Productivity reserve: get the most out of your employees

Ensuring that employees perform as well as possible to the best of their abilities is a priority and a huge challenge for every company. On top of this, companies must also face the fact that in many areas they often struggle with labour shortages, which can slow down the achievement of corporate goals. However, by exploiting the productivity reserve - by getting the most out of your employees - you can significantly increase the company's productivity. And for this you don't even have to wring your workers dry.

Have you heard about employee management?

No, this is not the same as human resources (HR), although employees really are at the centre, and dealing with them. Employee management, however, refers to the processes by which it can be ensured that employees deliver their best performance. This mostly consists of tracking employees' performance and development, nurturing healthy professional relationships, and giving them the tools they need to succeed. If you do employee management well, then they will be motivated to meet the company's objectives, thereby giving you the opportunity to exploit the productivity reserve. In addition, employee management also contributes to increasing colleagues' productivity, satisfaction, retention and commitment.

This is the basis of successful employee management

Certain basic conditions must be met for the productivity reserve to become available to you through effective employee management. These conditions are:

1. The right person for the right task

Employees are the lifeblood of the company; they are the company's most valuable “assets”, so you have to consider carefully whom you employ, when and for which position. Alongside professional qualifications, also take into account what the characteristics of the ideal colleague are and how they fit into the company culture. A professionally trained person who does not fit the company culture can even poison work morale, and thereby productivity can fall, and even turnover can increase.

2. Get to know the processes and the employees' roles

To manage a team, it is essential that you have an overview of employees' roles and understand the responsibilities. Define the activities needed to complete the tasks, and name the employees who take part in fulfilling each point. This helps you better understand the tasks to be done, and how the plan can be modified if needed. Perhaps which colleague's knowledge and ability can be effectively applied in another area too.

3. Make communication more efficient

Establishing good internal communication is essential for utilising the productivity reserve. Managers must get to know their team and must be available. This way employees can share the problems and difficulties that may hinder the completion of tasks.

For example, if a shipment is delayed and the manager is informed of this in time by the employee/partner, then they can reorganise the workflows accordingly. They call in the workers of the affected shift later, and perhaps also ask the workers of the other shifts who, in exchange for overtime pay, is willing to come in at the weekend as well, so that production is completed on time regardless of the fact that the shipment was delayed.

Among other things, this is also why it is worth using CHEQ's internal communication solution, which makes it possible for management to stay in continuous contact with workers and partners who are on the road or geographically scattered, so that the effective use of the productivity reserve can come about.

4. Recognise talent

Very often, the only talent noticed at a workplace is the one who delivers outstanding performance in carrying out their tasks. However, even a below-average packing colleague can be talented at something else - such as easily finding a rapport with customers. It is worth keeping your eyes open and observing employees carefully, and keeping a record of who feels in their element in which area and setting. Retaining and nurturing talent is very important for the use of the productivity reserve as well, since it is easier to retain a good employee than to find a new one.

The benefits of employee management

1. It increases employee productivity

The processes and practices of employee management create an opportunity to tap into the productivity reserve and also contribute to increasing employees' productivity, since they provide insight into how employees work and how they contribute to the success of businesses.

2. It reduces labour costs

Labour costs make up a significant part of companies' expenditure. But with an effective employee management programme, businesses can gain more control over the way teams work and the costs associated with the activity. Reducing labour costs can also have a positive effect on company results.

3. It improves the efficiency of work processes

During workforce management, even the smallest details of work processes are uncovered and become analysable, which provide opportunities for improvement and optimisation. As a result, work can become more efficient, the plan for the smart use of the productivity reserve can be better realised, and it can even increase employees' commitment.

If you would like to learn more about how to map and exploit the productivity reserve, and about how CHEQ supports employee management, then request a free demo.