(Please visit the site to view this video)
As small business leaders seek productivity gains, it is important to set realistic targets.
Small business leaders are well aware of the importance of maximising the productivity of their workers.
Even if they are able to increased performance and output by just two or three per cent in each individual they employ, these can add up to measurable gains.
But company leaders need to be careful about how they approach this issue.
There is still as much work to be done, but fewer people onboard to carry it out.
Coercing employees into working longer hours - in or out of the office - by increasing the amount of work they need to get through may actually be counter-productive.
If employees are over-burdened in their role, and feel as if they are being asked to do too much, they are more likely to become an attrition risk.
Should an appropriate job come up elsewhere at a rival firm, they may just be tempted to jump ship.
And nothing harms productivity more than people leaving, taking their skills and experience with them when they go.
A better way to boost productivity may be to invest in technology - potentially cloud-based solutions - which can be used to help employees go about their daily work.
If IT can be used to automate menial tasks, this can take the pressure off individual workers and ensure they are both happy and as productive as possible in the workplace.
Posted by Sarah Parish
Microsoft’s technology is always looking out how it can help businesses, and we’re excited to let you know that the new version of Microsoft Office is here! Small businesses will get great value, power and simplicity by using Office 365, which incorporates the new Office to help you save money.
We, at Microsoft, provide ‘Talking Business’ to help entrepreneurs and business owners’ succeed. We believe in your ability to innovate and in the ability of technology to help, so to support ‘Talking Business’ we have many resources available for businesses like you. We have an informative newsletter, blog posts by people in the industry, and a community looking to help small business succeed.
Follow us on twitter - @MicrosoftSB, or use the hashtag #TalkingBusiness to find out more information.