You’re not alone
There’s a host of software and tech out there that can help you be more productive throughout your day. For one, your recruitment software should always be working with you to save time, cut down on admin and make your job easier. In addition, other tech products such as RescueTime can help. It sits in your browser and monitors exactly where you spend your day and for how long. Recording your activity you’ll be able to find out how much time you’ve spent responding to emails, or searching on LinkedIn or browsing Facebook. You never think you spend much time on these things, but once the data is stacked up at the end of the day, it might tell you a different story, and awareness is the key to change. Your database should also be working to keep you efficient. Access Recruitment CRM is built to spend less time on admin, has intuitive design and with easy drag and drop functions, gets everything done quicker.
Lead the pack
As manager of a team they will always respond to your behavior more than the things you say. If your desk is messy and you’re in a constant state of chaos, it won’t inspire your team to get organised and productive. It’s a real simple one, but extremely effective. Manage your deadlines, stick to meetings and get your house in order and you’ll be setting the best example.
Ditch the meetings
Well, maybe not all of them, but assess how much time you’re spending in meetings and then cut it in half. Even if that’s by shaving off ten minutes of every meeting. While catch ups and one-on-ones are important, if you’re catching up with every member of your team every week, that’s half your week, and theirs, gone in meetings. Try to communicate more information via email and save the meetings for the really vital stuff.
Schedule away time
Productivity doesn’t happen every minute of every day, and scheduling in breaks is just as important. And by break we mean getting up and getting away from desks and technology. Take your team out for a coffee, or a walk or even a team tea break in the kitchen. Talk about weekend plans, the latest match or what’s going on in the news, anything but work. It refocuses everyone’s energy and works wonders. Plus, a break instigated by a manager is always more effective as it allows people to truly switch off instead of feeling like you’re sneaking away for a break.
Draw a finish line
Regardless of how people like to work, everyone likes to work towards something. Set goals and tangible targets for your team so they’re constantly in cycles of achievements. This might be setting smaller daily goals that work towards the bigger monthly targets as it helps people stay on track and productive throughout the days. Sometimes those big monthly targets feel out of reach and we all need help breaking it down. In addition, make it clear what your targets are, and set some team goals. Working aimlessly becomes difficult and focusing your team’s attention in the right places will get productivity soaring.
It’s never an easy ride, but keep enforcing productive habits and you’ll find your team begin to work together like a well-oiled machine as productivity per head becomes a less scary conversation in the monthly management meetings.
Download the Agency Guide to Productivity and discover how marginal gains can increase profits and fuel growth.