{"id":3296,"date":"2017-02-15T08:46:56","date_gmt":"2017-02-15T08:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/?p=3296"},"modified":"2025-09-23T15:02:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T13:02:27","slug":"strategy-improve-workplace-productivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/strategy-improve-workplace-productivity\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Questions Leaders Ask Themselves to Improve Workplace Productivity"},"content":{"rendered":"

How do you know if what you\u2019re working on right now is really adding value to the bottom line of your business?<\/p>\n

When management fails to set clear, strategic objectives and monitor the organisation\u2019s focus as a whole, teams run the risk of chasing misaligned priorities and costing the company money.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re focusing on the wrong kind of productivity \u2014 and, in turn, the wrong kind of management,\u201d says Ryan Fuller from Harvard Business Review. \u201cIt turns out that enterprise productivity is different than just the sum of personal productivity.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Today, it\u2019s more than just using the latest productivity tips or quick hacks within your team.<\/p>\n

Businesses need to develop a holistic productivity mindset, one that will ensure the most important revenue generators are chased down continuously.<\/p>\n

To ensure that the investment of time and effort from employees will directly correlate with company priorities, you need to implement productivity principles into the blueprint of your business.<\/p>\n

Answer these four questions today and gain actionable insight you can integrate into your organisation tomorrow:<\/p>\n

1. What are your quarterly, annual, and five-year goals?<\/h4>\n

Why:<\/strong> Writing things down is powerful. When you document and distribute your company strategy to all stakeholders involved in your business, individuals are not only held accountable to working on projects that move your business towards those goals, but also feel empowered with the authority to act in more productive and aligned ways. It is important to have defined goals<\/a> as they will remind the team of why they do what they do and provide them with a strong form of motivation – purpose.<\/p>\n

How:<\/strong> Create a One-Page-Strategic-Plan (OPSP). This simple yet powerful tool will summarise the vision of the organisation and create a cohesive format for all teams to work from.<\/p>\n

Individuals or organisations with too many priorities have no priorities and risk spinning their wheels and accomplishing nothing of significance. In turn, laser-focusing everyone on a single priority \u2014 today, this week, this quarter, this year, and the next decade \u2014 creates clarity and power throughout the organisation.\u201d \u2015 Verne Harnish<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Which employee feedback system does your business use to boost productivity?<\/h4>\n

Why:<\/strong> Formalising the processes and tools by which team members are able to constantly seek and offer rich, quantitative feedback will have an immeasurable impact on the overall productivity<\/a> of your organisation.<\/p>\n

How:<\/strong> Structure a meeting system that maintains a balance between short-term and long-term priorities. Schedule daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual meetings that involve teams, individuals and management leaders.
\nHeard of a Daily-Stand-Up<\/em>?
\nEvery day, at the same time, hold a short meeting, in a different location to your desk, with your team. During the meeting each team member answers the following three questions:<\/p>\n