Ways to Increase Workplace Productivity
http://www.articlegrow.com/Ways-to-Increase-Workplace-Productivity/a10481_1
Jeannine
By Jeannine
Published on 04/12/2009
If you're one of those "water cooler workers", then you might want to read this before dishing any company or co-worker dirt.
Ways to Increase Workplace Productivity - Page 2 of 2
Here are a few things I took away that have not only helped me but made punching a clock not as dreaded as it once was.
1. Down time. There are still some of us that have more of this than we like to publicly speak of. If this is the case, realize that you are being watched and this will not be forever. Make good on this by doing something constructive around the office. If you are not inclined to do something that may benefit your employer but yourself instead, make sure you do it quietly and it is something that is likely to have tangible results (i.e. going online to check out classes or other resources for a career change/upgrade as opposed to celebrity gossip sites or a friends' MySpace page).
2. Communication. If something is concerning you, then go to the source and ask. If your question is a two-parter (or longer), then maybe save for a meeting when all conversation can be documented by one or more supervisors. Be sure that your questions have clarity and do not answer yourself with a question. Do not base your work habits on speculation ('I told them I was taking a cigarette break and got a strange look. Yes, I know lunch is an hour away and I took a 15 minute break a half hour ago'). Though some gossip is good gossip, do not make yourself a part of the "loop" as you will not be seen as one to be trusted or respected.
3. Rules/Procedures. These are created for the intention of achieving positive results. There should be a sense of logic as well as productive comfort. When training an employee new duties, this should be explained in the clearest common language with minimal interruptions and changes should be made in writing. Using slang such as "Wing it" or "Do what we can" does not make a good or stable work environment and good planning from go usually prevents this. This is not to say that things will never happen, it just helps to be in focus at the starting gate.
4. Politics. My instructors and I had a somewhat heated debate about this. Without saying who was right or wrong, I'll just say that is present in most workplaces just like the communities we live in. Only because management (or other top brass) may be corrupt, it does not give you a reason to perform poorly on the job. Feeling doomed about your job stability or pessimistic about getting another job soon is normal but does not justify being lackadaisical about any aspect of work. Anybody can just show up.
5. Little things. Like pennies, they do add up over time. Use of the internet not related to your job (even for something positive), multi-tasking, keeping discussions to a minimum (if they are necessary at all), taking physical inventory at least once a week and if dissatisfaction about your job is around the corner, look for ways to make a change.
In this recession, we are all looking to maintaining our comfort level if it means cutting, or eliminating anything that does not serve an immediate need.
1. Down time. There are still some of us that have more of this than we like to publicly speak of. If this is the case, realize that you are being watched and this will not be forever. Make good on this by doing something constructive around the office. If you are not inclined to do something that may benefit your employer but yourself instead, make sure you do it quietly and it is something that is likely to have tangible results (i.e. going online to check out classes or other resources for a career change/upgrade as opposed to celebrity gossip sites or a friends' MySpace page).
2. Communication. If something is concerning you, then go to the source and ask. If your question is a two-parter (or longer), then maybe save for a meeting when all conversation can be documented by one or more supervisors. Be sure that your questions have clarity and do not answer yourself with a question. Do not base your work habits on speculation ('I told them I was taking a cigarette break and got a strange look. Yes, I know lunch is an hour away and I took a 15 minute break a half hour ago'). Though some gossip is good gossip, do not make yourself a part of the "loop" as you will not be seen as one to be trusted or respected.
3. Rules/Procedures. These are created for the intention of achieving positive results. There should be a sense of logic as well as productive comfort. When training an employee new duties, this should be explained in the clearest common language with minimal interruptions and changes should be made in writing. Using slang such as "Wing it" or "Do what we can" does not make a good or stable work environment and good planning from go usually prevents this. This is not to say that things will never happen, it just helps to be in focus at the starting gate.
4. Politics. My instructors and I had a somewhat heated debate about this. Without saying who was right or wrong, I'll just say that is present in most workplaces just like the communities we live in. Only because management (or other top brass) may be corrupt, it does not give you a reason to perform poorly on the job. Feeling doomed about your job stability or pessimistic about getting another job soon is normal but does not justify being lackadaisical about any aspect of work. Anybody can just show up.
5. Little things. Like pennies, they do add up over time. Use of the internet not related to your job (even for something positive), multi-tasking, keeping discussions to a minimum (if they are necessary at all), taking physical inventory at least once a week and if dissatisfaction about your job is around the corner, look for ways to make a change.
In this recession, we are all looking to maintaining our comfort level if it means cutting, or eliminating anything that does not serve an immediate need.
Ways to Increase Workplace Productivity - Page 2 of 2
Here are a few things I took away that have not only helped me but made punching a clock not as dreaded as it once was.
1. Down time. There are still some of us that have more of this than we like to publicly speak of. If this is the case, realize that you are being watched and this will not be forever. Make good on this by doing something constructive around the office. If you are not inclined to do something that may benefit your employer but yourself instead, make sure you do it quietly and it is something that is likely to have tangible results (i.e. going online to check out classes or other resources for a career change/upgrade as opposed to celebrity gossip sites or a friends' MySpace page).
2. Communication. If something is concerning you, then go to the source and ask. If your question is a two-parter (or longer), then maybe save for a meeting when all conversation can be documented by one or more supervisors. Be sure that your questions have clarity and do not answer yourself with a question. Do not base your work habits on speculation ('I told them I was taking a cigarette break and got a strange look. Yes, I know lunch is an hour away and I took a 15 minute break a half hour ago'). Though some gossip is good gossip, do not make yourself a part of the "loop" as you will not be seen as one to be trusted or respected.
3. Rules/Procedures. These are created for the intention of achieving positive results. There should be a sense of logic as well as productive comfort. When training an employee new duties, this should be explained in the clearest common language with minimal interruptions and changes should be made in writing. Using slang such as "Wing it" or "Do what we can" does not make a good or stable work environment and good planning from go usually prevents this. This is not to say that things will never happen, it just helps to be in focus at the starting gate.
4. Politics. My instructors and I had a somewhat heated debate about this. Without saying who was right or wrong, I'll just say that is present in most workplaces just like the communities we live in. Only because management (or other top brass) may be corrupt, it does not give you a reason to perform poorly on the job. Feeling doomed about your job stability or pessimistic about getting another job soon is normal but does not justify being lackadaisical about any aspect of work. Anybody can just show up.
5. Little things. Like pennies, they do add up over time. Use of the internet not related to your job (even for something positive), multi-tasking, keeping discussions to a minimum (if they are necessary at all), taking physical inventory at least once a week and if dissatisfaction about your job is around the corner, look for ways to make a change.
In this recession, we are all looking to maintaining our comfort level if it means cutting, or eliminating anything that does not serve an immediate need.
1. Down time. There are still some of us that have more of this than we like to publicly speak of. If this is the case, realize that you are being watched and this will not be forever. Make good on this by doing something constructive around the office. If you are not inclined to do something that may benefit your employer but yourself instead, make sure you do it quietly and it is something that is likely to have tangible results (i.e. going online to check out classes or other resources for a career change/upgrade as opposed to celebrity gossip sites or a friends' MySpace page).
2. Communication. If something is concerning you, then go to the source and ask. If your question is a two-parter (or longer), then maybe save for a meeting when all conversation can be documented by one or more supervisors. Be sure that your questions have clarity and do not answer yourself with a question. Do not base your work habits on speculation ('I told them I was taking a cigarette break and got a strange look. Yes, I know lunch is an hour away and I took a 15 minute break a half hour ago'). Though some gossip is good gossip, do not make yourself a part of the "loop" as you will not be seen as one to be trusted or respected.
3. Rules/Procedures. These are created for the intention of achieving positive results. There should be a sense of logic as well as productive comfort. When training an employee new duties, this should be explained in the clearest common language with minimal interruptions and changes should be made in writing. Using slang such as "Wing it" or "Do what we can" does not make a good or stable work environment and good planning from go usually prevents this. This is not to say that things will never happen, it just helps to be in focus at the starting gate.
4. Politics. My instructors and I had a somewhat heated debate about this. Without saying who was right or wrong, I'll just say that is present in most workplaces just like the communities we live in. Only because management (or other top brass) may be corrupt, it does not give you a reason to perform poorly on the job. Feeling doomed about your job stability or pessimistic about getting another job soon is normal but does not justify being lackadaisical about any aspect of work. Anybody can just show up.
5. Little things. Like pennies, they do add up over time. Use of the internet not related to your job (even for something positive), multi-tasking, keeping discussions to a minimum (if they are necessary at all), taking physical inventory at least once a week and if dissatisfaction about your job is around the corner, look for ways to make a change.
In this recession, we are all looking to maintaining our comfort level if it means cutting, or eliminating anything that does not serve an immediate need.