Factbox: Four Ways To Boost Business Productivity

Factbox: Four Ways To Boost Business Productivity

Better technology

Technology underpins many of today's business operations, but are companies providing their employees with the best tools to use? A study by Sharp found that almost 40 minutes are wasted per employee per day in UK offices, due to slow or inefficient technology, the equivalent of 167 hours, costing businesses over £2,100 per employee per year.

Source: http://www.sharp.eu/insights/pressrelease/office-workers-waste-more-time-on-slow-tech-than-they-spend-on-holiday/

More flexibility
In the fast-moving pace of today's business world, employers can no longer ignore requests from their staff to adopt a more flexible working pattern, working different hours or from a different location, that fits in better with their lifestyle and needs. Accommodating these requests is likely to result in a better performance from them. A Vodafone survey found that 83% of respondents said adopting flexible working had resulted in improvements in productivity.

Source: www.vodafone.com/content/index/media/vodafone-group-releases/2016/flexible-working-survey.html

Giving something back
Engaging staff in community activities or charitable causes on behalf of their company can deliver a huge boost to morale, engagement and productivity. According to a PwC study and a Gallup poll, respectively, workers in the US put in 57% more effort when they are engaged at work and feel their efforts are going toward something meaningful.

Source: www.pwc.com/m1/en/services/consulting/documents/millennials-at-work.pdf

Closing the skills gap
Skill shortages have been a significant factor in the UK's ongoing productivity issues, with high numbers of employers unable to hire the skilled people their business needs. As highlighted in the Chartered Management Institute's Age of Uncertainty report, employers could give skills and ultimately productivity a boost by attracting more school leavers and graduates to their work experience and internship placements, and showcase the opportunities for career progression and skills development on offer.