Productivity isn’t an open and shut case like the bosses of yesteryear used to think. Asking staff members to sit behind their desks and quietly do as they are told isn’t going to get any traction in a modern office. Employees are too entitled to stand for anything less than equality.
For plenty of managers, this makes the area a sticky subject. Make the wrong move at the wrong time and the workforce might break free of your silky grip. One thing which is clear is that the old-school techniques no longer work.
Today, maintaining high levels of output is about being creative and thinking outside of the box.
Nap Time
Only children take naps in the afternoon to make sure they aren’t cranky later on in the day. Adults have to power through and grind their way to the end of the day. The problem with this is the lack of a break. Regular pauses in the workday are fantastic motivators because they recharge workers. A nap is the best tactic of all as a thirty-minute power snooze prevents workers from slacking off at the end of the day. There is even a bed desk. Check out https://competition.adesignaward.com/ if you’re a non-believer.
What’s That Smell?
Offices are bland and clean smelling. Homes, on the other hand, have fruity aromas or tangy scents wafting from the kitchen. The latter might not seem effective in the workplace but they remind people of cozy, comfortable surroundings. As soon as this happens, they relax and fall into a peaceful yet productive routine. According to www.aromatechsystems.com/, it’s because the smell can impact 75% of a person’s emotions. Sautéed onions might be too far, but there’s nothing wrong with zesty air fresheners to stop the air from going stale. Open a window, also, to let the scents from the street into the office.
Bring Your Pet To Work Day
Having hundreds of cats and dogs wandering around the office might encourage people to lack concentration. However, a study out of Japan found it did the opposite. By adding felines to the workplace, the workers were relaxed and didn’t suffer from stress as acutely. Having a familiar pet to pat during the day would be cathartic for the majority of the staff. Plus, there is the social element. Mixing pets mean their owners are likely to converse, too, which is good for teamwork. Just avoid anything dangerous, like a snake.
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Cut Down The Day
Working fewer hours seems counterproductive yet Sweden trialed it a few years ago and it worked. For example, there was a 10% decrease in sick leave according to www.theguardian.com/. Less time off for employees means there isn’t as much downtime so the company isn’t wasting its resources. The trial in Gothenburg was six hours per day, which might be a little excessive. Still, the normal 40 hour week is also high so somewhere in the middle is a smart move.
What weird ways do you think might boost the business’ output?