03/ 21/ 2007
Want to boost productivity in your small business? Whatever you want to do--increase daily output, engage more customers, achieve higher results--use this potpourri of a dozen productivity-boosting tools to get started:
- Benchmarks. When you're trying to achieve high-impact goals, get some productivity statistics from other industries or your trade association and use them as benchmarks for your own performance. Regularly measure your team against these benchmarks.
- Coaching. Which individuals on your team can benefit from one-to-one guidance? Make it a point to spend at least a few minutes of quality time with these individuals each day and help them make their productivity soar.
- Energy. Resolve to turn your workplace into a creative, high-energy environment. Each day, demonstrate that you value new ideas and achievement, and help your people focus high-intensity time and effort on the things that matter.
- Goals. Productivity, in the end, is all about reaching new heights. So set some ambitious but reachable goals
- Ideas. Aim for a great "idea of the day." The point: Spend some time reading and thinking about small innovations you can make in your workplace. Suggest these to the people around you.
- Incentives. Link financial and intangible incentives to top-notch productivity. Let your team know what you're seeking and then commit yourself to help each member of your team achieve as much as possible.
- Modeling. One of the best ways to build a commitment to top productivity among the people around you is to display the characteristics of productivity, such as commitment and high-impact effort, yourself.
- Numbers. What do you want to achieve? Answer this question statistically. Set numerical goals and begin to measure them. Share the results with your people, and engage them in a numbers review regularly.
- Planning. Involve all of your people in a systematic planning exercise designed to boost high achievement. Lay out the productivity goals you want to achieve, and let the team identify the obstacles--and the steps to take to overcome those obstacles.
- Recognition. When you notice a great achiever, be sure others recognize him as well. Make liberal use of public thanks and awards.
- Speed. Start a "fast-track" program or "speed contest"--activities that encourage your people to pack immense accomplishments in a short period, such as two days or a week.
- Tools. Make a list of the tools that might help you boost productivity. These could include furniture and equipment, software, training and organizational products. Make it a point to introduce a few high-impact tools in the months ahead and watch productivity rise.
There are days when we could all use a boost in our productivity. When you see that boost needed in your small-business employee, use one of the ideas listed here and watch for results. You may be surprised.
