Productivity Steps to Impove your Chances of Success In The Current Environment

There is a glimmer of hope that the worst of the economic recession is behind us and that we are on the road to a recovery. But with shaky consumer sentiment and tight credit, companies and small businesses are reluctant to add to their payroll, raising the prospect of a prolonged and arduous jobless recovery. Employers are seeking ways to boost productivity, asking for results, but offering fewer additional resources. The following are some steps that firms can take to increase productivity without creating organizational strains and employee demoralizing.

1. Use of Technology. There are many affordable productivity enhancing tools that can be employed from managing sales and distribution efficiently to strengthening relations with valuable customers.
   
2. Outsource. Outsourcing certain functions can provide a firm with a competitive advantage. Using outside help can bring valuable expertise to a company, independent of its size, allowing it to access specialized skills while directing resources to core capabilities and strengths.
   
3. Delegate. This is the time for top management to step outside its “comfort zone” and to empower trusted key associates to deliver results. Ask for outside help if you need to improve on communication that fosters organizational trust and empowerment. Recognize that empowerment yields results when there is clarity of purpose, true ownership and full accountability.
   
4. Develop a Team Culture. Do not overlook the stress and anxieties that the dismal economic environment has created on employees’ spirit and morale. Organize events that promote team spirit, optimism and bring back a sense of career security. Celebrate successes and recognize employees' contributions to productivity in the workplace.
   
5. Assess Strengths and Weaknesses. Recognize what your business does well and focus on doing more of them. Conversely, look at addressing the “weak links”, especially those that affect customer relations. Adjust the mission statement and goals accordingly.
   
6. Prioritize. Identify the tasks that are critical to success and growth, set priorities and allocate resources to accomplish the tasks. Focusing resources on the tasks that offer the greatest rewards and the highest probability of success should be a priority.

Regardless what the new year will bring, in terms of economic opportunities for small businesses, I can promise you that the principles outlined will serve you well, regardless of the environment we’ll find ourselves in.

Happy and a prosperous 2010.