Employee productivity is a hot topic in management circles. Everyone seems to be looking for ways to get more out of their employees. But what is employee productivity, and what can managers do to increase it? In this post, we’ll explore these questions and provide tips.
Our informed view of employee productivity?
It is the outcome of all to be able contribute fully given their total potential, having the necessary skills for the task, the mandate and resources to do it, supported by fit behaviors and habits aligned with the organizational values in a sustainable manner.
Engaged employees are driven by a combination of autonomy, leveraging their full potential in a meaningful context. What is sustainable differs across ecosystems, assuming you don’t violate the basic UN Human Rights.
Our own value framework at AINO and our reinforcing habits is one humble example of what that means for us. We can’t be productive alone. We progress together with our clients and partners. Our values and fit habits represent our social sustainability agenda as well as our inclusion agenda.
A high impact organization requires a positive and trusted environment. It is not a guarantee but a requirement. You must be capable as well.
Defining employee productivity
Employee productivity is often a measure of how efficiently an employee is able to convert their time and effort into quality work. In other words, it’s a measure of how much an employee is able to get done in a given amount of time. Employee productivity is important because it directly impacts an organization’s bottom line. The more productive employees are, the more work they can get done, and the more profit an organization can make. Employee productivity also has an indirect impact on an organization’s ability to retain employees. More productive employees are less likely to become disengaged and leave their jobs. As a result, organizations that focus on improving employee productivity often see improvements in retention rates.
- Productivity is doing more with same. This is potential driven and related to scale.
- Efficiency is doing same with less. This is cost driven and the standard view of being good.
The benefits of increased productivity
Employee productivity is a key driver of business success. All organisation seek ways to close the productivity gap created by new technology in order to scale. However, few have looked into the human productivity piece of the puzzle. We are entering the emotional industry. It’s not about technology. It is about human beings using smarter technology.
The more productive your employees are, the more your organization will scale and the better your impact will be. You scale. There are many ways to increase employee productivity, but one of the most effective is to focus on employee well-being.
Employee retention is a major challenge for businesses, and one of the best ways to address it is to create a workplace that employees enjoy coming to every day. This means creating an environment that supports employee well-being, with plenty of opportunities for growth and development. When employees are happy and healthy, they are more productive. And when they feel like they are part of a supportive community, they are more likely to stick around.
So, investing in employee well-being is not only good for your employees, it’s good for business.
How to increase employee productivity
Sustainable employees are more productive and hence euqals good business. That is why comimg social sustainability reporting is welcome. It puts HR on the business agenda with clear business numbers, attracting the attention of leaders, work councils, boards and investors.
While many factors contribute to employee productivity, employee sustainability is key. Employees who feel supported and valued are more likely to be engaged in their work and committed to their employer. Conversely, employees who are overworked or underappreciated are more likely to experience burnout and become less productive over time.
Below are some important factors to keep in mind:
1. A positive work environment
A positive work environment is one of the key factors that can improve employee productivity. Employees who feel comfortable and happy at their job are more likely to be productive than those who do not. Creating a positive work environment can involve many different things, such as providing employees with the resources they need to do their job, offering flexible work hours, and ensuring that the workplace is safe and clean. A high performanct team assume a posive climate. It’s not a guarantee for performance but a pre-req. Sauid that we also now that a toxic culture is the dominant trigger for low retention” (ref. McKinsey)
2. Employee recognition
Global thought leaders like Jeremy Scrivens recommend driving cultures of recognition. It is a shared responsibility to celebrate small and large successes as well as the learnings from failure. Employee productivity fuels on employee recognition. When employees feel appreciated for their hard work, they are more likely to be motivated to continue on walking that extra mile. That is how they differ from silent quitters who “only” do what is expected of them.
There are many different ways to show employee recognition, with extrinsic motivators such bonus, offering them paid time off, or simply telling them that they are doing a good job. Why not demonstrate trust by delegating power to grow or look into the ROI of that benefits portfolio you have? We expect that in the quest of employee experience Gen Z expect more flexible compensation and benefits packages.
3. Training and development
In the end we all want to be future proof and finding another job when we leave the current one. Just like we expect to sell our house to make a profit. If our value decreases by simply working somewhere it is sustainable. How do each one learn something useful for whatever is next in their future proof career? When employees feel like they are constantly learning and growing on their job, they are more likely to be engaged in their work and less likely to become bored (overqualified) or frustrated (unable).
Additionally, offering training and development opportunities can help to attract and retain top talent. Another criteriga for high peforming teams is a high degree of psychologcal safety: feeling included as well as safe to learn from failure and/or challenge status quo.
Learning on the job is the dominant focus. Teaching others is itself is the key to master a craft.
Said that: do you promote cross company competency pools in the flatter organisation?
4. A clear meaningful purpose and clarity on what is expected
When employees have a clear understanding of the company’s purpose and goals, they are more likely to be productive in their work. This is because they will know what is expected of them and will be able to work towards specific goals. Companies must communicate their purpose clearly to all employees so that everyone are aligned. Employees increasingly seek a meaniong ful purpose at work and how their own contribution contribute to that.
5. Regular feedback
Regular feedback is another important factor. When employees receive feedback on their performance on a regular basis, they will know what areas they need to improve in and will be able to make changes accordingly. Additionally, regular feedback can help to build trust between managers and employees. Best way to operationalize feedback is to give room for cross organizational teams to meet in collaborative conversations around televant topics. It drives engagement, learning, inclusion and the overall understanding how each one of us contribute and depend on each other.
Tools and resources to help employees be more productive
There are many tools and resources available to help employees be more productive.
One such tool is Aino’s SaaS which could be regarded as preventive nmaintenance of people wellbeing. We react on triggers indicating future absence. Sauid that we mitigate risks and leverage opportunities before this triggers result in actual sick leave and/or worse accidents that together is the pipeline to long term sick leave.
By guiding managers with best practice standards this data-driven solution can both identify the issue, send notifications to managers and guide them on how to solve the issue in a systematic way, enriching data to information that leads to informed actions on individual levels. Like a fire detector detect early stage fires we detect early stage human burnout.
This has a significant symbolic impact on employee productivity, as well as on employee sustainability. Other benefits reduced sick leave and related costs, improved working ability and health, and reduced risks of premature retirement that has double materiality impact.
The implementation of such a solution is fast and efficient because it only needs already existing payroll data, and the positive results will start to show within the first few months.
Tips for creating a productive work environment
1. Establish clear expectations and secure mutual clarity
One of the most important things you can do to create a productive work environment is to establish clear expectations for your employees. Let them know what is expected of them in terms of their work performance, and make sure they understand your company’s policies and procedures. By setting clear expectations, you will help your employees to stay focused and on task.
2. Provide adequate resources and mandate to do what is expected
Another key element of a productive work environment is to provide your employees with adequate resources. Make sure they have the tools and materials they need to do their jobs, and that they have access to the information they need. Additionally, ensure that your workplace is comfortable and well-lit, as this can help to reduce stress levels and improve productivity.
3. Encourage collaborative communications between teams and across the organisation
Encouraging communication is another important way to create a productive work environment. Encourage your employees to share ideas and concerns, and make sure they feel comfortable doing so. Additionally, make sure you are available to answer questions and address concerns in a timely manner. By fostering an environment of open communication, you will help your employees to feel more engaged and invested in their work.
4. Promote teamwork
Promoting teamwork is another key element of a productive work environment. Encourage your employees to work together towards common goals, and provide opportunities for them to collaborate on projects. Additionally, make sure everyone understands the importance of working together towards the company’s goals. By promoting teamwork, you will help your employees to feel more connected to each other and to the company as a whole. Safeguard the fact the team leader has bigger spand of influence than the formal has a span of control.
5. Recognize achievement
Finally, it is important to recognize achievement in order to create a productive work environment. Make sure you take the time to thank your employees for their hard work, and give them recognition when they reach milestones or accomplish tasks. Additionally, consider offering incentives for meeting goals or exceeding expectations. By recognizing achievement, you will help your employees to feel appreciated and motivated
We hope you enjoyed learning about productivity and how it can benefit your company. increasing productivity is not always an easy task, but there are ways to make it happen. By implementing the right tools, resources, and policies, you can create a productive work environment that will help your employees be more successful. If you’re looking for a way to improve employee productivity, our SaaS platform can help. Our software is designed to increase efficiency and optimize performance by improving employee sustainability.
Read more about how you could improve employee productivity!
