Critical Steps to Increase Employee Productivity

Increasing employee productivity is one of the biggest challenges for most employers. While an increased output is essential, the demands of the business should not be unrealistic for the employees. This will result in the opposite, unwanted effect of increased attrition. That in turn will lead to even more expenses for hiring and training new recruits.

So the important thing is to find the right balance in your quest for higher employee productivity. This article will guide you through the vital steps that you need to follow in this regard, so that you can get higher output without the risk of higher attrition.

Here are the critical steps that will help you to increase employee productivity:

1. Make Work Fun

Make working an enjoyable experience. Let your employees have the opportunity to experience a high level of job satisfaction. Think of Google. In general, happy employees are more productive employees. So go ahead and add some elements of fun in the workplace.

2. Challenge the Champs

Help your employees rise to the challenge. The same boring work will blunt the edge of your productive employees. Give them demanding and fulfilling tasks that will challenge them to deliver their best and enrich their work experience.

3. Find Things to Praise

Employers and managers are often critical when faults occur, but are stingy with praise when things are going well. Be sincere in your praise and constructive in your criticisms. At the same time, avoid unwarranted criticism. A super controlling, bullying, or dictatorial style may produce some short term results. However, eventually, these behaviors will lead to lower employee satisfaction and performance levels.

4. Make the Right Match

Employees give their best when they are well matched to the job that they are doing. Use employee assessments to determine the critical job requirements, and find out whether your employee can deliver optimally in the specific role assigned to him. Else, use the same tools to find out where your employee would be a better fit within the organization.

5. Valued Rewards

Rewards need not always be monetary compensation. Non-monetary rewards have personal value and can be just as potent, if not sometimes even more powerful, than money. For example, additional perks like personal parking spaces, gift certificates and unexpected time-offs can be very motivating, and intrinsically rewarding, leading to greater efforts on the part of your employees.

6. Keep Lines of Communication Open

Always keep your ear to the ground; listen to your employees. Be attentive to their problems, respond positively to their suggestions, and help them feel a sense of ownership in their work. Your employees will likely spend less time complaining and more time working productively.