The average office worker wastes five hours per week, totaling an estimated $15 billion in lost productivity.
At best, slacking off creates a distracting work environment. At worst, it can cause irreversible damage to your business, as well as your reputation.
Are you worried about your office? Then keep reading as we show you how to measure productivity and see how you stack up.
The Productivity Formula
To measure an employee's average productivity, you'll need to follow a simple mathematical equation known as The Productivity Formula.
Don't worry, it's quite easy!
All you'll need to do is divide your total units of output (sales, content created, etc.) by your units of input (hours, dollars spent, etc.).
Tips for Improving Productivity
So, you have the results of The Productivity Formula. Now what?
Changing your workplace's productivity isn't always easy. But we've put together a quick list of things you can do to steer your business in the right direction.
Track Employee Satisfaction
Unhappy employees produce less work, work of a lower quality, or both.
If you're concerned about dissatisfaction, you can take the temperature of your office culture in several ways.
The first step is to send out a general survey. The survey should include a combination of scale-based questions (on a scale of 1-5) and open-ended queries that allow employees an opportunity to elaborate on what they are and aren't happy with, as well as what they'd like to see in the future.
Employee town hall meetings are another great way to let your employees feel heard. Once per month or so, gather your teams to discuss your goals, ideas, and obstacles. Provide plenty of opportunities for direct feedback.
Prioritize Efficiency
No matter what your company does, you should always aim to work smarter, not harder. Think about what resources exist to make your employees' lives easier.
These days, that means relying on digital tools.
Say you're a property manager and you're looking to boost the productivity of your maintenance team. You could use a work Order app to cut down on paperwork, thus giving your team more time in the field.
Consider what your team can do to work smarter.
Abide by Your Own Rules
Always strive to lead by example.
Following your own guidelines demonstrates to your team that you're truly in it together and that accountability matters.
Taking a look in the mirror and examining your own productivity habits isn't always easy, but it can do wonders for your team's morale. Don't be afraid to run The Productivity Formula on yourself every so often to see how you stack up.
How to Measure Productivity and Create a Better Work Environment
Let's recap how to measure productivity of your employees:
You can start by deploying The Productivity Formula to put an exact number on your team's productivity -- just don't forget to include yourself. You'll also want to look at ways in which you can make your workplace a more enjoyable experience, starting with convenience. Last but not least, practice what you preach when it comes to productivity.
We hope these tips on employee productivity measurement will make your life a bit easier. If you're interested in learning more about productivity or office tech, make sure to check back with our blog! Visit the HR and Careers sections of our site right now!
