Boost Productivity at Work

If you want to expand your company, you must increase the efficiency of your employees. Increased productivity translates to reduced stress, more money, and a better workplace for all.

In conclusion, here are my six golden productivity rules:

• Ensure that everyone gets the tools they require.
• Identify the motivation killers in your team and eliminate or reduce them.
• Avoid being tempted to micromanage.
• Only have meetings that are really necessary.
• Take measures to reduce distractions.
• Encourage and assist your staff in maintaining good health.

It will take time to increase productivity. If you follow all of these procedures, you’ll notice gradual improvements that build up to a lot more work. Support your staff, and they’ll return the favour in terms of loyalty and production tenfold.