The essential checklist for the productivity driven workplace

Any business owner worth their salt is well aware that employee satisfaction is the key to unlocking new levels of productivity within a workplace.

Juggling individuals with different mindsets and skillsets can sometimes be a task, but by following a few simple steps we can all ensure that our team is not only producing great work, but also more of it.

When it comes to unlocking new levels of productivity within a workplace, managing professionals and directors have to juggle with a vast range of different factors. At the baseline, it’s about ensuring that your company vision is not only as ordered as possible, but also that it’s sufficiently communicated to those individuals within your organisation.

When they begin to see the integral part that they personally play in launching the business towards the overall vision, they can begin to feel an enhanced sense of importance and will begin to invest more into their role. They can begin to align their personal goals with the company’s goals.

It’s also important to consider that an adamantine support network is not only in place but sufficiently communicated to your team. By following this simple checklist you can ensure that you are building a productivity driven workplace and forging a clear path for your business.

Office space environmental factors

Is there sufficient natural lighting is your workplace?

Access to sufficient natural light can help increase productivity by reducing eyestrain associated with artificial light. More importantly, exposure to the outside world via windows is proven to increase productivity in employees.

Have steps been taken to maximise clean air?

When we think of pollutants often it’s motorways that spring to mind, however volatile organic compounds are a big issue on the inside. Not only that, it turns out that even common levels of carbon dioxide is enough to affect productivity.

Have steps been taken to minimise or limit common distractions?
Noise and common distractions are a particular issue in modern, open-office scenarios. Cambridge Sound Management has discovered that close to 30% of employees are distracted by conversations and noise from colleagues.

Are employees sufficiently catered for to the extent of your company’s means?
Food and drink is often used as an incentive for employees, from weekly fruit bowls to full blown daily Meals. In the very least, employees should have access to clean water. Borg & Overström’s water systems are efficient, functional and aesthetically beautiful.

Is your office design multi-functional and purpose-driven?

Cluttered, unloved offices are one of the biggest turn-offs and distractions for employees. An productivity-driven office needs to be designed with company culture and purpose in mind, providing multi-functional space that react to employee’s needs.

Company cultural factors

Are employees sufficiently motivated?
Motivation comes in a variety of different ways, including attitude and goal alignment, opportunities for development, team bonding, and developing a feeling of ownership towards the company.

Are employees able to work flexibly to the company’s means?
The productivity-driven workplace offers a flexible variety of working options for employees. While many companies now offer monthly remote working allowances, within the workplace this means ensuring employees are not always confined to their desks. They have access to different areas in the office within the company’s means that reflect the needs of each specific task.

Have steps been taken to leverage fun in the workplace?
Fun is a serious aspect of productivity as it directly relates to happiness. Statistically, happier employees are far more productive than their counterparts.

Have realistic time expectations been communicated?
Realistic time expectations come from understanding when your employees are naturally at the most and least productive throughout the day, week and year. Interestingly, productivity in the summer months can drop by up to 20%, so be aware when planning projects.

Management factors

Has the company vision been sufficiently communicated?
Vision is one of the most important aspects of the productivity-driven workplace. This is where employees will decide, whether subconsciously or consciously whether to physically invest in your company or not. Ensure it is both rock-solid and well communicated.

Is there a clear support structure for employees?
At the very least, managers should be approachable and always communicating with employees. Being open to discuss ideas, tasks and issues is integral. When employees feel supported they are naturally more productive.

Are management regularly integrated into the team?
When management regularly integrate themselves into the day-today work within an organisation at all levels not only do employees begin to feel more understood, but they personally can begin to manage from a position of better understanding of each role.

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