Running a small business is an enormous undertaking, one that can sometimes feel nearly impossible. This is especially true when you're having trouble with the productivity of your company. With the narrow margins that many small businesses operate under, it's absolutely vital that you be able to get as much out of yourself and your staff as possible. Improving productivity is one of the most important things that you can do to increase the margins of your business, so being able to do that is going to be absolutely key to growing your business for your future. Here are a few simple tips you can use to increase the productivity of both yourself and your employees.



Make Sure Your Team Has The Proper Tools

This might seem like a no-brainer, but your staff can't operate at their full potential unless they have all the tools they need. This can mean the right information, equipment, or software for the job they're trying to do. It can be tempting to blame laziness or inactivity for a lack of productivity in your business, but your workers can't be expected to perform if they haven't been given the proper tools to do so. As a general rule, you should be encouraging your team to work smarter, not harder. You can only push people to work so hard before they break, but smarter and more well-equipped work can increase productivity without negatively affecting the morale of your company.

Be Flexible

Another pitfall a lot of people fall into is trying to be too strict with their employees. It seems logical that stricter hours would keep employees from slacking off, but flexibility can actually be a great thing for your productivity. If the covid-19 pandemic has proved one thing, it's that people are more than capable of working hard from home, and in many cases can actually be more productive if they're allowed to set their own hours. Obviously in some cases you'll have to set firm hours for your workers, but at other times it might be worth considering a certain amount of flexibility when it comes to schedules.

Don't Be Afraid To Delegate

When running a business, it can be easy to end up taking way too much onto your own shoulders. After all, early on, you're basically setting everything up yourself. But, as your business grows, you're going to have to become increasingly comfortable delegating important tasks to the people underneath you. It's impossible to do everything by yourself, after all. Think of it as an important time management skill. Try to prioritize the most important tasks, the things that you can only do yourself, and let other things fall to your workers. You should also consider the skillsets of your employees as an asset! If there's an important job that you think one of your workers can pull off better than you can, don't be afraid to pass it on. Your business will be better off in the long run, and you'll have more time for the things that you yourself can do.

Consider The Culture Of Your Workplace

One of the most important intangibles to consider when running your business is the culture of your workplace. You can have a team of highly qualified hard workers, and it won't make a difference if the culture at work is too toxic for productivity. Think about the personalities that you're bringing in to your small business, and make sure they're all going to mesh well together. Sometimes we can get a little caught up in skills or employment history and end up bringing someone in who poisons the well of productivity with their personality. That doesn't mean that they're a bad person, just not a good fit for your specific culture. Culture is especially important in small businesses where everyone is going to be working in close contact with one another. A positive work environment can make a huge difference in productivity, so try to cultivate one as much as you can.

Don't Be Afraid To Bring In Outside Help

At the end of the day, there's really only so much that one person can do to improve productivity at a small business. Everyone has limitations, even you! If you're having trouble or feel like your company's productivity has plateaued, consider bringing in some expert conference speakers to boost employee morale and productivity. These speakers can provide the experience required to take your company to the next level, so be sure to consider them as an option when you're figuring out your next steps. Your employees will thank you, and you could end up seeing some real positive effects on your business after a visit from the right conference speaker.

Take Care Of Yourself

Running a successful small business can be a grind, and sometimes it feels like you have to run yourself ragged just to stay profitable. However, it's also important that you take the time to keep yourself healthy and well rested! Exhaustion has its consequences, and working yourself too hard can result in elevated stress and a lack of concentration that negatively affects your own personal productivity. If you feel like you're reaching this point, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get more sleep! Try to get at least eight hours a night if possible, and stick to a consistent sleep schedule as much as you can. Not only will it help you to stay productive, it also has a huge impact on your long-term health. Lack of sleep can lead to heart issues, problems with weight, and even hormone imbalances, so make sure you're taking the time to keep yourself healthy.

Obviously, running a business requires more than just a few tips found on the internet. But, using this information as a foundation can give you a good head start on the knowledge you'll need to guide your company through the decades ahead. Remember to avoid the pitfalls of just working harder and try to take a more holistic view of productivity!