Singapore
Singapore
‘Efficiency’ is a word that is frequently discussed among management. From the number of tasks designated to staff members, to the printers an office uses, efficiency is almost always the main justification. And it makes sense too, with today’s economy moving at a brisker pace than ever before, and with markets more competitive than ever. Whether businesses are operating in the global or domestic arena, enhancing employee productivity is a reality that no business can ignore.
Through Employees:
Don’t Take Multitasking Too Far
Most of us handle several projects at the same time, which means that some level of multitasking is required. However, going through emails, checking up on business-related social media and writing a report at the same time may actually do more harm than good. It has been suggested that, rather than doing several tasks at once, focusing on just one may go a longer way when it comes to productivity — and there is good science to back this up too. Research conducted at Stanford University1 found that heavy multitaskers, or people who claim to have a special gift at multitasking, were not as good at multitasking than their single-task counterparts. A smart, productivity-driven company, then, is one where employees know how to organise and prioritise the work at hand.
Through Processes:
Streamline Standard Operating Procedures
Every company has standard operating procedures (SOPs), or activities necessary to complete various tasks. However, just because SOPs are part of the collective wisdom, this does not mean that they cannot be streamlined.
The first thing that companies want to do is to identify low-hanging fruits, or inefficient processes that are simply not working out. Then, define a single alternative work process that addresses the issue, making sure to work with those along the workflow chain for solutions.
Take invoice management, for example. A company that relies on manual, paper-based invoicing is also engaged in a costly, time-consuming process. To remedy that, the company may want to explore an alternative — in this case, an automated invoice management system. That way, scanned invoices can be automatically routed to the respective departments for digital processing, thus saving both time and money in the long run. Remember! SOPs are not set in stone and should evolve constantly to bridge operational gaps.
Through Technology:
Leverage New Technology
Using technology in the workplace is more than just about having computers and an active internet connection. Instead, it is about utilising software solutions to enhance productivity.
Take Canon’s new imageRUNNER ADVANCE (iR-ADV) 6500i series of printers, for example. The third generation models come with an authentication feature that allows employees to access MY ADVANCE and create personalised experiences, such as customised displays, settings and frequently used functions. Personal address books, login options and languages, too, can be tailored to the individual to enhance user experience.
What these features mean is that employees will eventually spend less time on unnecessary tasks, such as changing printer settings, searching for specific functions and inputting email addresses, and more time on more meaningful tasks elsewhere. A big part of productivity, after all, is about identifying inefficiencies and rectifying them along the way, and investing in the right kind of technology is a definite step in the right direction.
And, with Canon’s latest iR-ADV printers, they have certainly hit close to the mark.