These questions are but a few that you can ask yourself as an employer when it comes to office productivity. Whether your office is small or large or someplace in between; whether it is a traditional office or a retail store of some type, the productivity of your employees directly impacts the results you get in business. Office productivity directly affects business growth and development, profit margins and, most importantly, your bottom line.

To truly measure office productivity, you must first assess the strength and weaknesses of your employees, both individually and collectively. How do they work to forward the mission of your business? Are your employees “team mates?” Do each of them know how critical their role is to the success of your and “their” company? Are you setting the example you would like for them to follow? Let’s look at some ideas designed to increase productivity and get the results you want.

After you have answered the previous questions, begin an evaluation of the “office productivity” in your business by asking these same questions of your staff and getting their answers. Each of us likes to feel important and that what we have to say is meaningful and that it counts for something! This part of the process is a great step to helping develop and foster a level of trust between you and your employees, and trust is definitely one of the most important elements in having greater productivity.

As you are open and receptive to thoughts, ideas and suggestions from your staff, they in turn will become more open and receptive to yours. Encouraged by having open dialogue that takes into consideration their thoughts and feelings, your employees will take help to take your business to a higher level. Do remember that you are the first key to developing a high level of trust in your business. Make certain that as you involve your employees, you do so by being open and honest in your communication and that you set reliable and measurable examples for them. You, as the leader, want them to follow your lead!

Too often, we attempt to measure only tangibles when we assess what works and what does not. Many times, we focus only on the aptitude of employees to do their assigned work and we give no latitude to work outside of the box. We provide all of the manifestations of what we think will make an office productive — “tools, toys and things.” Yet we may fail to address the attitude and motivation of our staff and how we may directly impact it. Respect for and acceptance of your employees as the most important part of your business is essential. It is imperative to trust yourself and then to trust your staff to know the right thing to do. Encourage your employees to seek solutions to the challenges they face on a daily basis. They are a great source of new ideas, problem identification and the like if you will simply tap into them. Raise the bar for collaboration and innovation among your team and then listen to what they have to say. Remember that no one person can have the best answers and solutions for every aspect of your business.

It is well documented that without a high level of trust in business, productivity decreases, frustrations arise, conflicts increase and morale drops. As a result, the bottom line for a company can be dramatically affected. As the level of trust between you and your employees increases, you will see better responsiveness by staff in taking responsibility for their actions and how they affect your business. A pride in working for “their” company will be a natural development that will foster greater office productivity.

A work situation that allows for trust of you, of themselves and their peers is the best gift you can give to your employees. By involving your employees in your vision for your business, you will find a sense of pride and a sense of value in working together as a team. They will be vested in implementing positive and productive actions to make themselves and your business successful. Motivation and enthusiasm will help job satisfaction to soar and greater productivity will be the result!

Most importantly, a foundation of trust and the enthusiasm of your employees will spill over to your clients and customers. Your team will create greater customer satisfaction, more loyalty to your business and referrals to help your business grow. All of these are ingredients that will give your business a competitive advantage and the prospects for a better bottom line!

Are you getting the results you want?

(Editor’s Note: Judith Rammel is president of Gold Medal Marketing Ltd. She may be reached at (360) 337-7314, jprammel@telebyte.com or www.goldmedalgroup.com.).