Guest Contributor
Trending

5 Ways to Improve Work Efficiency and Privacy in Your Biz

By | Sierra Powell

If you’re reading this post, you probably want to increase your workplace efficiency; help your employees work smarter and not harder. But, you’re also looking to improve your productivity (that is, help more business clients, deliver more services or goods, generate more income and grow your business) using the same amount of resources.

If that’s the case, then you’re in the right place. Here’s what you need to do.

Have a Clear Understanding of Personal Time Management

Undoubtedly, in our present digital world, there are many online distractions. With the vast amount of tech tools available, employees have access to enormous chunks of information at a given time.

Speeding up information transfer appears as a step towards increased efficiency. Yet, there is a tradeoff: high-speed data is followed by an increase in distracting online notifications and anticipation of rapid reaction.

It is common for some employees to believe that they’d have quick seconds to keep up with a few memes while completing intensive projects. However, this is not entirely true. A particular study showed that the few seconds used to retweet a meme or check a social media costs employees about 20 minutes to get back on track.

While most employers know the importance of time management, they don’t encourage related practices at work. Consider these questions: do you need to constantly look over your shoulder to ensure that your employees manage their time well? Have you educated them on the importance of effective time management?

When workers understand the importance of effective time management and the repercussions of giving into online distractions, they can be inspired to manage their time well. Then, of course, with the help of some online tools and time management apps, they can increase their efficiency.

Consider Office Partitioning

The impact of office designs on productivity is profound; they can either make or break a company by affecting the volume and quality of output.

A few decades ago, the open-plan office was popular—most companies believed that these plans help cut costs, foster workplace communication and provide more vibrant and creative spaces. Gradually most businesses have discovered that this is not the case. These plans increase noise levels, creating distractions and increasing employees’ stress levels.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that open-plan office designs are entirely flawed. The main issue is the distraction; that’s why alternatives that maintain the open space feel are recommended.

For instance, there has been a gradual shift to glass office partitioning. However, while glass partitions create private offices with an open plan feel and access to natural light, they’re pretty expensive to maintain. They can also create visual distractions.

Another alternative is commercial room divider curtains. Besides being affordable curtains offer privacy. And when they’re strategically placed, they facilitate the open plan feel.

Curtains also enhance air and temperature flow, allowing employees to remain alert. Because they come in different colors and designs, they can create visually appealing spaces.

Have Regular Work Breaks

One sure way of failing is seeing your employees as robots. Such an attitude can cause workplace fatigue and burnout, making your employees feel miserable and unmotivated to work.

Although your employees want to impress you by working hard, they have limits; some of which they don’t understand. And so, be sympathetic to their humanity and encourage them to take regular work breaks.

These breaks will help them recharge, refocus, and strategize, such that when they resume, they have fresh eyes and more energy. For instance, if your company is situated close to a park, encourage them to take short walks and clear their heads.

You can also allow them to brainstorm ideas at such places. Tell them that it’s okay to get some fresh air when experiencing mind fog. Giving them time to recover can increase their productivity.

While there are no clear-cut strategies and rules that apply to each particular company, following the ones provided can guarantee success when used correctly. In general, having a clear grasp of time management, partitioning office spaces to create privacy, and encouraging regular work breaks can go a long way in ensuring that your employees complete appropriate tasks in the approved manner, using the least amount of effort and time.

Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button