UK Business Owners Try to Raise Productivity

Productivity growth is a huge factor when it comes to improved standards of living, as well as that more general term, 'economic growth.' Therefore, businesses are trying to realise the shortcomings of the ways they operate, making structural changes to many different aspects of the workplace. Much inspiration has been taken from Japan, a country whose business practices are renown for improving productivity, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

Listening

There are several things that Japanese businesses tend to do differently to western businesses, and one of them comprises the business owner opening their ears to what's being said on the shop floor. In many cases, the workers are the people with the best ideas about how to improve the production systems, and even if not all of their suggestions hit the mark, the point is that you listen to them. You don't have to put everything in place, but you should provide them with a forum to suggest changes that would make their daily lives easier while improving productivity.

Breaks

The way that companies approach breaks is changing. It used to be that you had an hour for a lunch break between set hours, but now, many companies are offering employees the chance to have more of an input. Some will want a little extra time so they can spend their break at home, while others would rather only take ten minutes and have a slightly shorter working day – and none of these flexible options will negatively affect the company. Many companies are even paying attention to the breakroom they have, equipping it with a TV and some comfy seats. This means employees can take their mind off work, either enjoying some social time or relaxing more independently, playing the best slots online. These practices allow workers to have a proper break, and come back to work with a fresh attitude.

Utilities

It isn't just breakrooms and kitchens that are being revamped by business owners, but workers are being given more of a say when it comes to all kinds of utilities – office coffee machines, games consoles, yoga spaces, vending machines. When employees have facilities that keep them positive, they connect socially and they enjoy their time together. When you can foster healthy team-relationships then you will see a difference in productivity.

Flexibility

Technology makes it easier for employees to stay connected wherever they are, so it makes sense that more and more employees are working from home. When people feel listened to and their needs accommodated for then they don't just act out of a need to get paid, but out of genuine loyalty. If you take the time to provide for the individual needs of workers then you will see there are a whole host of advantages – for example, the more people you have working from home, the less you need to spend on having a large office. Flexibility used to mean flexibility on the part of the worker to fit in with a given role, but now it refers to the flexibility of the workplace to account for the needs of the employees.