We hear so much about the importance of productivity. And when everybody's got their own opinion of how to run a thriving environment, the difference of opinion can cause numerous objections which stifles productivity.

One entrepreneur that tries to make a fun environment for their workers can find themselves fighting against the tide.

Conversely, the entrepreneur that believes that targets and strict deadlines are the way to go will result in numerous stresses, anxieties and an increase in work-related illnesses. Is there a balance between the two? Can we help our employees work faster?

Eliminating The Hurdles

Work processes can be needlessly long. You may not be aware that there are specific roadblocks to an employee's workflow. For example, if the crucial components of the office are widely dispersed, such as a printer or general amenities, this adds extra time to your employees’ day.

While having a fully serviced office can minimise those obstacles in terms of the amenities, when you start to think about the other roadblocks that can impede an employees’ day, once you start to invest in these you can see an increase in productivity and a positive approach to workflow.

That one employee who is frustrated about having to walk all the way to the printer may not be lazy but they may have a lot of deadlines! It's worth bearing this in mind.

The Importance Of Breaking Down The Task

Every task is broken down into smaller ones. When we implement deadlines, it may very well just be for the final product which forces employees to develop their own approach to deadlines.

This can mean that everyone has their own specific opinion, and while a liberal approach to deadlines can help the the the well-being of employees in the short-term, by the time deadlines approach, the office is flung into a state of high anxiety.

It's not just about implementing deadlines to each specific task but it's about giving your employees the tools to break them down in their own way. Something like the Pomodoro technique can help your employees to keep track of their time better or using time management software are give your employees the frame of reference.

Using The Right Tools For Your Environment

Productivity means investing in productivity tools. Once you start to use the right tools for your specific working environment, you will be able to monitor your workers more effectively, but crucially, they will feel more in control of their workload.

A fantastic example would be to automate specific practices, such as by using Customer Relationship Management software. You should also think about the right tools that can help an individual employee to work more productively.

Using something like voice typing software can help your employees to increase their typing speed, giving them the opportunity to balance their workload more effectively and recuperate in between duties.

It's also important to note that giving feedback allows your employees to understand if their approach to work is effective.

While you want your employees to work faster, you've got to remember that there are counterproductive methods you might think are primary motivators. Give feedback and help, but you also need to listen to your employees too.