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Productivity equals profit. The more effectively you deploy resources, the better your margins become. That added efficiency eventually falls to the bottom line.

It may seem like you have reached the limit of your employee output. But that could be an illusion. Most teams have a long way to go.

For instance, one study showed that most employees only really reach a little more than a third of their capacity. For a normal 8-hour workday, the numbers indicate that, on average, workers only really get things done for the equivalent of 2 hours and 53 minutes.

Imagine what you could do if you bumped that up to a full 8 hours? Even 3 hours would be an improvement.

But how do you make progress on productivity? It can be a sensitive issue. You need to inspire your workers and set appropriate goals. Here are a few specific steps you can take to improve your team’s productivity.

Communicate Expectations

Sometimes, employees don’t meet expectations for a very good reason: they don’t know what they are. If that’s the case, you can’t act disappointed. Your team members can’t excel when they don’t know what’s required of them.

Solve this problem by clearly stating the metrics you’ll use to judge performance. Track progress and schedule regular review sessions. This way, you can make adjustments as you go.

Set More Aggressive Targets

Establishing goals requires a little finesse. You want deadlines and output quotas to remain feasible. However, you also want to push your team to excel.

That means setting aggressive targets. Don’t overdo it. Create a standard that’s too hard to obtain and you’ll just undermine morale. But a perfectly calibrated objective can drive that little extra effort you need.

Stay Motivated Yourself

Set a good example. You can’t expect your team to become hard-driving success addicts if you don’t establish the tone. Give up those two-hour lunches and early departures on Friday. Don’t expect your employees to put in more hours than you do.

At the same time, get the most out of the effort you give. Look for ways to achieve your goals more efficiently. Then, you can share these tips with your team. In this way, your productivity upgrades will have a multiplying impact as everyone implements them.

Provide Necessary Support

Are those 5-year-old computers starting to slow down? Do your workers have to take an extra 10 minutes at lunch because the clunky microwave takes too long? Do your team members waste time with unrelated tasks?

Productivity isn’t just about people. It’s also about the tools they use. Make sure your workers have the right equipment to succeed. In addition, pay for supplemental support staff as needed. That way, your skilled employees can concentrate on their most profitable roles.

Build an Exceptional Team

A productive team knows what to do and how to do it most efficiently. That involves having the right people in place. When you have top talent, increased productivity happens almost automatically.

But how do you find the best employees? A top staffing agency, like PrideStaff, can help. They can locate the workers you need to take your operations to the next level.

Contact PrideStaff Bend today to learn more.

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