Top 7 Strategies to Increase Employee Productivity in 2020

Every employer wants to increase employee productivity and that’s not really surprising. Its like money and no one in their right mind would refuse money, right? 

We’re right in the middle of two eras, the pre, and post-digital age. Technology is at its peak and we’re experiencing products and services that used to be in the realm of fiction decades ago. But let’s hold our horses here for a second and remember the old phrase, “Where there is light, there is darkness”. 

Technology certainly has its own share of downsides, the main one being a constant cause for distraction. Today, the internet is easily available even on remote islands. We all have it inside our pockets now. Thanks to mobile phones, we can easily surf the internet whenever and wherever we want. This also means that we’re always in danger of wasting our time and losing productivity for the day. 

In this article, we’re going to talk about some top strategies that employers can implement to increase employee productivity in 2020. So without any further ado, let’s jump in: 

Ways to Increase Employee Productivity

• Instruct employees to create a to-do-list

Employers need to prioritize efficiency. They should let employees make a list of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. By creating a list, they will have a structure and plan to stick to. This will also give them a reason to chase and decrease their chances of getting sidetracked by irrelevant tasks.

In this day and age, it’s easier than ever to create a to-do-list. Just choose one of the numerous apps in the market, see if their functionalities suit your needs, and voila! You’re good to go. 

Jean de La Fontaine, the famous 17th-century poet, said:

“One of the secrets to getting more done is to make a to-do list every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as you go through the day.”

• Delegate tasks

It’s a risk but business owners and entrepreneurs have to trust their talented employees. They need to give them more responsibilities. This will boost morale and give employees a sense of achievement and direction. Plus, it will free up employers’ time and allow them to focus on some other important tasks. 

George Foreman, the two-time world heavyweight champion, said:

“Nobody can do everything well, so learn how to delegate responsibility to other winners and then hold them accountable for their decisions.

• Get rid of distractions

Distractions like mobile phones are proving to be a big problem for employers. Employees are constantly using their phones at work, resulting in decreased productivity. Restricting the use of mobile phones during work hours will for sure increase an employee’s focus and productivity in the long run. 

Use time tracking apps like Stafftimer to monitor employee work activities and track their daily progression. It will likely encourage them to avoid distractions and focus solely on their tasks at hand. 

Robin Raskin, the American author, said:

“The biggest problem is that technology often ends up being a distraction. In an information society, the smartest person will be the one who can shut out all the distractions.

• Have the right equipment and set up

Employers need to avoid being stingy. If they don’t invest in good equipment and tools then the company’s reputation and employee work ethic will suffer. For example, if there is no connection to the internet in a software house, most employees will not be able to do their jobs properly. All the tasks will be on hold and there will be no productivity for the day. 

Gene Kranz, the American fighter pilot, says:

“There is no such thing as good enough. You, your team, and your equipment must be the best. That is how you will win victories.”

• Offer support

Our motivation reserves are constantly depleting. The same is the case for employees. Every employee needs to be motivated from time-to-time. Employers should work with managers and supervisors to get an idea about company morale. Then they should decide if any incentives need to be given. If needed, they should also review targets and come up with realistic goals.

Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, says:

“Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen.”

• Teach them how to fish

No, we don’t mean literally. You know what they say, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ Employees should be trained to enhance their skills. This will, in turn, lead to increased efficiency and ultimately take their productivity to the next level. 

Mark Twain, the famous American writer, said:

“Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage without a college education.”

• Create a transparent and feedback-driven culture

Many employers and managers never admit their mistakes but in order to create a culture of transparency and feedback, it’s important to admit when you’re wrong. This way everyone will feel free enough to do their best work. 

So if you’re the CEO then learn to admit your mistakes. Employers don’t always have to be right and in control. It takes more courage to say that you don’t know the answer or have made a mistake. 

Whitmore, author of Memory Manipulation: How to Train Your Brain to Think Faster, says:

“Admitting to a mistake means refusing to use other people as scapegoats to avoid responsibility but rather courageously owning up to every single one of them.”