Part of a manager's daily responsibilities is keeping employees on task and productive. Several tools – including business productivity programs and database software – can help these executives in that never-ending obligation, but it may also pay off to encourage a handful of strong employee habits.
In a recent piece on Inc.com, project management expert Tony Wong shared some of his tips for a more productive worker. These included a de-emphasis on multitasking, which requires individuals to stretch their capabilities too thin, ultimately hurting the quality of work they produce.
Similarly, Wong suggested that workers should expedite certain tasks by taking the quicker route – long, time-consuming email chains might be resolved more quickly with a phone conversation, for instance. In addition, productive employees should eliminate distractions – many of which are borne of multitasking – and schedule regular breaks to recharge.
While a manager may suggest their employees adopt many of these habits, developing a workplace that maximizes these strategies may be another challenge altogether. After all, short of imposing strict rules to manage workers' time and habits, it can be difficult to monitor if employees are following any of these methods.
As a result, it may be most beneficial for workers and employees to maintain a collaborative dialogue in which both sides work to increase productivity overall. While employees can work on bettering their workplace habits, employers can hold up their end of the bargain by providing employees with the tools they need to succeed.
Custom application development might help businesses plug gaps in productivity with beneficial database software. While many software developing companies offer this service, the best take a consultative approach that identifies weaknesses in existing processes and maximizes their strengths.