Productivity plays a vital role in the success of every business. In particular, creating a productive workplace will help business owners boost employee morale, improve business efficiency, and maximise revenue. With this in mind, here are five tips to boost productivity in your small business.
1. Create a Supportive Work Culture
Employee satisfaction will have a significant effect on overall performance within your business. One study found that happy workers are 13% more productive than employees who are unsatisfied in the workplace. One simple way to boost workplace morale is by creating a work culture where employees feel supported.
You can build a positive work culture in your company by focusing on employee wellness, creating achievable team goals, encouraging workplace relationships, and promoting positivity in the workplace. Maintain an open-door policy and encourage your employees to speak out if they're struggling with their workload or require additional support in the workplace.
2. Focus on Network Security
Cybersecurity breaches are extremely common. It is estimated that around 20 percent of small businesses experienced a cyber-attack from 2017 to 2019 — according to research by the Federation of Small Businesses. A cyber-attack can cause serious damage to small businesses, both in terms of lost productivity and revenue. This can lead to expensive repair costs, damage to reputation, and even closure.
It is therefore crucial that small businesses focus on ways to enhance their network security. Some simple ways to protect your business IT systems include carrying out regular updates and maintenance, installing security software, and encrypting your network. You can also hire managed IT services to monitor your systems and improve your company security.
3. Offer Employee Incentives
Offering employee incentives can be an excellent way to motivate your staff and show appreciation for their commitment to your company. Creating competitions and providing rewards gives employees a reason to improve productivity and work harder. Some popular company incentives include free lunches, shopping vouchers, gym memberships, and additional vacation days. You can maximise incentives by asking employees what types of rewards they would value the most.
4. Install Technology Solutions
Technology solutions can greatly improve workplace productivity by automating routine business tasks. This will enable your employees to focus on activities that will grow your business and increase profits. You can also install software to help you monitor your business campaigns and projects more efficiently. For instance, a gantt chart maker can be used to create a visual representation of your project plans. This information can help you track your progress and improve your overall project management strategies.
5. Embrace Flexible Working
Allowing flexible working hours can help employees achieve a healthy work-life balance. For example, it may allow an employee to attend their child’s school performance and then make the time up later in the evening. A work-life balance helps to improve employee well-being, which in turn, increases overall productivity in the workplace. All small businesses should consider trialling flexible working hours as a strategy to boost productivity and employee satisfaction within their company.
