Interesting ways to boost workplace productivity

With all sorts of devices and applications constantly vying for our attention, staying focused on the task at hand can become difficult. Helping your employees to do so can be trickier still, but we’ve got some exciting news for you – it can actually be a lot of fun! Here are some unusual and refreshingly different ways to boost workplace productivity, have a happier office, and get more work done without even realizing it.

Have a morning ‘huddle’ session

A quick 15-minute meeting at the start of the day to get everyone on the same page is an easy way to shift your employee’s thoughts from their commute, home-life, breakfast, and whatever else has been happening to them earlier in the day to “I’m at work now” thinking. It’s also an opportunity for them to ask for help with any tricky projects they’ve got on their plate for the day or challenges they might be facing. You can throw in a little social banter to encourage communication and empathy between staff members too.

Practice positive reinforcement

Managers are people – worried about meeting targets, getting results, and generally making sure work gets done – and this means we sometimes forget to praise employees who have done a good job or shown improvement. Take a few minutes now and then to make sure you haven’t overlooked someone who went out of their way to help, or who is trying hard to get better at what they do. A few kind words and regular positive reinforcement can make a massive difference, and encourage employees to keep up the effort.

Have a dedicated break area to provide some welcome distraction

When staff members spend time together in a more casual environment and have an area where they can relax a little, communication is improved, bonds are formed, and everyone gets a chance to recharge their batteries a little. You can provide a good environment for this kind of activity right on your premises by spending a little money on a nice break room and encouraging your employees to use it. A pool table and a couple of beanbag chairs are a classic work hangout area idea, but you can work with whatever you have at hand too. Research shows again and again that employees who take breaks are more productive.

Encourage your employees to dress the part

We’ve all heard the expression that you feel good when you look good, and the workplace is no exception. When you look smart and professional, you subconsciously change your behavior to reflect it. Tackling the office dress code might not sound like a whole heap of fun, but the easiest way to get the message across is to lead by example. You can also provide example images of the right kind of attire, or partner with an expert like House of Monatic Corporate Wear to provide hands-on assistance. On the flipside, you can break the mold every now and then to inject some fun into the workplace by allowing staff to wear their slippers on a set day or dress up for Halloween!

Have an end-of-week wind-down

Once the workweek is done, many employees will enjoy the chance to hang out together for an hour or two and get to know each other outside of their job descriptions. End the workday an hour early on a Friday, order in a couple of pizzas, and let anyone who’s feeling like it stick around to chew the fat for a while.

Ask for employee input

Make it clear that you’re always open to suggestions from your staff on ways you can help them boost their own productivity. Sometimes people can be a little shy to bring up an issue that’s hampering their performance – so try your best to be approachable.

Provide healthy snacks

Foods that are high in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins aren’t just good for your waistline, they help keep your blood sugar stable too – and that means better productivity throughout the day. Have some whole-wheat bread and fresh fruit and veggies nicely sliced up on offer so your workers have something healthy to snack on or to stave off the hunger pangs if they’ve left their lunch at home!

Start a weekend sports league or lunchtime walking group

Encouraging your staff to get some fresh air and stretch their legs is a great way to beat the after-lunch slump, so starting a walking group is an excellent idea. If you have enough interest, getting a little weekend sports team together can be a nice way to do some team building and encourage healthy physical activity at the same time. Those who don’t want to participate directly can still act as cheerleaders or scorekeepers, or even bring their kids along for a fun family day out.

Boosting workplace productivity and morale definitely doesn’t have to be a chore, for you or your employees!