Productivity at work has lots of external factors that threatens it and gets in the way for employees. Common distractions range from a noisy office and bad lighting to frequent breaks and idle time. No matter how minor, it can very quickly result in employees not reaching their peak efficiency.
Fortunately, these productivity leaks are preventable. But first, it’s essential to identify what they are before you can solve them.
Focusing on mundane tasks
Even if you love your job, chances are, you’ll still have to do mindless, boring tasks now and then. It can be answering emails, punching in paperwork, or taking calls. These little tasks eat up a lot of time and decrease productivity, without you even realizing it. Plus, they can trick you into thinking you’re more productive than reality. In the meantime, your real to-do list is lying untouched. So, tell employees to limit the time they spend on these mindless tasks. And unless it’s urgent, don’t bombard them with messages while they’re in the middle of work. It only takes one notification to throw them off their flow.
Going on frequent breaks and productivity
Taking time away from screens is important, but stepping out every 30 minutes can be very unproductive. More often than not, frequent breaks tend to be used as an excuse to put off work too. Instead, employees should use their breaks wisely. If they are accustomed to being in a cubicle all day, encourage them to spend time with coworkers. Researchers from Maryville University note that connections are vital for human beings to thrive. After all, we’re naturally social beings, and people need social interaction like they need a glass of water. Set a communal lunchtime at least once a week for people to get together. Ensure even those in senior positions join breaks, as this sets the example that getting together as a team is a priority.
Not collaborating efficiently
Teamwork is great, but sometimes, it can be inefficient too. For projects where employees work as teams, make sure that there is a clear delegation of tasks. Also, ensure transparency between members. Task transparency can result in more productive employees. It allows them to be accountable for each other’s progress rather than just relying on instructions from senior management. Before you know it, you’ll instill collaboration as part of your company culture. Author, Eric Barker, has noted as one of the most critical elements of a team.
You may even enlist the help of technology for productivity. Don’t be afraid to use collaborative software, tools, and apps like HipChat and JIRA.
Setting unnecessary meetings
Meetings can be another great way for people to step away from their screens and interact with their coworkers. Unfortunately, meetings have got a bad reputation for being a waste of time. So, you must make yours as efficient as possible for productivity. Establish a strict time frame that you don’t go beyond. Save questions for the end of a presentation. And, only invite those who have something to contribute to the meeting. You can even rotate who takes the minutes. That will mean no one gets excused from slacking off.
Having non-conducive open office working spaces
Open office spaces are all the rage. But, a study from Harvard shows that an open floor plan may, instead, be decreasing productivity. Efficient employees all work differently. So, if you have an open office, make sure you have dedicated and closed workspaces, free for everyone to use. Something as simple as a change of scenery can do wonders in boosting productivity. So, check to make sure that your office space offers different kinds of working environments.
Guest post written by Charlotte Snow. She is a freelance marketer and digital strategist who has helped build numerous lifestyle brands around the world. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and cooking.
© 2019 Wayne Elsey. All Rights Reserved