Strategies To Help You Maximize Productivity In Your Business

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Development Article |Maximize Productivity|Strategies To Help You Maximize Productivity In Your BusinessAn unproductive business is far worse than not having a business at all; it may be utterly dreadful for your profits and sales; if your firm is not lucrative or profitable enough, you will most likely have to close your doors.

All of your efforts will be in vain if your firm is not productive enough to gain the advantages of your work. Because of this, making guaranteeing your organization is as productive as it possibly can is pretty vital. As long as you can manage to do so – and there are various ways to do this – your chances of establishing your company and producing a profit are greatly boosted.

Continue reading to discover some of the methods you may boost the productivity and success of your organization.

Enhance the well-being of workers

The use of systems and being organized, as well as the application of business knowledge to become better at what you do, are all critical components of enhancing productivity. But these factors account for just half of the equation.

Every other component revolves around your employees, and no matter what type of tools you have in place or what kind of training you give, it will all be for nought if you fail to address one key factor: their well-being.

A happy employee is always going to be more productive than a dissatisfied employee. Their passion for working with you will be contagious, and they will be willing to put forth effort in their job. Most importantly, they will be loyal, knowing that they will be appropriately rewarded for a job well done and that, if they have any problems, they may share them with you.

It is doubtful that an employee will be as productive if they are unsatisfied, think they are not being listened to, or believe their needs are not being handled. Employees will only execute what is needed of them and nothing more, and they will be significantly more inclined to hunt for employment elsewhere, which will be costly to you and disruptive to the firm as a whole.

In order to achieve this, you must first guarantee that your personnel are as happy and fulfilled as possible in their jobs. How you go about it will be influenced by the type of the company, your budget, and the location of everyone’s office.

Make use of organizational resources

The usage of organizing tools in your business may considerably boost your productivity and efficiency.

It is simple for duties to be neglected or forgotten when you do not have any integrational, automation or other equivalent solutions to aid you to comprehend where everyone should be and what they should all be performing right now. When this happens, productivity declines.

Not only will your workers be unclear about what they should be doing and when it should be done (which feeds into their general well-being, as stated above), but you will also be unsure of when to verify that the responsibilities have been performed, or even who to ask in some cases.

When you apply specific organizational tools, everyone may feel much more at ease in their duties since they will all grasp what they are intended to be accomplishing at any given time. They will know how to integrate with Ingenico and any other new workflow procedures you have in place. Additionally, your clients and suppliers will be satisfied as well, because no order, payment, or work will be ignored, and your reputation will flourish as a consequence.

4 Hacks For Managing Your Team Virtually

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Managing your team virtually|4 Hacks For Managing Your Team VirtuallyManaging a team was hard enough before 2020.

With modern culture forcing many to work from home, management styles have changed. With meetings and catch-up sessions taking place via computer.

If you are a manager, this was hard to adapt to in the beginning, and as it goes on, it can be tough to think of ways to keep your team motivated.

How can you ensure that your team stays on target and continues to produce? Below are some key strategies to help you and your team to thrive.

1. Allow flexible working

Remote working has allowed many businesses to expand. You may now be responsible for managing workers from around the globe.

This is great for the business. Though it can make working in synch tricky. When you are heading to bed, your staff located in different countries may be waking up.
This is where offering flexible working can help. Look to accommodate different time zones. While also allowing your team to strike a better work/life balance. Try not to take anyone out of their natural work rhythm by forcing them to comply with your time zone, as work output will drop. This is also where a virtual office setup can help. By having tasks displayed on a webpage, they can be accessed with ease from around the globe. So, your international team can work even when you are sleeping.

2. Make the office virtual

This can be tricky in the short term. In the long term, it simplifies the working environment.

Aim to sign up your workers to a group email address. Invest in online meeting software that allows you to also send out invites. You will also need to set up a virtual mailbox. Many location-based offices regularly receive mail. So, you will need to update your business associates about your e-post box.

If you aren’t sure where to start, look at sites like theworkstation.co.uk for advice.

3. Progress reports

Many people don’t want to micromanage their teams, but with the lack of a physical workplace, what other options are there?

To keep an eye on your team, ask for progress reports. Weekly if you have a deadline coming up.

It is worth having daily meetings. For a more in-depth progress report, it is worth doing so every week. Make progress reports a part of the week and have them towards the end. Like on a Friday or Thursday.

This will help you to keep track of where your team is relating to productivity. While also providing a set structure for them to work to.

4. Organize 1-on-1 meetings

A working group is essential to the overall function of the workplace. However, among all the meetings and tasks, individuals can get lost.

Aim to host monthly meetings with each member of your team. This will allow them and you the space to better assess them. Without the stress of doing so in front of the rest of the team.

This will also allow you to look at their capabilities, and, of course, enquire into more personal issues, such as their health. If necessary, you can add or deduct tasks from them to make them more comfortable.

How To Improve Your SME’s Approach To Technology

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |SME approach to technology|How To Improve Your SME’s Approach To TechnologyLet’s face it; almost every business now benefits from modern technology. Sadly, the vast majority fail to unlock their full potential. Given that tech features have become more vital than ever thanks to the pandemic, now is the time to put things right.

Here’s how you can transform your approach to tech in just 10 easy steps. The improvements for your business will be incredible.

Step 1: Invest in a fluid approach

When developing a new IT strategy, it’s imperative that your systems are ready to evolve. Managed services ensure that your hardware systems, data, and software licenses are aligned with your needs. Better still, they can be reviewed and altered at regular intervals as your business grows.

There is nothing worse than satisfying today’s needs but limiting tomorrow’s success. Being ready to adapt is key.

Step 2: Build flexible working environments

Over the past two years, you have probably been forced to embrace versatility. Work from home schemes and other flexible solutions have enabled companies to survive. However, many workers now prefer this way of work. Cloud-computing and real-time team messaging apps facilitate this. It can aid productivity and staff satisfaction.

It will also open the door to using ad-hoc remote workers for short-term agreements and one-off projects.

Step 3: Utilise automation

Automated tech has completely revolutionized modern business. Using equipment that is connected to the Internet of Things promotes fast, reliable operations. Manufacturing plants and warehouses can benefit greatly from this move. However, automation also supports stock management and order fulfillment.

One of the great things about increased automation is that it allows workers to focus on more crucial tasks.

Step 4: Don’t forget the human touch

While automation can make your business run smoothly, you must not forget that consumers expect a human touch. Humanizing the company website is a great starting point. It will make users feel closer to the brand and can remove any confusion. Adding a live chat facility to connect them to a real agent can work wonders too.

Interactions with your brand are supposed to be enjoyable and comfortable. Keep this in mind, and you won’t go wrong.

Step 5: Pay extra attention to maintenance

Employees need the right equipment to complete their jobs to the highest possible standards. Still, it’s not enough to simply ensure that they work well on day one. Scheduling maintenance that avoids unwanted downtime is one of the smartest moves you can make. Not least because it will keep products in good health.

Operational efficiency isn’t only important for productivity speeds. It also prevents employees from becoming disinterested.

Step 6: Invest in your employees

It’s one thing to support your business with the best equipment, but it counts for little if your employees don’t know how to use them properly. Therefore, regular training courses are an essential addition. Aside from making them familiar with new tools or ideas, it ensures that all workers take a consistent approach.

Besides, upskilling your employees keeps them mentally engaged. In turn, they’ll be keen to get more out of the tech features.

Step 7: Adopt eco-friendly moves

While many people assume that technology is an enemy of the environment, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, using solar energy and recycled materials can have a telling impact. Similarly, opting for paperless tech can cut down on the amount of resources you use. It’s an ideal way to use tech in an efficient way.

Aside from efficiency, corporate responsibility through greener processes will aid your brand image.

Step 8: Look to save money

Every business decision is ultimately a financial one. Long-term savings are often the main incentive for adopting new tech tools in the first place. You can use modern tech to price compare all proposed purchases or service subscriptions. Meanwhile, ideas like 3D printing can save money during prototyping. Embrace it.

By reducing your expenses, you will be in the best position to stay competitively priced. It can often aid your sales.

Step 9: Use tech to form client relationships

By now, you will have embraced digital marketing in one shape or form. Success isn’t only linked to awareness, though. You want customers to feel engaged with your content and loyal to the brand. Using video marketing and social media to provide a look behind the scenes is crucial. Again, it humanizes the brand.

Collecting data on client trends and behaviors will also help you adapt your marketing and customer care efforts.

Step 10: Protect your business

Finally, modern tech doesn’t only create new opportunities. It also presents potential dangers. Managed IT can include cybersecurity, but you must not overlook other dangers. Copyrights and patents are very important. Non-disclosure agreements can also be stored digitally.

Should an ex-employee try to profit from your ideas or innovations, you’ll be able to take the appropriate action with ease.

How To Create An Effective Employee Onboarding Process

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Employee Onboarding Process|How To Create An Effective Employee Onboarding ProcessYour organization’s onboarding process is the perfect opportunity to make a lasting first impression on a new employee. This process should be all about making the new team member feel welcomed and valued in preparation for their role. You will want everything to go as smoothly as possible so that you can recruit and retain the right talent. Moreover, an employee onboarding process is often the first critical factor in building an engaged and motivated workforce. A strong onboarding experience can invoke a sense of loyalty among new hires, thus improving retention rates. Today we will cover some important strategies you can implement to optimize your employee onboarding plan.

Ensure Effective Contract Management

To make onboarding simpler, it is recommended that you implement a contract lifecycle management process. This will help you streamline the creation of contracts and simplify the collection of e-signatures. Pulpstream provides comprehensive guidance on the different stages of contract lifecycle management and how you can make contract execution more efficient with automation. As a result, you will ensure that everything is done in the same way every time by offering transparent and consistent communication. A new employee will receive custom onboarding, which will make a good impression on them even before their first day.

Create A Positive Employee Experience

You will want the new employee to feel excited and ready to dive into their new role. To ensure everything starts on a positive note, the employee onboarding process should begin right after the recruitment phase. It is important that HR sends a welcome email letter to allow the employee to learn more about the company’s culture. For example, it may be good to prepare information about orientation day activities, the first-day schedule, company dress code, and onboarding documents and forms. This will ensure they are prepared for their new role, as it will give them peace of mind and clarity.

Notify Other Team Members

Make sure you send an announcement to all employees prior to their first day, either in-person or via email. The announcement should include information about the new employee’s role and their previous experience. Encourage other team members to welcome and assist the new colleague as they familiarize themselves with the company policies and processes. When other employees are notified in advance, they will be more prepared to offer support and make the new employee feel more confident. Alongside this, it is important to coordinate with other departments as well to provide organizational belonging.

Make Their First Day Special

It is crucial to create a sense of belonging from their first day to make sure they stay committed to the organization’s goals. Take the time to plan out all activities and help them settle down by easing their worries and concerns. Prepare a formal employee orientation program and deliver presentations about the company’s history, mission, vision, and values. Answer any questions that might arise on the day and ensure they feel as comfortable as possible. You can also assign an onboarding mentor who can offer valuable insight into formal and informal strategies.

Organize A Team Lunch

One of the best ways to break the ice and allow the employee to get to know other colleagues in their immediate team is to arrange a team lunch meeting. Ideally, this can happen within their first week to ensure they have time to get used to all the new faces. There is no need to even leave the office, as you can simply ask your team to bring their lunches to a conference room. Take some time to get to know them outside of the interview process to make them feel appreciated personally and professionally.

Set Up Their Workstation

As a new employee, there is nothing worse than not having access to the tools and programs you need to be successful in your role. This is why it is important to prepare for your new arrival ahead of time and make sure everything is ready to go. For example, it may be useful to set up the employee’s computer, phone, and email address and order any necessary office supplies. Alongside this, a new employee should have access to software and electronic files before they begin. Disregarding this step can result in difficulties during the employee’s training.

Provide Personalized Training

The first few weeks with the employee should be focused on training to help them get started in their new role. Even if the new colleague has already performed the same job function elsewhere, there still may be some differences between organizations. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare a personalized training plan to bring them up to speed. Remember to include information about key processes, company rules, expectations, and procedures to fully know what the role entails. Training should also always be tailored to the employee’s individual requirements and goals.

Schedule Regular Check-Ins

Arranging check-in meetings with new employees is crucial to measuring how well they have settled into their new role. Although the exact check-in dates can be flexible depending on your company’s preferences, it is common for check-ins to be scheduled 30, 60, and 90 days after the first day. Be sure to keep these meetings informal and relaxed while still promoting active dialogue. It is essential to understand the new employee’s progress and their needs. Remember to review their performance and offer constructive feedback to help them identify areas for improvement. Ensure that they have the right support and resources to thrive in their role.

Follow Up And Request Feedback

Last but not least, it is important to meet with the employee even if you think they are doing well. After committing to a training plan and check-in meetings, you will need to find out how effective your onboarding process has been. Therefore, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the company’s strategy from an employee’s perspective. It may be beneficial to ask them what they found useful and what could be improved. Then you can make adjustments as you see fit and keep improving the onboarding experience for new employees in the future.

Enhance Your Bottom Line with These 5 Employee Engagement Strategies

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Employee Engagement Strategy|Enhance Your Bottom Line with These 5 Employee Engagement StrategiesEmployee engagement is vital to the success of your company. Engaged employees work harder, stay with your company longer, and produce better results. It might cost you a little more money to create an environment that encourages strong employee engagement, but it’s well worth it in terms of the benefits it can have for your company culture and, yes, your bottom line.

But what exactly does it take to boost employee engagement in a meaningful way? You need to make sure you foster strong work-life balance among your employees, give them the tools they need to succeed in your company and in their careers, and give the recognition employees need to feel seen and heard.

1) Make Time Off Mandatory – And Give More of It

You might think that having employees at their work stations more often would result in more and better work. But the opposite is the case. Employees who slog through weeks and months without any time off get burnt out, and lose their enthusiasm for the work. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your employees have time for rest and self-care.

When employees have time to recharge, they’re 31 percent more productive at work and make 37 percent more sales. Revenues and creative output triple when employees are well-rested. That’s reason enough to make time off mandatory and give employees plenty of it – above and beyond the 10 days that the average employee gets. Work hours have been increasing over the past three decades, with many professionals feeling increasingly pinched for time in which to take vacations, handle family emergencies, attend to their mental health, and so on. Mandatory time off gives employees a much-needed sense of time affluence, and can ease feelings of burnout.

2) Recognize Achievements, Anniversaries, and Milestones

Who doesn’t want to be congratulated when they do well, or when they have an important milestone happen in their lives – including a work anniversary? Employee anniversary recognition helps employees feel seen, especially when deployed in connection with proud recognition of everything else an employee does to make the company a success. Recognizing employee achievements, anniversaries, and milestones (like births, marriages, or graduations) and employment anniversaries motivates your top employees and injects a fresh sense of engagement into the workforce as a whole.

3) Give Employees the Tools and Support They Need to Succeed

You can’t expect your employees to succeed at their tasks without the right tools and resources. In fact, if you don’t give employees what they need to do their jobs, they’re going to become resentful quickly. Engagement will plummet, and turnover will soar.

Your employees need modern, up-to-date software and hardware to do their jobs, and they need access to resources that will make their jobs easier – everything from office supplies to company cars and phones. Do your best to remove obstacles that might get in the way of employees’ ability to move agilely when doing their jobs. No one wants to navigate a complicated bureaucracy with lots of red tape in order to get something done at work.

4) Offer Some Scheduling Flexibility

Besides giving plenty of mandatory time off, you need to offer employees some scheduling flexibility to help them maintain a healthy sense of work-life balance. In the post-COVID world, maybe it’s appropriate to move to a work-from-home model, or a hybrid model in which employees spend some days at the office and some days at home.

Whether employees are working from the office or from home, give employees the option to flex their schedules so they can attend to family responsibilities, run important errands that can only take place during the day, care for their health, and so on.

5) Give Each Employee Individual Attention

Each of your employees needs individual attention from management to feel seen and heard. That means taking the time to check in with employees regularly – once a week or so, check in to see how their work is going, whether they need anything, and whether they have any complaints. You should also put the work into getting to know your employees as people. Take them out to lunch once in a while. Grab happy hour drinks together on a Friday. Ask about their families and pets. Employees will feel more loyal and committed when they feel like they have personal connections at work.

Are you looking for ways to make your company thrive? You need to encourage more employee engagement. You’ll be surprised at how much better everyone can do when they’re committed to doing the best job possible.