7 Ways To Improve Office Efficiency

Improving workplace productivity requires your staff to work smarter, not harder. It's also not enough to "clamp down" on staff productivity.

It's critical to consider all of the aspects that influence employee productivity, including the work environment, job satisfaction, and successful leadership. Here are some hacks that will assist you in identifying the correct tools and tactics to improve staff morale and engagement while also increasing productivity at your organization.

1. Improve Your Technology

Investigate technological advancements in your industry and implement any that can improve work productivity. Purchasing iPads for your staff might assist them in working on the go, particularly if they work from home. Use an iPad system at your front desk to swiftly and simply collect information and notify personnel of visitors.

Other innovations to explore can include smart scanners for retail floor workers, an annunciator for better communication, and scheduling software to put the right people at the right time. Using current technology can help boost your business' productivity. 

2. Implement Flexible Hours

Employees with flexible work hours can work when they're most productive and effective, whether that's late at night or early in the morning. Allowing employees to set their own hours will make them happier and more likely to do work-related tasks while on the job.

Consider making your workforce totally remote, or at the very least providing more work-from-home days. According to Entrepreneur, having a remote workforce boosts productivity by 13%.

You wouldn't be alone; companies like Zapier and Groove, for example, have entirely remote teams. Eliminating commuting saves employees a lot of time and allows them to work in a more comfortable environment.

3. Get a Handle on Processes

Workplace operations that are inefficient can turn typically productive employees into frustrated and unproductive ones. Examine your processes to determine if anything is unneeded that is slowing you down. Change or abolish these processes entirely.

Before you commit to a product like Microsoft Visio, try mapping a workplace process in a meeting with sticky notes. So that your entire team is on board, input amended and new processes into project management software like Asana.

4. Improve Happiness at Work

Happy employees are generally more efficient with their time, perform better at their jobs, and are more productive. They are also more likely to focus on the task at hand rather than being distracted by non-work activities such as checking personal social media accounts.

Begin by examining your working space. Invest in better lighting to prevent eye strain and window curtains that allow staff to control the amount of natural light they receive.

Employees should be polled about their work environments—are their chairs comfy enough? Is it possible for you to set up a couple of standing desks? Consider setting up a casual area where staff may work while lounging on the couch.

A quick change in office arrangements can energize employees. Organize a decluttering and furniture rearranging campaign (ask employees to collaborate first). Purchase new plants or artwork, or decorate for the holidays.

5. Automate

Multitasking has been shown to reduce productivity. According to Wrike, employees can lose up to 40% of their productivity if they are frequently switching between tasks. Here's where technology can shine, taking over minor tasks that aren't as critical. Try automating your social media campaigns, sending automated email campaigns with email marketing providers, and automating your sales and lead-generation efforts.

7. Cut Back on Meetings

According to Entrepreneur, U.S. corporations spend over $35 billion on meetings each year, and employees spend an average of 37% of their time in meetings. Consider whether your organization holds too many meetings—you could be wasting time and money, not to mention jeopardizing the happiness of your staff.

Having the correct project management tools might help you cut down on the number of meetings you have to attend. There will always be a need for in-person meetings, although perhaps not as many as in the past.

Efficiency in the workplace is just as important as making a profit on your goods and services. Running a smooth-working office can help make your business shine.