Boost Productivity and Culture

Throughout the 20^th century, American workers were generally happy at their jobs if the pay and benefits were good.

More recently, however, workers want more out of a job than just a paycheck and health insurance. Because you spend most of your life working at a job, people want to work for a company and hold a position that has meaning.

Employers are responding to this new way of thinking by putting more focus on their organizational values and culture. Companies are finding that a positive, dynamic culture supports everything from attracting young talent to employee retention to higher productivity.

Establishing and maintaining an attractive company culture isn’t rocket science. It simply requires a bit of effort and investment. Consider the following tips on how to create a dynamic, exciting company culture.

Create an inspiring environment

While the idea of a hip working environment to inspire employees may seem crazy, the idea is backed up by research, as about 75 percent of workers report not having access to facilities that support creativity.

You don’t necessarily have to recreate a cool Silicon Valley office to inspire your employees. You can easily enhance your work environs by focusing on two things: the light and function. Studies have revealed that 40 percent of people think about lighting as the most critical factor related to work productivity. Clearly, investing in functional lighting is a good way to boost your team’s productivity levels.

Encourage breaks

Being productive and developing ideas can be mentally draining, and your employees need to recharge their batteries every once in a while. This is why it’s so critical to allow for and almost demand that your team members take regular breaks. Let them know your company understands how important it is to refresh the mind and set it up for the next big idea or solution.

A number of scientific studies have covered the optimal break length and found differing results, but the consensus seems to be a 9-minute break every hour is optimal for boosting productivity and lowering stress.

Support employee growth

Accepting bigger responsibilities and more difficult duties is essential for career satisfaction for most people. To support this, company leaders have to promote a ‘growth mindset’ by making room for trying new ideas, and the potential errors that come with risk-taking.

A growth mindset doesn’t mean excusing incompetence or laziness. There is a significant distinction between experimenting with ideas and poor performance. Identifying that distinction is something a company must focus on and a skill that managers need to develop.

Prioritize transparency

Being transparent about what the latest decisions and developments in your business can have a big positive impact on employee performance. When your staff members feel like they are in the loop, they become more invested in their duties and responsibilities, making them more excited about doing good work.

Are you looking for IT talent to grow your team?

At SMCI, we fully support all of our clients’ employee engagement efforts. If your company is currently looking for a supportive staffing partner, please contact us today.