Here are some ways that SMEs can power up the workforce and drive productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5 Productivity Tips Every Small Business Needs to Know<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur latest guide offers five simple tips to stay efficient and productive. You will learn how choosing the right tools will empower your business.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tGet the E-Book<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t![\"emea-productivity-tips-guide\"](\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2022\/04\/emea-productivity-tips-guide-opt1.jpg\")
\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nTop 12 productivity hacks for small business owners<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Track how you\u2019re spending your time.<\/b> You may think you have a good grasp on how much time you\u2019re dedicating to various tasks. But if you\u2019re multi-tasking \u2013 and who isn\u2019t these days \u2013 then it can be hard to gauge exactly how much attention and time each task requires. You may want to consider installing analytical tools that break down how you and your workforce are using your time and use this data to help group tasks eliminate bottlenecks and improve productivity. You might even get some surprising insights into which tasks have the highest value-to-time-spent ratios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Level up with new technologies to connect the workforce, enable collaboration and future-proof your SME<\/a>.<\/b> From CRM tools<\/a> to field-service solutions and virtual-meeting apps, today\u2019s SMEs are introducing new technologies to increase productivity. Many teams have moved to remote work, so keeping them connected and aligned is increasingly important. New technologies can also provide a more complete view of customers and prospects, making it easier for reps to do their jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Cut down on emails. <\/b>In the 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferris lays out the business case for creating an auto-response<\/a> and only answering emails twice a day. While this might not be feasible or advantageous for everyone, there\u2019s little doubt that 24\/7 availability can actually be a hindrance to productivity. Instead, look for ways to \u2018batch\u2019 your calls and emails into a short, hyper-focused period. Then use the time you\u2019ve saved to focus on more important tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Prioritise the Pareto Principle.<\/b> According to the Pareto Principle, 80% of results come from only 20% of actions. While this ratio might not be exactly accurate, you might have noticed that a small percentage of customers are responsible for most of your sales. Or that a few reps drive the majority of leads. Or that 20% of your workforce is doing 80% of the work. The exact percentage isn\u2019t as important as the fact that there is unequal distribution. Once you analyse this distribution, you can leverage that data to be more productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Deploy artificial intelligence<\/a> to automate routine tasks.<\/b> Mundane, repetitive tasks aren\u2019t just time wasters, they\u2019re morale killers. Introducing AI-powered tools can help alleviate some of the workload through automation. You can also bring in things like Chatbots, which not only provide customers with self-service options that improve their experience but free up service reps to focus on more business-critical tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Ask the workforce to identify productivity killers<\/a> in different departments and functions.<\/b> Don\u2019t be afraid to ask the workforce to provide critical feedback. Employees are well equipped to identify inefficient processes and workflows in a business since they\u2019re the ones dealing with them every day. If you\u2019re concerned that the team may be reluctant to offer criticism, consider using an anonymous survey to gather information. After all, it\u2019s difficult to fix problems if no one is acknowledging them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n7. Use an on-demand training platform<\/a> to nurture agility. <\/b>Recent trends have shown that employee churn is increasing. One of the best ways to retain employees is to offer them access to training. New skills not only prepare workers for a changing climate; they benefit businesses as well. Salesforce\u2019s Trailhead<\/a> and similar platforms can help workers learn new skills from anywhere and at any time, empowering them to create their own solutions to productivity bottlenecks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. Don\u2019t let your morning go to waste. <\/b>Maintaining a good work\/life balance is important for being productive, as burnout is a top productivity killer. So if you\u2019re using the morning commute to meditate, reflect or listen to your favourite podcast, you may actually be driving productivity. If, on the other hand, your coffee is hot, your engine is revving and you\u2019re itching to start the day, you can use your commute to organise a plan of action for the day or tackle a round of emails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you work from home, try to establish a personalised morning workflow calibrated for peak performance. For example, think about how you can minimise your own personal time-wasters and create more productive habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Harness the power of data to make better decisions. <\/b>We\u2019re in a data-first world. In fact, data is driving most business decisions today. Having a good data management strategy to gather and store clean data is imperative. Giving team members access to this data in real time will help them make smarter decisions. You can even leverage tools that surface recommendations for the next best actions. By using data and analytics, you can empower the sales team<\/a> to follow better leads and the service team to better address common issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n10. Create a working environment that inspires.<\/b> If you\u2019re operating in an office-based environment, it\u2019s important to optimise that environment for peak productivity. After all, we\u2019re spending a third of our day there. That doesn\u2019t necessarily mean putting a pinball machine in the breakroom. Instead, focus on being transparent with information. Nurture individual differences in employees, rather than creating a one-size-fits-all atmosphere. Try to add value to the employee experience. Give teams meaningful work. Make sure all employees feel appreciated. Values. Teamwork. Collaboration. Empathy. Alignment. Transparency. These are some of the things that help create a productive workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Make meetings a thing of the past. <\/b>A survey<\/a> from AtTask and Harris Poll found that employees spend 45% on their primary job duties, with 41% spent on meetings, admin and interruptions. If you\u2019ve already automated as many administrative tasks as possible, turn your attention towards meetings. Are they all necessary? Can you cut one-hour meetings to 30 minutes? Look at your own business\u2019s ratio for high-value tasks to admin: how can you optimise it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n12. Pick the right soundtrack<\/b>. Remember all those inspirational training montages from 1980s movies? One thing they all had in common was a soundtrack turned up to 11. Now, piping the Rocky soundtrack into the office might not be the best idea, but you\u2019d be surprised at how much music can affect mood and productivity. Studies have shown that listening to classical music can increase spatial reasoning skills. And while The Mozart Effect<\/a> isn\u2019t without its doubters, the possibility of raising spatial IQ scores by 8 or 9 points should be too good to pass up.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSmall business productivity is a marathon, not a sprint<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
These small business productivity hacks will hopefully help your SME trim the fat and muscle up for a more productive tomorrow. But driving productivity is an ongoing process, not a one-and-done. By implementing these tips, you\u2019ll have a business that\u2019s employee-centric, data-driven, technologically savvy and attractive to new recruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nTop 12 productivity hacks for small business owners<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Track how you\u2019re spending your time.<\/b> You may think you have a good grasp on how much time you\u2019re dedicating to various tasks. But if you\u2019re multi-tasking \u2013 and who isn\u2019t these days \u2013 then it can be hard to gauge exactly how much attention and time each task requires. You may want to consider installing analytical tools that break down how you and your workforce are using your time and use this data to help group tasks eliminate bottlenecks and improve productivity. You might even get some surprising insights into which tasks have the highest value-to-time-spent ratios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Level up with new technologies to connect the workforce, enable collaboration and future-proof your SME<\/a>.<\/b> From CRM tools<\/a> to field-service solutions and virtual-meeting apps, today\u2019s SMEs are introducing new technologies to increase productivity. Many teams have moved to remote work, so keeping them connected and aligned is increasingly important. New technologies can also provide a more complete view of customers and prospects, making it easier for reps to do their jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Cut down on emails. <\/b>In the 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferris lays out the business case for creating an auto-response<\/a> and only answering emails twice a day. While this might not be feasible or advantageous for everyone, there\u2019s little doubt that 24\/7 availability can actually be a hindrance to productivity. Instead, look for ways to \u2018batch\u2019 your calls and emails into a short, hyper-focused period. Then use the time you\u2019ve saved to focus on more important tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Prioritise the Pareto Principle.<\/b> According to the Pareto Principle, 80% of results come from only 20% of actions. While this ratio might not be exactly accurate, you might have noticed that a small percentage of customers are responsible for most of your sales. Or that a few reps drive the majority of leads. Or that 20% of your workforce is doing 80% of the work. The exact percentage isn\u2019t as important as the fact that there is unequal distribution. Once you analyse this distribution, you can leverage that data to be more productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Deploy artificial intelligence<\/a> to automate routine tasks.<\/b> Mundane, repetitive tasks aren\u2019t just time wasters, they\u2019re morale killers. Introducing AI-powered tools can help alleviate some of the workload through automation. You can also bring in things like Chatbots, which not only provide customers with self-service options that improve their experience but free up service reps to focus on more business-critical tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Ask the workforce to identify productivity killers<\/a> in different departments and functions.<\/b> Don\u2019t be afraid to ask the workforce to provide critical feedback. Employees are well equipped to identify inefficient processes and workflows in a business since they\u2019re the ones dealing with them every day. If you\u2019re concerned that the team may be reluctant to offer criticism, consider using an anonymous survey to gather information. After all, it\u2019s difficult to fix problems if no one is acknowledging them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Use an on-demand training platform<\/a> to nurture agility. <\/b>Recent trends have shown that employee churn is increasing. One of the best ways to retain employees is to offer them access to training. New skills not only prepare workers for a changing climate; they benefit businesses as well. Salesforce\u2019s Trailhead<\/a> and similar platforms can help workers learn new skills from anywhere and at any time, empowering them to create their own solutions to productivity bottlenecks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Don\u2019t let your morning go to waste. <\/b>Maintaining a good work\/life balance is important for being productive, as burnout is a top productivity killer. So if you\u2019re using the morning commute to meditate, reflect or listen to your favourite podcast, you may actually be driving productivity. If, on the other hand, your coffee is hot, your engine is revving and you\u2019re itching to start the day, you can use your commute to organise a plan of action for the day or tackle a round of emails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you work from home, try to establish a personalised morning workflow calibrated for peak performance. For example, think about how you can minimise your own personal time-wasters and create more productive habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Harness the power of data to make better decisions. <\/b>We\u2019re in a data-first world. In fact, data is driving most business decisions today. Having a good data management strategy to gather and store clean data is imperative. Giving team members access to this data in real time will help them make smarter decisions. You can even leverage tools that surface recommendations for the next best actions. By using data and analytics, you can empower the sales team<\/a> to follow better leads and the service team to better address common issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. Create a working environment that inspires.<\/b> If you\u2019re operating in an office-based environment, it\u2019s important to optimise that environment for peak productivity. After all, we\u2019re spending a third of our day there. That doesn\u2019t necessarily mean putting a pinball machine in the breakroom. Instead, focus on being transparent with information. Nurture individual differences in employees, rather than creating a one-size-fits-all atmosphere. Try to add value to the employee experience. Give teams meaningful work. Make sure all employees feel appreciated. Values. Teamwork. Collaboration. Empathy. Alignment. Transparency. These are some of the things that help create a productive workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11. Make meetings a thing of the past. <\/b>A survey<\/a> from AtTask and Harris Poll found that employees spend 45% on their primary job duties, with 41% spent on meetings, admin and interruptions. If you\u2019ve already automated as many administrative tasks as possible, turn your attention towards meetings. Are they all necessary? Can you cut one-hour meetings to 30 minutes? Look at your own business\u2019s ratio for high-value tasks to admin: how can you optimise it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12. Pick the right soundtrack<\/b>. Remember all those inspirational training montages from 1980s movies? One thing they all had in common was a soundtrack turned up to 11. Now, piping the Rocky soundtrack into the office might not be the best idea, but you\u2019d be surprised at how much music can affect mood and productivity. Studies have shown that listening to classical music can increase spatial reasoning skills. And while The Mozart Effect<\/a> isn\u2019t without its doubters, the possibility of raising spatial IQ scores by 8 or 9 points should be too good to pass up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These small business productivity hacks will hopefully help your SME trim the fat and muscle up for a more productive tomorrow. But driving productivity is an ongoing process, not a one-and-done. By implementing these tips, you\u2019ll have a business that\u2019s employee-centric, data-driven, technologically savvy and attractive to new recruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSmall business productivity is a marathon, not a sprint<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n