Reorganising for productivity

If you feel like things could be running a little more efficiently, take these steps to streamline your operations and put your business on the path to a productive and prosperous 2015.

A fresh new year presents the perfect opportunity to reassess and reorganise your workplace with a change management plan. Here are four ways to boost your productivity and help things run more smoothly in 2015.

1. Clear the clutter

In an American study by OfficeMax, 90 per cent of respondents said clutter at home or at work had a negative impact on their life, and 77 per cent said it limited their productivity. Use the slower periods before and after Christmas to de-clutter your office – it’s one of the easiest ways to get organised and increase productivity.

Allocate a day or a few hours to the task, and encourage your staff to de-clutter their personal workspaces. At a company level, throw away unnecessary documents and files, and get rid of unused or broken furniture and equipment.

Digital clutter can be just as stressful as physical clutter, so clear out your email inbox and consider if there are better ways to organise your emails and smartphone apps. Another tip is to clean up your social media by unfollowing accounts that are no longer relevant or useful, or that clog up your feeds with unnecessary noise.

2. Automate your processes

Document management systems are quickly becoming a must-have for businesses of all sizes. Why rely on manual, time-consuming and error-prone processes when you can automate your systems? Robust document management software lets you capture, organise and access content, images, documents, reports and other vital information.

The potential benefits include greater efficiencies, easier access to resources, better version control and improved data security. And it doesn’t have to cost the earth – there are many document management systems available that are designed for smaller businesses.

3. Take advantage of technology that multitasks

Multifunctional printers are gaining popularity among smaller businesses because they allow you to produce high-quality documents while reducing running costs, consolidating single-function devices and improving office productivity. These multitasking machines enable you to print, scan, share and copy documents more quickly and easily. Take a look at some of the multitasking printers on the market these days, and give your employees the tools to perform at their best.

4. Increase your flexibility

Workplaces are transforming as a growing body of evidence suggests the traditional nine-to-five approach may not be the most effective. More and more employers are providing a flexible work environment that empowers employees to decide where and when they work. Technologies such as mobile devices, cloud computing and video conferencing are making this possible. A recent report from IBISWorld found that one in four Australian employees are likely to have some form of teleworking arrangement by 2050.

In a flexible workplace, managers measure employee performance based on outcomes rather than time spent at a desk. Potential benefits include improved productivity, higher levels of innovation, less requirement for office space and happier employees. Is there a way you could introduce greater flexibility into your workplace to help maximise productivity?

With a brand new year upon us, now is the perfect time to create a change management plan and implement strategies, tools and technologies that will help your business be more efficient, productive and successful in 2015.

Discover more ways to grow your business and its performance with our free white paper.