One of the most important success metrics for any business is how productive the business’s staff members are. With wages and salaries often making up the biggest chunk of business expenses, it’s crucial to maximise the return on that investment. And, with business looking ahead on their road to recovery, one of the most reliable ways to improve employee productivity will be to provide a smart workplace.
Most businesses are, by now, using digital tools to streamline business process. And, many businesses would consider themselves on a path to digital transformation. There is no shortage of digital technologies that can literally transform workplaces to make them smarter and more productive. However, many business decision-makers still need to be convinced that their investment in these technologies will pay off in a tangible way. Or, they’re not sure which technologies will provide maximum benefit for their organisation. It’s important to start with a clear understanding of exactly how and where the organisation can be made smarter so that businesses can see measurable improvements right away.
There are five key ways that a smart business can improve employee productivity:
- Deeper engagement
Engaged employees are inherently more productive. By providing new technologies that are enjoyable to use and make people’s jobs easier, organisations can gain deeper engagement from their employees. - Less tedious work
Automating tedious, repetitive, manual tasks can free up employees to spend more time on creative challenges that make them feel fulfilled. It also means that they can contribute meaningfully to strategic growth instead of simply getting a quota of work done each day. - Fewer bottlenecks
Smart workflows that keep documents moving throughout the business and remind people when it’s their turn to act can help remove bottlenecks. Instead of managers facing a pile of paperwork that needs to be signed and approved, they can receive that paperwork digitally, along with regular reminders to review and approve documents. Being able to review and approve them using mobile devices can mean managers can become more productive and clear the paperwork backlog even when they’re not physically in the office. - Easier mobility
Since the advent of smart phones and ubiquitous connectivity, knowledge workers have embraced the ability to work from anywhere. Businesses that facilitate this need for mobility will see employees get through more work without necessarily having to be in the office. And, by providing tools that make it even easier to be productive on the go, organisations can make sure employees can get the flexibility they crave while still being productive. This is particularly critical as more employees may demand more flexibility post COVID-19 and business may look to reduce overheads by having a more remote workforce. - Improved comfort
A smart business doesn’t just refer to the digital tools used for work tasks. It can also refer to the physical environment. Using smart technology, businesses can automatically adjust lighting and air conditioning, for example, to create an environment conducive to maximum productivity. For example, changing the quality of the light in the mid-afternoon can help workers avoid the slump in productivity that typically happens right after lunch.
By creating the best possible environment for people to feel comfortable and alert, then providing them with state-of-the-art tools to help them do their jobs more efficiently and with fewer errors, businesses can gain maximum productivity. As well as getting essential work done faster, organisations can redeploy talented staff members to focus on creative and strategic tasks, which can promote company growth.
Seth Butcher, national manager IT solution sales, Konica Minolta
