Productivity gives businesses the momentum to keep moving forward towards greater success, so protecting and nurturing this is vital.

In a small business, or even when working alone, it is essential to ensure that productivity levels remain high to protect the performance of the company but also the happiness of the team.

Here are some simple steps to take that could give productivity a boost:

Take regular breaks

Working through lunchbreaks and into the evening can be seen by some as a sign of commitment, however, analysis has shown that it can achieve quite the opposite.

Regular breaks away from your desk and screen have been found to improve productivity, allowing workers to achieve more in less time.

Regular breaks are also essential to maintaining good mental health and boosting creativity – even better if you combine it with a bit of exercise.

Improve the office environment

A jaded, unwelcoming décor matched with uncomfortable furniture is unlikely to make workers feel valued. An office environment that is calming and ordered lets workers focus and makes them feel good about coming into work. The same applies if you work from home – a cluttered desk shoved into the corner of a messy room is unlikely to inspire confidence and clarity.

Consider decluttering, investing in new furniture and repainting – choosing a colour such as blue, which is linked to improved productivity, or green, which is reputedly relaxing.

Delegate admin tasks

Recognising the need to delegate tasks that are needlessly taking up your time is key to improving productivity in your own business. If you have other office staff more suited to certain tasks, ask them to take them on. If your admin has become a burden on your time a virtual PA can take this on for you.

Training

Improving your skillset is important to moving forward as an individual as well as a business. By widening your skillset you may well find that jobs that have previously been difficult become less labour intensive. Likewise, if you have employees, make sure they are empowered to develop their career and share the responsibility of specialist tasks.

Specialise

Doing what you need to do and doing it well is at the heart of productivity. Instead of attempting to do everything and becoming bogged down by tasks that are too tricky, or outside your specialism, prioritise what you need to do – and let someone else take care of the rest. A virtual PA or a member of staff will be able to help with admin and financial support.

Group tasks together

Working through tasks that need a certain approach or require particular information to be available at the same time will help to condense your time. For example, spend one day a week on the road meeting clients, one day managing accounts and another exploring business leads. By grouping together tasks you might be able to easily identify and handover admin tasks to a virtual PA, allowing you more time to focus on another area.

Outsource

It doesn’t make sense to struggle on alone when specialist companies can quickly take care of part of your workload. Don’t be afraid to outsource; it does not have to be a permanent arrangement and may give your productivity the boost it needs. A virtual PA can offer specialist software, credit control or research support, for example, on a week-by-week basis, or as a one off.

Set clear goals

Knowing exactly what you need to achieve, and when, will help you to sharpen your mind and focus to improve productivity. Map out goals and set out timeframes on paper and keep track of your achievements to monitor how well you are using your time.

Update your equipment or software

Having the right equipment in place to do the job will certainly make it easier. Slow-running PCs and inadequate software will make tasks take twice as long. Invest in the right tools for the job where you can – or ask an outside company for support. Many virtual PAs have specialist software that they can use to support your company.

Do help with ways to boost productivity

New Dawn PA is experienced in implementing processes that aid productivity and can take over tasks such as diary management and invoicing to improve efficiency.

To discuss New Dawn PA working with your company to improve efficiency and to help with ways to boost productivity get in touch.