A well-organized office with a streamlined workflow is essential to have a successful business. Here are ways to improve office efficiency
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A Great Place to Work
Happy and contented staff make for a harmonious work environment. Allowing the team to have personalized work areas with photographs and moments, providing comfortable seats, ambient lighting, and heating, will mean they more physically and emotionally comfortable at work.
Excellent training, incentives, and rewards make staff feel confident and valued. These factors build loyal staff who are stress-free and willing to deliver a high standard of work.
Proper Tools
Having the correct tools for any job is essential. Technological devices such as photocopiers, electronic whiteboards, personal computers, and fax machines can help take the pressure off a demanding workload. However, having too much equipment can also hinder productivity if it isn’t entirely necessary or staff not adequately trained to use it.
A sound communication system among staff and between business and customers is probably the most critical item needed to create a successful business. A user-friendly email or messaging program will keep everybody connected and on the same page – as will a proper phone system.
Reception staff can be employed to answer and transfer incoming calls. Still, if the company is small or financial and resources limited, it might be beneficial to incorporate a telephone answering service. Such a service means that extra staff does not need to be employed to answer incoming phone calls, and money required to pay wages, bonuses, vacation allowance, and sick pay can be put to better use.
Using a telephone answering service will increase company productivity as staff will not have to stop a meeting or abandon an important project to answer a phone. Urgent calls and crucial messages will not be missed as they are answered by trained and courteous staff dedicated to your company.
Train and Delegate
Staff will be happiest and most productive if they are undertaking tasks they enjoy and feel confident doing. It makes sense to delegate jobs to staff members who will carry it out to the highest standard and most efficiently. A person may waste a lot of work time if they don’t know what they are doing. They may become stressed, lose self-confidence, and may even become sick or resign.
The right training level for all staff is crucial as it means that all staff members can turn their hand to most tasks. If a person is absent or demands a product increase, all members can provide cover. Training makes staff more confident and relaxed in their job. It paves the way for promotion and personal growth and the increased knowledge and skill base contributing to the development of the business.
Delegating tasks at the beginning of each day can help streamline workflow as every staff member knows what they are doing and where. They also know who to go to for specific things. It can instill confidence in staff members and make them feel trustworthy.
