Productivity has long been a core tenet of running a successful business. However, over the years almost no one has put the idea of being an effective business owner into better words than the management legend Peter Drucker, who said that being productive, or effective, is all about "getting the right things done." And that is the aim of this article - to help you understand and implement three core strategies that will allow you to get more productive and efficient work from your employees in the areas of your business that truly matter.
Defining the Endgame
Starting with the end in mind is more than a thought exercise. In today's digital world, where technology and innovation can change the landscape in seconds, not just years, you need to have a true north star to guide your employee's actions. In simple terms, most companies want to grow. But their reasons for growth vary and change the approach they need to take to be truly productive.
To avoid spinning your wheels in the wrong direction, ask yourself what your goals for your company are. Do you want to sell it down the road? Are you looking for profits, plain and simple? Do you care about revenue at all right now or are you looking to grow your user base for your app so you can bring in advertisers? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you understand which actions by employees are truly productive as opposed to "busy work."
Delegation
You can't do everything yourself. You know this, but if you are as busy as most high level business professionals, you are tempted to jump in and make sure it's done right. Avoid this temptation. Ask yourself if any tasks on your list can be done better or faster by someone else on your team.
Furthermore, even if you can do something faster than your employees, you need to understand the true value of your time to the company. If you spend hours cleaning up sales reports, it takes your attention away from the bigger picture. And at the end of the day, your job is to strategize larger growth opportunities for your business, so spend most of your time doing this while delegating everything possible.
Review Sessions
Employees actually like feedback from their managers. It helps them understand what they are doing right and where they can improve. Without guidance, you are introducing more ambiguity in your employees' lives. This can slow them down more than you realize.
Instead of surprise visits to certain departments, put it on the schedule. Make it clear you will be reviewing their results. Having a determined time for meetings and analysis of performance gives a certain rhythm to the daily work of your employees.
Being productive is essential to your business both now and going forward. As technology evolves at more rapid speeds than ever before, you need to hone your ability to make your employees get more done in less time. That way, you can avoid missing out on major chances to get a leg up on the competition. Use the three tips above and review your progress regularly to ensure that not a minute is wasted at your company.
