Increased productivity typically equals increased profit. No wonder businesses worldwide do their best to boost productivity levels. If they lay the foundation for increased productivity, they might notice a much healthier bottom line. However, coming up with ways to increase output can be challenging. If you’re looking for out-of-the-box methods you haven’t tried, you might find them in this article.
Don’t Dismiss People With Criminal Records
Many business owners perform criminal record checks through leading providers like Triton Canada. Doing so can provide insight into a job applicant’s background and shed light on convictions, arrest warrants, and charges. You can then make a fully informed decision when you have all the information you need.
Some employers see a criminal record and immediately put the applicant in the ‘no’ pile. However, you might not be so hasty if you knew that hiring people with criminal records might see you enjoying increased productivity.
Some studies have found that workers with criminal convictions were 1.1% more productive than employees without them. The survey by Evolv included around 8,000 people – 7,000 without criminal records and 1,000 with them. While more data is needed for a more robust study, the results are promising.
Prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
There are many reasons to prioritize workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). DEI is known to boost innovation and creativity, which can often equate to incredible ideas. However, DEI might also result in increased productivity.
Company culture is essential to a positive work culture. When you feel valued and respected, you’re likely going to put in more effort for your company. Some studies have found that companies with diverse and inclusive teams are 33% more likely to see above-average profits. If you haven’t made hiring decisions based on DEI, now might be the right time to consider it.
Let Your Employees Work Remotely
As challenging as it can be to send your employees home with a laptop and let them get to work, your bank balance might thank you for it. Research from 1,000 remote and hybrid employees in the United States showed that remote employees worked more and were more productive. Remote workers also made substantial savings by not having to commute and led happier, healthier lives.
Business owners struggle to balance employee happiness and productivity, so remote work could be the answer. If you’re able to let your employees work from home, consider it a valid option for their happiness and your bottom line.
Get Rid of the 9-5 Grind
The 9-5 grind has been our way of life for as long as most of us can remember. However, doing something a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the only way to do it. You might be able to transform your workplace productivity by saying goodbye to traditional working hours. This can mean that instead of making your team start at 9am or earlier and working to 5pm or later, they can pick the hours they know they’ll be the most productive.
For some employees, that will mean starting their day at 6am and finishing earlier to get the most out of the day. For others, it will involve starting later and working late into the evening. While changing work hours can be challenging for customer-facing businesses, it’s entirely possible for many B2B companies.
According to the International Labour Organization, flexible working hours can benefit businesses, their productivity levels, and employees’ work-life balance. The ILO study also found that longer working hours were associated with lower unit labor productivity, while shorter working hours were linked with higher productivity. Exploring studies to find out about optimal working hours might provide your business with an exciting opportunity to adjust your working hours and reap the rewards.
Keep Your Employees Happy
You might not think it’s your job to keep your employees happy. After all, as long as they get the work done, that’s all that matters. However, you might be surprised just how much your employees are able to achieve if they’re happy. An extensive UK study into happiness and productivity revealed that workers are 13% more productive when they’re happy. They don’t work more hours; they simply use their time better.
As challenging as it sounds to keep your employees satisfied, it might be much easier than you think. Flexible work hours, building a positive work environment, and offering benefits might help. You might also encourage breaks, value communication, and prioritize learning and development. Worker happiness starts at the top, so focus on these things at a high level, and the benefits might trickle down.
Boosting productivity isn’t always just about providing the best technology and automating as many tasks as possible. It’s also about looking at the research to learn the type of people who can be the most productive and what you can do to improve worker conditions. The more proactive you are in making significant changes, the more financial advantages you might enjoy.
