A great team is undoubtedly the mainstay of organisational success. Not surprisingly, business owners are willing to invest in hiring the best resources and spending on training, development, and long-term retention. The aim is to maximise their productivity, efficiency, and performance to get the most out of them. But high-performing teams require careful selection and cultivation along with powerful leadership. While there isn’t a proven formula to ace team productivity, you can take some actionable steps to get things moving in the right direction. Here are some tips to go the extra mile to build a productive team for your company.
recruit skilled and reliable staff
Hiring the right resources is the best place to start when it comes to building a productive team for your company. Of course, you must look for self-starters with relevant skills and expertise. But think beyond hard skills, qualifications, and experience when hiring resources. Even if potential employees are fresh in the industry, the right attitude makes up for the lack of experience. Ensure they are reliable enough because you will invest time and resources into these team members in the long run. Also, find good cultural fits because they are more comfortable and confident, and it translates into better productivity and efficiency. Smart hiring choices take you a step ahead, so secure them and do your best to retain them.
establish clear expectation early
After bringing the best talent on board, you must establish clear expectations right from day one. New employees are as good as clean slates, and you can align them to your culture with early guidance. Opening up in the early stage breaks the ice and fosters a sense of belongingness. Give them cues, set ground rules, and communicate expectations explicitly because people want to hear. Think beyond setting milestones and goals for employees, rather provide the insight into the team environment you want to establish. Early expectations are also about communicating values to recruits so that they understand what they need to do.
identify strengths and weaknesses
As a business owner, you must know the strengths and weaknesses of your employees. You can do it by keeping a close watch to notice their inherent talents and skills and identify their hidden challenges and flaws. It enables you to capitalise on their strengths and find ways to overcome their weaknesses. For example, a creative thinker may be the best person to pitch projects to clients, and you can get the most out of their strengths. Consider common weaknesses in team members, and plan training initiatives to address them.
stay on top of communication
Communication streamlines operations and enhances team productivity as it keeps everyone on the same page. Ensure good communication between managers and team members, and also between individuals. It minimises mistakes and misunderstandings and promotes better bonding between people. When everyone walks on the same path, they achieve the goal faster and make fewer errors down the line. Open communication also prevents stress and friction between peers. Encourage people to speak up and train them to develop communication skills as an investment for building a productive team. Share constructive feedback to ensure smooth working.
empower teams with relevant tools
Besides investing in soft skill training, you must empower your teams with relevant tools. Fortunately, you can find endless productivity tools to help employees do more with less, reduce errors, and save time. Apart from generic tools that work for everyone, you can research niche-specific ones. For example, your SEO team can speed up everyday tasks like building and checking backlinks, analysing competitors, and auditing websites with a set of SEO tools as there is a tool for almost every task. Likewise, your sales team can do better with a CRM tool. Do not hesitate to buy these tools for your staff as reducing unnecessary workload makes them more productive.
provide freedom to work
Tools and applications can surely take your team a long way with productivity. But giving people the freedom to follow their way of working is equally crucial. Micromanagement is often counterintuitive as it hinders the workflow and causes stress. In fact, employees often lose interest when they experience too much interference from bosses and managers. You must build a loyal team and trust them enough to give their best. Of course, you should not leave them unmonitored but focus more on output than how they achieve it.
reward good work
Employees love affirmation of their efforts, so rewards and incentives can act as productivity catalysts. You need not worry about rewarding with hefty cash incentives or expensive perks because startups and small businesses can seldom budget for them. Give your employees a word of appreciation every time they achieve a milestone or deliver to expectations. Public appreciation is even better as it motivates others to give their best. Delegating is also a good way to reward people as it lets you get more while incentivising them. For example, you can make a team member the decision-making authority if they are good at something.
create a new work environment
A wholesome work environment also contributes to efficiency and productivity. It can affect how people think, feel, and perform in the workplace. With more and more organisations realising the significance of a positive work environment, the willingness to invest in good infrastructure is increasing. Business owners are more conscious about workplace design to ensure better comfort and ergonomics for team members. For example, a comfortable furniture layout, bright lighting, and a touch of green can boost employee productivity. You must also focus on creating a positive work culture with supportive bosses and managers, better team bonding, and zero office politics. Together, these factors foster a happy and productive workplace.
and finally…
Team productivity can drive your business on the road to growth and profitability. But achieving it requires a strategic approach. You cannot expect people to ace productivity without help. Even the best resources with good intentions may fail to give their best. Do your bit by empowering them with relevant tools, training, and approach. Most importantly, create a healthy work environment and positive work culture that unlocks their efficiency and performance.
Author: Erika Cruz – Content Publisher and Outreach Manager at Outreach Monks
Photo credit: Arlington Research on Unsplash
