10 Tips for Getting More Out of Your Employees

In the modern marketplace, it's businesses that strive for efficiency that are able to keep pace with the competition. For all of the technical proficiency and automation that we've come to rely on, it's still people who run businesses, making it all the more important to get the best effort from your employees. If you are searching for ways to energize your staff, consider these tips to provide motivation and support to increase productivity.

1. Make Productivity Central to the Culture

Asking employees at random to simply work harder will produce shoddy results at best. If you want lasting effects, weave your expectations of work ethic and professionalism into the fabric of your company's culture. A mantra can be a powerful tool of transformation, so create an inspiring mission statement that employees can rally around. By bringing individuals together around a central theme and common understanding, you instill a pervasive element of pride and accountability.

2. Reward Innovations and Efficiency

It's assumed that you hire individuals who have the talent and drive to get the job done to your satisfaction. Let employees know they have your trust and support by giving them the latitude to introduce new methods and seek solutions to boost efficiency, rewarding those who demonstrate true innovation. By encouraging and compensating workers who show independent initiative, you cultivate an environment where workers see a correlation between their own success and that of the company.

3. Make Workplace Rules Crystal Clear

People find discipline more palatable when parameters are clearly defined and responses to violations are measured, so create detailed employee guidelines covering everything from when it's acceptable to make personal calls, to what is considered frivolous Internet activity. Eliminate grey areas and, no matter how much you are compelled to play the role of "nice guy," hold everyone accountable lest you allow a negative trend to emerge. You have the reasonable expectation that workers remain focused on their job, which employees will respect that as long as rules are fair and everyone is treated equally.

4. Create a Healthy Environment

Studies show attributes of a physical location have a dramatic impact on the performance and engagement of employees. To make your office as inviting as possible, start by focusing on the basic elements by providing plenty of natural light and a healthy flow of air set at a consistently comfortable temperature. You are asking individuals to spend about a third of their waking hours in your office, so make them feel at home by providing clean and organized shared spaces, such as lounges and kitchens, and decorate with vibrant wall art and live plants, which are proven to reduce stress. Healthy employees are simply more productive, so make nutritious drinks and healthy snacks available onsite and encourage fresh air breaks throughout the day.

5. Stoke Morale

Keep your finger on the pulse of your staff in order to identify periods when employees need perking up. Whether you are combating mental fatigue during the busy season or battling the Monday blues, a strategically scheduled breakfast or lunch can provide a mental boost to make even the toughest days more anticipated. Offer your team some rest and relaxation on occasion to recharge the batteries, and renew camaraderie by planning a favorite group activity. Or, just knock off early on a Friday with the expectation that individuals come back on Monday with a full head of steam.

6. Supply Professional Development Opportunities

Keep your office up-to-date on the latest technologies and techniques by providing expert group-training sessions. Make outside courses and education opportunities available on a voluntary basis, going as far as to offer reimbursement for course work that enhances employees' ability to do their jobs. You’ll not only be keeping your staff on the cutting edge while developing talent, but also supporting those with the drive and desire to get ahead.

7. Assign Tasks People Enjoy

It's no surprise that individuals are more productive working on tasks that they actually enjoy. By taking the time to get to know your employees interests, skill sets, and personal preferences, you can better tailor their workload to maximize production. Don't be a slave to strictly defined job definitions. If John likes being on the computer, while Jane enjoys customer service, re-balance responsibilities to suit individual strengths.

8. Poll Employees

Too often, bosses only listen to what employees have to say when they interview them on the way in, and solicit feedback on the way out. Try polling your staff on an annual basis to learn more about their work experience to identify ways to effect productive change. If 80% of the office thinks the computer system is dragging them down, or the sales staff is unhappy with reimbursement procedures, take decisive action to demonstrate your support. Effective workplace communication is essential to a successful team dynamic, so keep an open door policy for sharing ideas, as well as concerns.

9. Hire From Within

If individuals see themselves in a dead-end job, they have little incentive to impressive. When companies hire from within and reward talent and achievement they give workers a reason to take initiative, while introducing the element of healthy competition. Show employees a ladder to success that they can climb with hard work and determination.

10. Spotlight Excellence

As much as you strive to sets high expectations of productivity, you also need to let individuals know when they have done a great job. Take time at monthly meetings or annual events to spotlight and reward staff members who have demonstrated excellence, going beyond individual awards to recognized entire groups when they have met and exceeded goals. Never underestimate the power of positive reinforcement, where a simple pat on the back or thank you for all the hard work can go a long way toward building relationships and developing loyal, dedicated employees.

Final Thoughts

There are few more effective ways to boost productivity and increase profits by getting more out of your employees. By taking a comprehensive approach that includes setting high standards and expectations, lending necessary support, and supplying tangible incentives for innovation and achievement, you can energize your entire staff while building a culture of hard work, collaboration, and accountability.

What other tips can you suggest to maximize the efforts of your employees?