If maintaining a high level of productivity among your staff is a constant struggle, you are not alone. A recent survey conducted by LinkedIn revealed that 9 out of 10 employees are not able to complete required daily tasks. While there were large gaps in productivity between industries, with individuals in the agriculture industry being the most productive and those in the legal industry the least productive, the biggest reason for unproductivity was unplanned tasks. Unexpected emails, phone calls and meetings, for example, are a big factor in daily tasks not being completed.
It is important to move beyond only creating a supportive and positive environment and also focus on an environment where employees are not only encouraged to work but are also physically able to get their work done.
As an employer it is in your best interests to make it as easy and efficient as possible for your staff to get their work done on a daily basis. Making an effort to minimize distractions, like having set times for meetings and encouraging employees to set aside specific times to address emails and return phone calls, can go a long way to make them feel that they are valued and that you want them to succeed.
