As an entrepreneur or business owner, you should always strive to cut waste and boost productivity wherever possible.
But you don’t need to move the mountain to increase your business’s productivity. There are lots of little things you can do right now that will streamline your business processes.
Read on for some handy tips that you can use straight away to boost productivity in 2019.
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Set smaller goals to reach a final outcome
Productivity isn’t measured by a single final outcome. It’s marked by several smaller milestones, set goals that make it easier to track progress as a project moves forward.
Break your project down into stages, creating set goals for each team or individual that they need to achieve. Set deadlines, actions required, and who should be notified once a task has been completed.
A tight project management process like this lets everyone in your team know what they need to be doing, and what their role is in the wider scheme of things.
And this is as true for your projects as it is for your business as a whole too. Setting out your one, two, and five-year goals help guide your business as it grows, and makes it easy to spot areas where your business is faltering.
Create a business plan that spans your target market, your end goals, your value proposition, and so on. You should return to this on a regular basis to measure your growth by smaller milestones, shaping and driving your business journey further.
Don’t be afraid to let go and delegate
Are you the one person in your team who seems to shoulder all the responsibility? The sole individual who does a million things at once? If so, it might be time to delegate.
Many of us are put off at the thought of delegating tasks out to other team members. The fear of a loss of control or the concern that training might eat into our own valuable time makes us reluctant to relinquish responsibility.
But a little effort now (and a willingness to let go) will ultimately boost your business’s output in the long run. And it’s not just your delegate whose productivity shoots up — you’ll have more time to focus on more pressing tasks, enhancing your own output as a result.
Leverage technology to streamline processes
We’re living in an age of digital advancement. Virtually every aspect of our lives has been transformed by technology, from the way we shop to how we interact with our friends.
The world of business is no exception. There are literally thousands of companies offering niche technology that makes the day-to-day running of business easier and smoother. And with so much tech at our fingertips, you’d be remiss not to take advantage of it.
Indeed, the proliferation of tech has actually streamlined business operating processes so much that virtually anyone, of any skill level or experience, can start a business. Previously arcane processes are now accessible and intuitive.
Hibox’s project management software is one example of tech that helps businesses to work better and smarter. Hibox combines company chat, file sharing, and video calls in a single platform to manage all projects and communications in a unique location, streamline processes and boost productivity.
And if you’ve already implemented tech in your business, look at ways of taking it further. Much of the tech available to businesses today offer huge levels of customization, with a variety of integrations at your fingertips.
Take e-commerce for example. The industry is more accessible than it’s ever been, and it’s possible to build a growing business with ease. This is aided in no small part by the highly customizable store builders on offer, with literally thousands of integrations available. These cover everything from social selling and customer reviews to consumer analytics and retargeting.
In short, if you haven’t already leveraged tech, do it. And if you have, take it further through integrations.
Create a positive working environment
It’s easy to underestimate the value of a positive working space. A cluttered, dark, or stuffy office is guaranteed to negatively impact your and your team’s productivity.
Of course, not everyone can afford open, airy spaces with air conditioning and lots of natural light. But even in the gloomiest of offices, it’s possible to make a few small changes that will enhance your workspace.
To start with, check your air conditioning and heating systems are in full working order — the ideal working temperature is between 68-70F. Get rid of any unnecessary clutter (invest in new storage if required), and add a few plants to brighten up the space.
Small changes like this go a long way towards creating a positive work environment that helps you and your team work better in 2019.
Ensure employees feel happy and valued
A happy employee is a productive employee, as the old cliché goes. But it’s a cliché for a reason — when your team feels valued and respected, their productivity will increase and they’ll deliver better work as a result.
Recognize your employees’ effort and achievements wherever possible. It could be an Employee Of The Month award, or simply a quick email praising your team after a project has been completed.
It doesn’t need to be huge — simply letting your employees know that you value their work is enough to make them feel worthwhile and increase productivity.
Greater productivity is within your reach! Armed with the knowledge listed here, you can start increasing your output today. Follow the tips above and enjoy a more productivity business right now.
