Efficiency & productivity are vital to your team success. Efficiency issues have a tendency to grow if left alone, meaning that problems are more likely to escalate with increased frustration and overwhelm. 

Getting on top of these issues quickly and finding ways to troubleshoot issues and processes allow everyone to benefit & move forward. It’s always good to remember that being efficient isn’t about working harder, rather it’s about working smarter.

It’s beneficial to every person in your company to relook at the ways you’re working and your efficiency levels on a regular basis. As the business evolves, improvements can always be made.  

It’s important to not look at it as a daunting task. Below are some thought-starters to get you started.

1. Realistic Team Goals

Having goals goes without saying. Going a step further and having team goals enables you to work better together and harness skills collaboratively. 

If that’s something which hasn’t been done well in the past, this change could help to take you in a new and more positive direction. Simply having a common goal that everyone is working towards will pull your team together.

2. Customer Insights

Your customers can tell you a lot about your business, so don’t be afraid to make the most of their insights. 

Listen to what they’re saying and take it onboard. You might find that you can change your processes in line with your customer feedback, keeping in mind that in an ideal world you’d also be improving your business efficiency at the same time.

3. Use Task Management Software for Collaborations

When your business is working on a large project that requires teamwork collaboration, it makes sense for you to use teamwork tools. 

All businesses can benefit from this, no matter the niche you’re operating within. Investigate which software might be right for your particular business.

3. Limit Interruptions & Distractions

It’s a positive step to limit interruptions and distractions within your workplace. You don’t want your team to have their attention taken away from the areas of focus when they’re trying to do their best work. Limit team meetings too, as they can often be interrupting the flow & efficiency of work.

4. Open Lines of Communication

Ensuring the lines of communication remain open across the business will help with efficiency. When people communicate well, they work together better & trouble-shoot collaboratively. This helps boost morale and create a supportive environment. It’ll also help to keep good staff and create a positive framework from which to build your company.

5. Automate Tasks

You should constantly be taking steps to bring your business up to date when it comes to processes and automation. There are many small tasks which you can automate simply at no cost. Other areas may require a large investment. It’s in your best interests to automate as much as you can to allow your team to become more efficient.

Putting in place a few positive changes might not be a big deal now, but it can make a difference to the long-term success of your company.

6. Single-Tasking

Multi-tasking can decrease your efficiency and can sometimes become detrimental to the success of your business. 

It pays off to switch to single-tasking where possible. Even if it seems like a slower way of working, time is often saved in the long-term. It also removes stress and confusion - yay to that!

Alison Morgan is one of Australia’s leading Business Coaches, specialising in helping small businesses grow & evolve 

With over 20 years experience in Marketing and 8+ years Private Business Coaching clients with her company Relauncher, Alison knows how to create successful businesses. 

Alison is also founder of Sticky Studio; a branding and digital design studio servicing businesses, brands and people.