Increasing Productivity with minimal cost to your business - 14/06/2010

Increasing Productivity with minimal cost to your business 

Many small business owners want to know how to increase their own productivity and that of their staff. There are many ways to do this and without the price tag attached to some of the typical, such as “Team Building Workshops”, getting a “Business Consultant”, employing more staff to ‘share the load’ etc. 

1. Take regular breaks – We are all guilty, especially small business owners of working long hours. Whether it be to complete a project or because you work from home, you feel you need to work day and night. This in fact is the least productive way to work. If you scheduled regular breaks throughout your day, whether it is between meetings, morning tea, lunch, to go to the bank or post office, this short break helps to refresh your mind and clear your thoughts, which can prepare you for the next task to be completed or maybe to provide you with a ‘new insight’ to something you have been working on. The short break need only be 10min – get up from your desk and remove yourself from your office. It is like if you worked in the city – you see people popping out to grab lunch or a coffee or run errands. You too can do the same and encourage your staff to do this as well. 

2. Introduce music into the office – As the old saying goes “music soothes the savage beast”. Research has shown that playing music can increase blood flow to the brain, which in turn assists with improved concentration and subsequently increased productivity. So have music playing on the radio in the office or a CD in the computer. Now I know this could cause some disputes in small offices with regards to what should be played. If this is the case tune the radio into an “easy listening’ channel or alternatively have ‘relaxation’ or ‘classical’ music playing. “Classical” music is great for stimulating the brain, whilst ‘relaxation’ music helps to decrease stress. If you want try having a ‘roster’ so that everyone in the office gets the chance to have their preferred music style heard. Alternatively in my office, one of my staff puts earphones on and listens to her CDs via her computer. 

3. Eat Nutritious Food – If you have to burn the ‘midnight oil’ or work through lunch because of a big project, why not have health and nutritious food available on hand. If working through lunch or dinner why not think about having your lunch or dinner ‘catered’ for and I don’t mean pizza – have a local café provide sandwiches, wraps and/or fruit platters. Or why not look into have a fruit box delivered weekly, which will provide health snacks for you and your staff. Also if you have a lunch room provide health snacks like yoghurt, nuts and dried fruit that staff can snack on throughout the day. This will keep you and your staff well fuel and improve their energy levels, which in turn increases productivity. 

4. Encourage Exercise &/or Physical Activity – yes the dreaded word! Everyone knows that exercise helps decrease stress by reducing cortisol (a stress hormone) and increase the good happy chemicals endorphins, which are responsible for making you feel happy. And when you feel happy and less stressed, you are more productive! So make sure you and your staff exercises at least 3 times a week. To encourage your staff to exercise have them wear pedometers and see who can record the most steps each week and make a competition of it, and offer a prize (e.g. movie tickers, dinner etc). Or maybe start an office sports team (if that is something that entices you). There are heaps of corporate sporting competitions and local community fundraisers that involve exercise (fun runs, bike rides etc). You could start your own staff walking or exercise group before or after work. You and your staff could have someone come to the workplace to conduct fitness classes or personal training. The ideas are endless. Encouraging your staff to take part in some form of exercise is also good for building team morale. 

5. Have Fun! – This is the most important of all. To reduce stress in the workplace and boost staff productivity, why not organise a social event every so often (e.g. once per month). This could be a BBQ or picnic. It need not be flash (i.e. dinner at an expensive restaurant). Why not ask your staff to bring along their partner and/or kids to some events and make it more family orientated. Staff appreciate this and so do their families as it gives them an opportunity to meet their partner/parents work colleagues. Another way to have fun is similar to “Team Building” without all ‘bells & whistles’. Plan a roster of ‘social events’ where everyone in the office can choose something to do each month, whether it is ten pin bowling, rock climbing, bush walking, bear foot bowls etc. If everyone gets to suggest ideas, this will make the planning of this fun too! 

Final word, if you or your staff are starting to show real signs of stress, for e.g. increased lethargy, regular days off due to sickness or stress, it might be worthwhile to contact us and our team to help you get to the root of the problem. We have many different services and programs that can assist in dealing with stress and decreased productivity in the workplace.

Ciao,

Merendi Leverett-Bowler - Director & Occupational Rehabilitation Consultant

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