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If you want to have a successful business, you need to make sure that office productivity remains high. One of the best ways to do this is to eliminate tedium as much as you can.
Of course, it’s not always possible to avoid those factors that diminish employees’ motivation. Even if you would like to, you cannot afford to allow your business to go down the wrong path. Nonetheless, there are some simple things you can do to make your employees happier and boost productivity at the same time.
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1. Rein in the Motivation Killers
What are the things that kill motivation in your employees? In other words, what are those things that stop office productivity in its tracks?
In order to find out, observe employees while they’re working. When you do, you’ll be able to identify problems that affect employees’ moods.
Some typical motivation killers are lack of organization, toxic people, and poor communication. If you spot any of these motivation killers, address them immediately. Don’t wait. Moreover, eliminating them will require a team approach, as you’ll need everyone to make the necessary changes.
What’s more, make sure that employees feel appreciated. Give them opportunities to advance and develop their skills. Offer additional training when it’s appropriate. In other cases, challenge qualified employees to take on new duties when you can see that they’re ready to do so.
2. Make Use of Gamification
There’s no surer way to kill office productivity than to allow boredom and routine to infest the daily grind. Here’s where gamification can come to the rescue.
Gamification refers to the practice of including certain game-design elements into the workday. It can include rewards and badges as well as rankings and leader boards. Incorporate incremental challenges, especially for repetitive tasks. This can help to make those tasks more engaging.
3. Set Goals and Give Feedback
Your employees will feel more motivated if they know what’s in it for them. Therefore, set some goals from the very beginning.
Then, talk with your employees about your vision for the company. Find ways to encourage them to buy into that vision themselves. Provide guidance as they set individual goals in alignment with your company’s overall goals. When you do, their motivation—and office productivity—will rise.
This works with short-term goals as well as with long-term goals. While you’ll need both, short-term goals can be useful when you need employees to accomplish something quickly.
Additionally, giving feedback is crucial. Employees need to know that someone is supervising them. Therefore, always acknowledge employees’ accomplishments. On the other hand, address behavioral issues such as chronic tardiness promptly. Nothing stifles office productivity faster than a coworker who isn’t pulling his or her share of the load.
4. Use Technology in Smart Ways
Use technology to your company’s advantage. Used well, it can increase productivity.
To this end, look for software solutions that will improve office productivity in your company. For example, check out just3things.com for some help in boosting productivity in your office.
Office Productivity Affects Your Company’s Bottom Line
Office productivity is something you can learn to get a handle on by putting our four suggestions to good use. Then step back and watch employees’ motivation improve, office productivity rise, and your company’s bottom line begin to climb.
