How To Increase Employee Productivity: 7 Simple and Effective Ways

A good manager or business owner looks out for both the business and their employees’ best interests. Think about it – a company is only as good as its employees.

If they’re not happy or motivated, it’ll show in their work. Therefore, how to increase employee productivity should be at the top of your mind. 

From giving Corporate Gifts Wholesale to investing  in their growth, here are seven simple and effective ways to get your staff working harder and smarter for you:

Reasons for Low Employee Productivity

Before we give you tips on how to increase employee productivity, let’s look at some of the reasons employees might not be working as hard as they can. This will help you better understand your team and how to manage them:

1. Poor physical workspace

2. Unclear or unrealistic expectations

3. Lack of development opportunities

4. Poor work/life balance

5. Ineffective management

6. Lack of appreciation

7. Low salaries

8. Demotivating company culture

9. Boredom

10. Stressful work conditions

Now that we’ve looked at why employees might not be motivated, let’s explore how to increase employee productivity so you can get the most out of your team.

1. Communicate Expectations

By communicating expectations, you ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what’s expected of them. This can be done through regular one-on-one meetings, team meetings, or simply by setting clear goals.

Because ineffective management, coupled with unrealistic expectations, is one of the main reasons employees become demotivated, it’s important to ensure that your team clearly understands what you expect from them.

How do you communicate effectively?

The key to communicating effectively is to be clear, concise, and direct. When you’re communicating your expectations, make sure that you’re doing so in a way that everyone can understand.

For example, rather than simply saying, “I need this report by the end of the day,” try something like, “Can you please have the report on my desk by 5 pm?” By being clear about what you need and when you need it, you’ll increase the chances of getting the results you’re looking for.

Note: Being too demanding can also hurt employee productivity, so try to find a balance.

2. Offer Development Opportunities

One of the main reasons employees become demotivated is because they feel like they’re not growing or developing in their role. In fact, it’s estimated that 33% of employees would leave their job for one that offered better development opportunities.

And who could blame them? After all, who wants to feel like they’re stuck in a dead-end job with no room for advancement?

How can you offer development opportunities?

Here are some ideas:

• Offer training courses: Whether it’s an online course, webinar, or in-person workshop, offering training opportunities shows your employees that you’re invested in their development.

• Create a mentorship program: Pairing up more experienced employees with newer staff members is a great way to offer development opportunities. Not only will the mentor be able to pass on their knowledge, but they’ll also get the satisfaction of helping others grow.

• Encourage employees to attend conferences: Attending conferences is a great way for employees to network and learn from industry leaders. You could even sponsor your employees to attend a conference if you have the budget.

3. Give Appreciation Gifts

Few things are more motivating than feeling appreciated for a job well done. A study even found that employees who feel appreciated are likelier to stay with their company and be productive.

Unfortunately, many employees don’t feel appreciated at work. These feelings can stem from a lack of recognition from their managers or a feeling that their work is not valued.

How can you show appreciation?

There are many ways to show appreciation, but one of the simplest and most effective is through a gift. A small token of appreciation can go a long way in making your employees feel valued.

And, it doesn’t have to be something expensive – a laptop sleeve, powerbank, portable coffee cup, or gift card can all be great ways to show your appreciation.

If you’re looking for some ideas, Apex Gifts and Prints has a range of thoughtful and unique corporate gifts that are perfect for showing your appreciation.

Read More: 4 Tips To Design Memorable Corporate Gifts For Your Business 

4. Encourage a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Never overwork your employees – it’s a recipe for disaster. Not only will it lead to burnout, but it will also make your employees less productive. Employees who work long hours are more likely to make mistakes, have accidents, and take more sick days.

Avoid this by encouraging a healthy work-life balance for your employees. This means setting realistic expectations and ensuring that they have the time they need to rest and recharge.

How can you encourage a healthy work-life balance?

• Don’t overwork your employees: Make sure that you’re not expecting too much from your team. They should be able to complete their work within a reasonable timeframe.

• Encourage breaks: Breaks are important for both mental and physical health. Encourage your employees to take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

• Encourage taking vacations: Vacation is important for both mental and physical health. Make sure your employees are taking the time off they need to recharge.

5. Promote From Within

When employees feel like they have no opportunity to advance in their careers, it can lead to feelings of frustration and stagnation. And these feelings can quickly lead to a lack of motivation.

Think about it – would you be motivated to work hard if you didn’t feel like there was any chance of being promoted?

Promoting from within is a great way to show your employees that there are opportunities for advancement. Not only will it motivate them to work hard, but it will also foster a sense of loyalty and commitment to the company.

How can you prevent this?

The best way to prevent this is to promote from within. When you promote employees who have been with the company for a while, it shows that you’re committed to their development.

It also shows that there are opportunities for advancement, which will motivate your employees to work hard and be loyal to the company.

6. Offer Flexible Work Arrangements

Get with the times – flexible work arrangements are the future. Not only do they benefit employees, but they also benefit employers.

Flexible work arrangements offer several benefits for employees, including a better work-life balance, increased productivity, and reduced stress levels. Plus, they’re also more likely to stay with their company.

For employers, flexible work arrangements can lead to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower turnover rates.

How can you offer flexible work arrangements?

The best way to offer flexible work arrangements is to start small. You don’t have to go all-in right away – start with a few employees and see how it goes.

You can also offer different types of flexible arrangements, like part-time, remote work, or flex hours. Test out different arrangements to see what works best for your company.

7. Try a Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE)

If you really want to increase employee productivity, try a results-only work environment (ROWE). In a ROWE, employees are only judged on their results – not how many hours they work or how they spend their time.

This type of work environment has been shown to increase employee productivity, satisfaction, and engagement. Plus, it can also lead to better work-life balance and reduced stress levels.

How do you employ a ROWE?

If you’re interested in trying a ROWE, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you need to clearly understand what you expect from your employees.

Next, you need to provide the resources and support they need to be successful. Finally, you need to trust your employees to get the job done.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the ways you can increase employee productivity. By implementing these strategies, you’ll create a more positive and productive work environment for your team. Remember, happy and motivated employees are the key to a successful business!