Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. Over three million small businesses in the country contribute to the economy. They hire millions of Americans and give trillions of dollars to the country’s GDP.
However, half of these businesses don’t succeed in the long run. There are various reasons for this. One of the most predominant is the lack of working capital.
Working capital is the lifeblood of any business. It is the money that a company uses to pay for its daily expenses, such as rent, utilities, inventory, salaries, and other operational costs. Without working capital, a business will quickly run into financial trouble and may even have to close its doors.
Another reason is that many small businesses don’t have a solid plan or business model. They may have a great product or service, but they don’t know how to market it or sell it to customers.
Still, others don’t have the right team in place. They may not have the right mix of employees or skills to grow their business.
Lastly, there’s productivity. Productivity is a more complex and dynamic concern, unlike the other two listed above. Here’s what you need to know about productivity and how to improve it.
What is Productivity?
Productivity measures how efficiently resources are being used to generate output. In the case of businesses, productivity is typically measured by how much revenue or profit a company generates per employee.
For example, if a business employs ten people and generates $100,000 in revenue, its productivity would be $10,000 per employee. However, if that same business only generated $50,000 in revenue, its productivity would drop to $5,000 per employee.
How to Improve Productivity?
There are many ways to improve productivity in the workplace. But here are some of the most common but effective ways:
Benefits
Employees are no longer just seeking salary. They are now seeking improved benefits. One benefit they seek out is dental benefits.
Dental Benefits
Dental problems are the leading cause of presenteeism and absenteeism in the office. Cavities and tooth loss are the country’s two most common dental problems. One way to fix this problem is by offering dental benefits. These benefits can include tooth replacement services which can deal with tooth loss, especially among senior employees. These services provide not just the cosmetic fix that patients are looking for but also the functional one. It uses implants that are made of biocompatible titanium material. The success rates for dental implants are quite high, and they can last a lifetime with the proper care.
On the other hand, dental cleaning services can decrease the chances of cavities. It does it by removing tartar, which is a hardened form of plaque.
Another benefit that can make employees work harder is life insurance.
Life Insurance
Life insurance is another benefit that employees seek. It gives them peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones will be taken care of financially in case something happens to them.
There are two types of life insurance: term life and whole life. Term life is the most common and covers you for a specific period, usually 20 or 30 years. On the other hand, whole life covers you for your entire life but has a higher premium.
No matter which type of life insurance you choose, make sure that it has a death benefit of at least ten times your annual salary.
Incentives
Incentives are a great way to improve productivity in the workplace. They motivate employees to work harder and be more efficient. Incentives can include bonuses, paid time off, and even company-wide trips.
The right incentives will vary from company to company. But the key is to find what works for your employees and offer it to them.
Better Communication
Communication is another critical aspect of productivity. Poor communication can lead to errors, miscommunication, and even conflict.
To improve communication, start by holding regular meetings. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that tasks are correctly assigned. You should also encourage open communication by creating an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up.
Lastly, make sure to document everything. This includes decisions, processes, and even conversations. This will help avoid confusion and miscommunication down the line.
Better Managers
Many employees leave their workplace because of their managers. Studies show that bad managers are the first reason people quit their jobs.
To be a good manager, you must motivate, inspire, and lead your team. You should also be able to delegate tasks and give feedback.
If you’re not sure how to be a good manager, there are plenty of resources out there that can help you. There are also management training programs that can teach you the necessary skills.
The Bottom Line
Productivity is important for any business. It’s what drives growth and helps businesses achieve their goals. If you want to improve productivity in your workplace, start by implementing some of the tips listed above.
