Boosting Your In-Office Productivity

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The story of productivity is a long and complicated one. Long, because it starts way earlier than most entrepreneurs think; complicated because there are a lot of factors that influence the productivity of a working environment. It would be impossible to cover everything and to do so thoroughly in one post; in fact, there are whole books written about the subject that still aren’t able to encompass the entire story of productivity. With this in mind, here are some of the most essential ways to make sure that your working environment remains productive.

It starts with hiring

If you’re already an established business, this tip might help you in terms of future endeavours. If you happen to be looking to start a business, there isn’t a piece of single advice to be given that is more essential than doing an awesome job at hiring your team. The problem with most large businesses is that their employees always start from “what” they’re doing. These professionals know what they’re doing – they are performing a set of tasks from [insert number] am to [insert number] pm and they are getting paid for it. The essence of a passionate, dedicated and, above all, productive workforce, however, is knowing the answer to the question of “why”; “why are we doing what we are doing?” This is the most important aspect you need to look for in potential employees when hiring – if they share your vision, the only thing that you’ll have to do is get out of their way and let them do their magic.

Feedback is essential

The mistake that many business owners make is turning a blind eye. Let me elaborate: being tolerant and trying to help your employees excel at their work is definitely the way to go, but saying “I’ll let this one slide” in your mind is ridiculously nonsensical. Why? Well, quite obviously, if they think they aren’t doing anything wrong, no one’s going to change. The worst part here is that when the final straw is at hand, you’re likely going to have a ton of stuff to say (presumably angrily), and this can seriously compromise the working environment.

Provide regular, helpful feedback to your employees, and pay special attention not to come off as condescending, even if and when they make the most ridiculous of mistakes. Being able to foster a good in-office vibe is one of the essential qualities of a rock-solid entrepreneur.

Never be emotionally stingy or zealous

Nothing good can come out of withholding recognition and praise, especially in the modern business world. Don’t be afraid to give a pat on the back to an employee who deserved it; according to a study, recognition can actually be a more potent motivator than money in some cases! On the other hand, holding a grudge has never done anyone any good. As a matter of fact, the best way to approach a back-talking, spiteful employee is with open arms and understanding – there is no better disarmament tactic than this one. As an entrepreneur, you need to be in touch with your emotions and able to control them, but this doesn’t mean that you should withhold them.

Lighting

The importance of proper lighting often goes underestimated, but the sunlight can give your team a tremendous boost in productivity. Unfortunately, some office spaces simply aren’t built to maximize natural light and, in these cases, businesses have to resort to the next best thing: quality lighting solutions such as LEDs and CFLs. Finding a trustworthy Sydney electrician to set everything up for you is of the absolute essence when it comes to providing your employees with a productive working environment.

Image source: Banno Lighting

Get rid of clutter

You have no idea how badly can clutter ruin productivity. Clutter means disorganization, and the lack of organization is distracting and time-consuming. There’s no need to hoard things in your office – get rid of everything that no one has used for a while – sell it, give it away, toss it, just do not leave it hanging around in your office, gathering dust and creating an unseemly and distracting workspace.

The process of establishing a productive team starts with hiring and goes all the way to the way you confront your employees and to how open you are. Hire experts to help you make the most out of your in-office lighting potential and come to terms with the fact that clutter is never acceptable.

You may also like: Office trends of 2018: Can an effectively designed office space promote productivity?

About the Author

Diana Smith is a full-time mom of two beautiful girls interested in topics related to business and technology. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new low-cost advertising opportunities.