Productivity killers can cost your firm precious resources in time, money and talent. HR360 has a regular service called HR over coffee. One of the recent telecasts was about productivity killers in the workplace.
We make this service available to our business associates at no charge. We would like to make it available to you, at no charge. This is a $500 value.
Several recent surveys reveal that employees spend about 50% of their time on job-related tasks. What happened to other 50%? It is spent on unnecessary meetings, responding to being micro-managed, wasting time not knowing how to perform a task more efficiently, engaging in rumor and gossip, and so on.
Here are some simple steps you can implement to help employees avoid common productivity pitfalls.
Top Productivity Killers
A. Avoid burdensome meetings that are unnecessary, poorly planned and excessively long. Before the meeting:
- Set goals for the meeting then determine if the meeting is necessary.
- Invite essential personnel and key players only. Offer others option of attending or declining as a courtesy.
- Draw up an agenda have firm start and end times.
- Have firm and start times.
- Address audio visual needs before the meeting starts. Make sure technology works.
- During the meeting stick to the agenda. Try to end on time.
- Communicate next steps.
B. Micromanagement:
- Managers must learn to delegate tasks and then allow the freedom to work independently and with confidence.
- Deliver feedback on a regular basis. Avoid too much and too little feedback.
C. Inadequate training:
- a. Make training a priority. An investment in training is an investment in productivity.
- b. Trained employees are less likely to leave
- c. Explore options such as online training. Take advantage of trade association training
D. Inflexible employee management:
- a. Be open to exploring flex-time and tele-commuting options. This can pay off in more loyal employees.
E. Rumor mills and gossip:
- Stop “chatter” before it becomes destructive. Maintain confidentiality to the highest degree possible particularly with personnel issues.
- Communicate regularly about issues that affect the company and their departments and positions. Respond to legitimate complaints and concerns. This will diminish the appeal of the rumor mill.
- Listen and respond to legitimate complaints and concerns
F. Toxic corporate culture can tank productivity and morale:
- Assess your culture and remedy it if it is destructive. It should be a positive culture.
- Have zero tolerance for harassing behaviors.
- Build a positive brand. Remedy any negative
G. Digital distractions:
- Establish a technology use policy.
- Train employees on email, internet and social media policies.
