Top Tricks To Boost Productivity In Small Business

Because if there's one thing small business owners need more of, it's time.

It’s no secret that small business owners are notoriously time-poor. Trying to manage multiple aspects of a business can be overwhelming, stressful and demanding, and while enjoying the work you do can a big difference, it won’t add any hours to the day.

So instead of letting time get the better of you and your staff, read these four tricks to boost your own and your teams’ productivity levels.

Stop Multitasking

Despite multitasking people seeming busier, more organised and more efficient than others, multitasking is a huge productivity killer. Doing a few tasks at the same time is a sure fire way to see that none of them get done properly and to schedule. So instead, plan tasks and face them one at a time.

There’s no point trying to make a phone call while returning an email or rostering staff while writing a sales report. Not only does it reduce the quality of work, but it will send you frazzled pretty quickly, so focus your complete attention on one big task and get it done.

Eliminate Time Killers

From social media to unnecessary meetings, there are plenty of distractions that can be zapped with a bit of discipline. Social media should be a big part of your business, so it’s OK to spend some time building and maintaining a presence.

But it’s easy to fall into a trap, spending more time than necessary looking at other pages and people. And before you know it, it’s 3pm and you’ve wasted prime productivity time looking at memes on Facebook or cats on YouTube.

So set a timer, stay on track and turn off social media and email notifications so other tasks stay uninterrupted.

As for meetings, make sure they’re essential and only the people that need to attend are invited. Again, set a time limit, outline an agenda (preferably before the meeting so attendees come prepared) and have an outcome. Time is your most valuable resource, so don’t throw it away.

Know Yourself and Your Staff

Everyone has a certain time of day in which they are more productive. Some people might work well in the morning, while others work better in the evening. Find out your prime productivity time and optimise your work schedule accordingly.

If you have staff, know when they work best and allow for flexibility. If someone works well early morning, let them start earlier and finish earlier than others.

And try not to schedule creative meetings or discussions when no one is at their peak productivity times. You want to get the most out of people working with you, so it’s all about being aware of their working habits.

Delegate

There will be a point where doing it all yourself is no longer feasible. This is great news as it means your business is growing and it’s time to get some extra hands on board to take pressure off yourself.

Whether it’s hiring new people or giving existing staff extra responsibilities, delegating is an important part of the productivity process.

While it might seem easier to just do it yourself, think about whether there is someone else who can be given the necessary information, if the task will recur in the future, and if it will help develop them professionally. It’s also important to invest time to delegate and train someone, so ensure it’s not a rushed process.

So, while everyone has the same amount of hours in the day, it’s clear that some people maximise their time more efficiently than others. For business owners, it’s all about focusing on one task, eliminating time wasters, knowing yourself and delegation.