Four Ways to Increase Productivity in Your Business

As the headlines warn of a pending recession in New Zealand, many business owners and managers will be crunching the numbers to see where savings can be made to offset rising costs.  Productivity is undeniably part of this equation, and something to be focussed on as we navigate the year ahead.   

There are a range of strategies that employers can use to increase their operational efficiency and ensure that their organization runs smoothly and productively. This guide will outline four key factors to consider when striving for increased productivity in your business.

Developing an Effective Workplace Environment

One important element of increasing productivity is creating a workplace that encourages productivity. This means having a clear set of goals and objectives, as well as ensuring that employees have the resources, tools, and support they need to meet these objectives.  Research also shows that employees, (who are now highly sought after!), will be comparing working environments as part of their decision to accept a role.  Well-lit and clean workplaces are a must, and also provide employees with a comfortable working environment which supports increased productivity.

Investing in Technology

Technology is an essential tool in today’s businesses. Investing in the right technology can help to increase the efficiency of processes and make it easier for employees to do their jobs. For example, it could involve introducing cloud-based systems, automation, or other technologies. Sufficient training and employee buy-in will help you succeed in this area.  We suggest you canvas employees for ideas on what could be automated or processed with less effort.  Ultimately, technology should offer employees the opportunity to mitigate repetitive and non-value add tasks as opposed to making their jobs more difficult.

Training and Development

Providing employees with the right training and development opportunities can help to ensure that everyone is performing at their best. Having clear expectations for all employees, as well as helping to identify and provide opportunities for further training and development can help to ensure that employees are adequately equipped to meet their goals. The side benefits of this can range from improved team collaboration and communication, to increased morale and motivation.

Rewards and Recognition

Rewards and recognition are powerful tools to increase productivity. Acknowledging and rewarding individuals for their efforts can help to create a more positive and productive working environment. Furthermore, providing incentives for high performers and recognizing exemplary behaviour can help to motivate employees to strive for success.

Increasing productivity is an essential goal for any New Zealand business, particularly during tough economic times. From investing in technology, to developing an effective workplace environment, to offering training and development, and recognizing individual efforts, employers have a range of strategies they can use to improve efficiency and ensure their organization runs smoothly and productively.

For more information on how to engage your employees, HR or Health and Safety advice, get in touch with a member of the SBS Team.  Freephone 0508 424 723 or visit www.safebusiness.co.nz