Last week, we had an article on the Top 10 Productivity Killers in the Workplace. Today, we have recommendations for how your employees can avoid wasting time at work and increase their productivity:
Organize and prioritize – De-clutter your workspace and clearly lay out your work plans for the week. What do you need to accomplish each day? How much time will each project take? Which projects have the highest priority.
Limit interruptions – Incoming calls and co-workers dropping by to chat about their weekend can break your concentration and gobble up precious time. If it’s a problem, ask your employer to block off a conference room to work on a project to avoid distractions at your desks. Read e-mails at intervals instead of opening each one as soon as it comes in.
Avoid unnecessary meetings – Don’t set aside an hour to meet about an issue or initiative that can be addressed with a quick phone call. Politely decline the meeting invitation and follow up with the organizer.
Get personal on your own time – Whether you want to call a friend, take advantage of an online saleo or post a picture of your dog on your social profile, do it during your lunch hour, break time, or after work.
Communicate wisely – Don’t spend 20 minutes crafting an e-mail to the person sitting in the next cubicle. Save time by walking over to your colleague’s desk. Or if they are in another part of the office, just call them. You can get through a conversation a lot faster than typing an e-mail.
Don’t delay the inevitable – Finding other things to do so you can put off a less preferred project will only end up wasting more time. Don’t procrastinate. Dive in and tackle the task at hand.
Want customized advising on improving productivity at your workplace?
Contact us to talk to one of our consultants. Learn more about what can be done at your specific workplace, and get assistance with developing a more productive workplace culture.
Michelle Cheuk has her B.A. in Sociology from Wellesley College and M.A. in Sociology/Demography from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. At UBF, she is focused on marketing, business development, and project management. In her spare time, she enjoys parenting, going to the gym, and volunteering.
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