The stress and strain caused by this pandemic and the ensuing global crisis have taken their toll on businesses and employees around the world. Employers are dealing with untold pressures to keep their businesses profitable as well as remaining empathetic to the ever-growing needs of their staff. Increasing your office’s efficiency rates doesn’t have to be a nearly impossible goal; here are 5 simple tactics you can employ in your office today.
- Be Flexible
We are all going through a tough time dealing with the fallout from this pandemic. Some of your employees may have lost loved ones to the horrific virus whilst others are trying to juggle work and kids who can’t go to school. Be a great leader to your staff, we are all struggling in our own personal ways, and simply recognizing that your employees can’t always work a 9 to 5 day will go a long way to increasing their overall efficiency. Staff who feel valued and appreciated will go out of their way to work harder for you which means you just need to give a little to get a lot in return.
- Upgrade Office Equipment
There is nothing more frustrating for an office employee than having to deal with inefficient office equipment. By regularly doing office equipment audits you can take the frustration out of your employee’s workday. Constant feelings of frustration and anger will cause your employees to make stupid mistakes and waste time redoing their work over and over again. Upgrading your office scanners and computer equipment will stop your team from going backward and forwards to failing equipment which will allow them to perform their tasks properly the first time.
- Encourage Mental Health Awareness
More and more studies are done each year on the impact of mental health on your employees and the results are conclusive – your workforce needs to be aware of their mental health and you need to help them improve it, especially when it is in jeopardy. Pandemic fatigue is on the increase and so many people are so close to burning out mentally as well as emotionally. Consider bringing in a trained professional for your employees to speak to, that way you’ll have a better idea of who might need extra help getting through this tough time. Mentally healthy employees are 80% more efficient than employees who are constantly struggling to get through the day; they are happier and so much more focused.
- Reward Good Work
Make your employees feel appreciated by rewarding them for a job well done or for going the extra mile for your business. Adequate job performance is the minimum output you can expect from your employees because they have a job to do, but when they perform well and they outdo themselves then so should you. Sponsor a weekend away for them and their families to show your appreciation for their dedication and continuous commitment to efficiency.
- Team Building
Team building exercises have long been recognized for their ability to unify your workforce. Arrange a fun outing for your team or sign up for online team building activities and watch your office efficiency skyrocket. Team building builds trust, fixes conflicts, and encourages communication and these are all necessary elements of an efficient office.
