Why is increasing productivity important?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
There are several reasons why increasing workplace productivity is important. These include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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- Financial benefit<\/strong>. Increasing your total output provides an opportunity for financial gain. Higher production means you can make more sales and drive higher revenues.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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- Better decision-making<\/strong>. Employee productivity levels are a metric against which you can assess team performance. Monitoring performance can inform investment decisions and may help identify processes that need to be optimized.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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- Higher motivation<\/strong>. It\u2019s much more motivating to be involved in a team that\u2019s delivering for the business than it is to be stuck making a limited contribution. Watching your team\u2019s productivity level grow \u2014 for example, through process improvement or team collaboration \u2014 can offer a significant boost to employee motivation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
Get started with monday.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Top productivity challenges and how to beat them<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
So now that we\u2019re clear on why labor productivity is important, it\u2019s worth discussing what can get in the way of productivity gains.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Here are our 5 top productivity improvement challenges and what to do about them:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1. Maintaining motivation<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
We\u2019re all human, and it\u2019s almost impossible to remain motivated 100% of the time. \u00a0Motivation is highest when it\u2019s clear how what we\u2019re doing contributes to a goal that\u2019s important to us.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Motivation is reduced when work feels mundane or when we can\u2019t see how we\u2019re making a difference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It\u2019s important for team leaders and managers to share the organizational vision with every worker. Make sure your team understands the \u2018golden thread\u2019 \u2014 that\u2019s how their work directly contributes to the bigger picture.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Get to know your team and encourage them to use language that matches their values. For those with a competitive nature, encourage them to beat their productivity levels month on month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
2. Ignoring distractions<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Productivity is about output over a period of time. If there\u2019s less time, it\u2019s going to be way harder to increase productivity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Distractions eat into the time you have available to get work done. In fact, distractions \u2014 such as emails and phone calls \u2014 \u00a0were stated as the top 3<\/a>\u00a0things that get in the way of work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Bar](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Distractions.png\" "\\"Top")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(Image Source<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
And it\u2019s not just social media scanning or office gossip that can prove distracting. \u00a0As shown above, wasteful meetings can eat up precious work hours every day, making them a significant factor in labor productivity levels.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
When you\u2019re organizing a meeting, consider who really needs to be there, whether the meeting time could be reduced, or whether the issue could be solved outside of a formal meeting environment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If a meeting is necessary, batch topics that need to be tackled together and keep a strict agenda so that you don\u2019t waste time heading down the proverbial rabbit hole.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
And don\u2019t be too harsh on those caught having a giggle over the latest Tik Tok video. Scheduling breaks where team members can relax and refuel can boost productivity, enabling them to return to work refreshed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. Navigating inefficient processes<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Like other distractions, fighting to understand an inefficient process can be a serious time suck. If processes are overly complex, obsolete, or don\u2019t make sense, they can hamper even the most productive person.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
33% <\/a>of respondents in a recent study said better processes would be the single most effective way to improve overall productivity. For those nodding along while reading point 2, it\u2019s worth sharing that over 20% wanted fewer meetings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Bar](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/pasted-image-0-37.png\" "\\"Ways")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(Image Source<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Inefficient processes are actually a 2-fold issue.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Firstly, time is wasted trying to understand how to navigate the process, who to speak to, what documentation is required, and what action needs to be taken, and when.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Secondly, banging your head against a bureaucratic brick wall is pretty demotivating. Which leads us back to point 1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
As a team leader, do what you can to review and simplify your processes. If process improvement is new to you, we\u2019ve got a handy article<\/a>\u00a0that steps you right through it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If you don\u2019t own the process and those who do aren\u2019t receptive to changing it, don\u2019t make people battle it alone. Get more experienced team members to support those who are newer to the process, saving time and increasing employee collaboration while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Poor collaboration between teams<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
While we\u2019re on the subject of collaboration, when done poorly, it can have a significant effect on productivity levels.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Perhaps while you\u2019ve been despairing over a nonsensical process, you realize that part of the issue is that teams aren\u2019t working effectively together.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This could be for a number of reasons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Maybe the ways of working or cultures don\u2019t match, and the team leaders are always butting heads over how something is done.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Maybe the business performance metrics encourage team competition rather than collaboration.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Encouraging cross-functional collaboration is vital for increasing productivity. Not only does it improve processes and help maintain motivation, but it can also build organizational learning. Higher productivity teams and individuals can support or mentor others to improve.<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. Doing the wrong things<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Putting effort into the wrong things isn\u2019t strictly a productivity challenge. But, it\u2019s worth mentioning as it can seriously affect the bottom line.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Successful businesses are good at 2 things: doing the right things and doing things right.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
And, while doing things right will certainly improve your productivity, it\u2019s all for naught if you\u2019re not doing the things that matter to your mission, your stakeholders, and your customers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
As we said at the beginning, productivity is not the same as busyness. Everything being done should align with your business goals and either add value or clearly support something that does.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
At the team level, get really clear on what your key performance indicators<\/a>\u00a0are and why.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If it\u2019s not obvious how they contribute to the wider business, share that with senior management so they can take steps to address it.<\/p>\r\n
Get started<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Productivity FAQs<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Let\u2019s now take a look at a few of the most frequently asked questions about productivity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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- How should I measure productivity at a corporate level? <\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
You need to make sure your productivity measure is comparing apples with apples. Tracking productivity trends, such as the change in a team\u2019s total output over time, is the best way to judge if their productivity\u2019s improving.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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- Who\u2019s responsible for productivity in an organization?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
At a senior management level, someone like the Director of Operations will be responsible for managing and monitoring the overall economic output of the business.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Of course, to maximize productivity, the responsibility also needs to sit at a team and individual level with all employees engaged and striving to improve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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- Which is more important \u2014 productivity or efficiency? <\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Both increased productivity and improved efficiency are valuable measures that provide insight into your business operations. Just be clear about which you\u2019re measuring and why to ensure you get the data you need to drive decision-making.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How monday.com keeps you and your team productive<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
As a Work OS, monday.com can help you manage your entire business operation. So, if you\u2019re facing one of the productivity challenges we\u2019ve highlighted, monday.com is guaranteed to be able to help.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Consider motivation<\/strong>. monday.com\u2019s comprehensive reporting capabilities offer your team all the transparency they need for measuring productivity and understanding how their output contributes to wider organizational goals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Which is also a great mechanism to check that you\u2019re doing the right things<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Colorful](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/18YFFoYqq0SnbODmNFdFohF5mjOv6FcFNR7EKtBIjHTxfVZcPovizSfbmEVbz8KXdzQK17XxBpG1w23mHnEcRWNxBm0PY76SQo2O0OycTPWTglIwOnA5FzDrqGGfwIKwng.png\" "\\"Reporting")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPlus, for those who are motivated by a little healthy competition, it\u2019s easy to compare productive factors and overall productivity across teams and individuals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
And, we have 1,000s of automation recipes that reduce the mundane, repetitive work that can be frustrating and demotivating for your team \u2014 leaving them free to contemplate how to maximize their output and boost their productivity levels.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Multiple](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/0X841EZ3nf3GTy0HQiprcNT71TciU8F3g71v342XFHOscvBhtgIhAQht_jU4dUSHL9qTbrm_wE7qo5Ntdj8eSGFmLzhwmZ5ceLj01REbQ2Lj7VB7VO52il0iYwdq6x_iCA.png\" "\\"Automation")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nmonday.com is also amazing in supporting effective collaboration<\/strong>. It\u2019s simple to view, share, and annotate documents or @tag colleagues for their input.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Plus, you can connect with colleagues either in-platform or through integrations with tools you probably already use, such as Slack or Zoom.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
And, with such easy and effective ways to communicate, you might find your need for formal meetings reduces, which is key for helping your team minimize distractions<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
On days when meetings really are necessary, monday.com\u2019s colorful and intuitive dashboards make it easy to plan work around them. Check deadlines, flag priorities using status columns, and assign resources to tasks with a single click.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"monday.com](\"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/0T4gp02K6fYmb20we-G-AbSC-W2-WRgD1kg5_MzPKnCfrm0KQM341G7uRydKWnOPh6QpQrMQmp4tFYtJX01HabcqEKLSR2RZr-DdcbQ-WKbNBiK3MY60mJEuQ65bv0pfFw.png\" "\\"Prioritizing")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPlus, like pretty much everything in monday.com, our dashboards are fully customizable, and our drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to build a workflow that suits how you like to work. This means efficient processes<\/strong>\u00a0really are in your future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Stay productive<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Keeping an eye on your productivity levels is important for maximizing your business operations. Knowing which teams are most productive and why can help with investment decisions and identify opportunities for process improvement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In this article, we\u2019ve discussed what productivity is, 5 challenges you might face when trying to increase productivity, and shown how monday.com helps you overcome them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Why not get started today with our fully customizable work calendar<\/a>?<\/p>\r\n
- Which is more important \u2014 productivity or efficiency? <\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
- Who\u2019s responsible for productivity in an organization?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
- How should I measure productivity at a corporate level? <\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
- Higher motivation<\/strong>. It\u2019s much more motivating to be involved in a team that\u2019s delivering for the business than it is to be stuck making a limited contribution. Watching your team\u2019s productivity level grow \u2014 for example, through process improvement or team collaboration \u2014 can offer a significant boost to employee motivation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Better decision-making<\/strong>. Employee productivity levels are a metric against which you can assess team performance. Monitoring performance can inform investment decisions and may help identify processes that need to be optimized.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n