| A successful business is a productive business. | | | | Many managers subscribe to the theory that |
| These tips will help you to get the most out of | | | | micro-management is an effective and productive |
| your employees by keeping them happy and | | | | way to oversee their employees. The truth is |
| productive. | | | | studies suggest that micromanaging actually has a |
| 1. Nap Time! | | | | negative impact on employee productivity. |
| Yes I know it sounds incredibly counter-productive | | | | Micromanaging often makes employees feel like |
| to let your employees take a nap, but a study | | | | their boss does not trust them or their work. This |
| done by NASA showed that a nap of just 26 | | | | will lead to a disengagement on the employees |
| minutes can boost performance by as much as | | | | behalf and he will no longer offer suggestions and |
| 34 percent. In fact, studies show that tired | | | | will likely harbor resentment towards his manager. |
| workers cost business about $150 billion a year in | | | | At that point it is only a matter of time before he |
| lost productivity. | | | | moves on to a different company. |
| 2. Set Clear, Defined Goals | | | | If you delegate a project to an employee that |
| Employees are most productive when they have | | | | needs to be finished by lets say, Friday, try |
| clearly defined goals to work towards. Let your | | | | saying “Here is the project please complete it |
| employees have input in what goals their | | | | by Friday and please check in with me if you |
| department should be trying to meet. They can | | | | have any questions or updates.” |
| offer great insight into problems their | | | | Let the employee work out the details of how he |
| departments are facing and the best ways to | | | | wants to accomplish the task and he will be |
| overcome these problems. | | | | happier and more productive. |
| 3. Offer Praise and Rewards | | | | 6. Enhance Your Office Space |
| You may be surprised how far a simple “pat | | | | A 1999 study done by the American Society of |
| on the back” will go with your employees. | | | | Interior Designers entitled “Recruiting and |
| Employees who are told they are doing a good | | | | Retaining Qualified Employees By Design” |
| job have a greater incentive to replicate those | | | | found some very interesting facts. |
| results. | | | | -Employees who were pleased with their physical |
| Establishing some type of reward program can | | | | workplaces were 31% more likely to say they |
| also have a positive influence on productivity. The | | | | were satisfied with their jobs. |
| rewards don’t even have to be large; they | | | | -The physical workplace would impact 41% of |
| can be as simple as a gift certificate to a | | | | employees and job seekers to accept a position. |
| restaurant, employee of the month award or | | | | -The quality of their physical workplace would |
| even an extra day off. All of these rewards can | | | | influence 51% to leave a company. |
| really boost your employee’s incentive to | | | | -Employees ranked aesthetic appearance of their |
| work harder. | | | | workplace second in importance behind only |
| 4. Let Them Stay Home- | | | | monetary compensation and in a virtual second |
| Although this may seem counter-productive as | | | | place tie with company benefits package. |
| well, employees who stay home actually tend to | | | | 73% of employees are not satisfied with their |
| put in longer hours then employees that are on | | | | current offices’ appearance. |
| the clock at the workplace. | | | | Imagine how much more appealing your office |
| A 2008 study done by the Computing | | | | would be if instead of staring up at a blank wall |
| Technology Industry Association found that | | | | your employees could look at a picturesque scene. |
| companies who offer their employees the option | | | | Wall murals are a relatively cheap and effective |
| to telecommute saw increased productivity, lower | | | | way to liven up your office space and can have a |
| costs, improved employee health and improved | | | | tremendous positive impact on your |
| employee retention. | | | | employee’s mood and productivity. |
| • 67 % of the companies polled said | | | | Wall murals have additional benefits because they |
| employees were more productive, largely | | | | also make your office more appealing to potential |
| because they spent less time getting to and from | | | | employees, clients and visitors which can result in |
| work. | | | | a boost to your profit margin. You should make |
| • 59% reported seeing cost savings from | | | | your office space as inviting as possible, I’ve |
| reduced use of office-related materials and | | | | never heard a client say, “Wow their office is |
| resources. | | | | so plain and boring we should definitely do |
| • 39 % said they have access to a more | | | | business with them.” |
| qualified staff, expanding their options to people | | | | Humans are visual creatures what they see in an |
| who are located in - and not willing to relocate | | | | environment can have a direct impact on |
| from - other regions. | | | | decisions they make in that environment. |
| • 37 % said telecommuting improved | | | | Remember your office space plays a huge role in |
| employee retention. | | | | the image your company is projecting. Take a |
| • 25% said employee health was improved, | | | | look around at your office…is it sending the right |
| largely by reducing stress levels associated with | | | | message to your employees and clients? If not |
| the commute. | | | | find ways to improve it and it will improve your |
| 5. Give Employees Freedom Over Their Work | | | | profits and productivity. |