Subliminal Work Ethics: Employee Habits that Encourage Productivity
Unlike large corporations and established companies, small businesses often do not have the budget to formally train employees to increase their productivity. Furthermore, employees generally tend to take it negatively when spoken to about the status of their jobs, especially during times of a volatile economy. A useful technique would be to determine which of your staff is the most efficient and find out what it is about this performing group that puts them ahead of the others. They may have subliminal work ethics, responsible business practices or attitudes that affect their jobs in a positive manner, which they can share with fellow co-workers.
The following are subliminal work ethics and behaviors that can help improve productivity:
1. Promoting Positive Kiasu-ism
Possibly the most fundamental of attitudes that have helped build this great country is the competitive spirit of the Singaporean people when it comes to work ethic. It has become inherent in us Singaporeans to always be the best in whatever we do, be it looking into small details or overseeing a top-priority task. The focus is to do a good job and improve the quality of output.
2. Fostering Interest in Technology
The young are very adept at using the Internet for research and finding how-to’s. However, interest in technology also entails exploring the potential use of applications and harnessing knowledge so work becomes more productive. For example, other than using your mobile phone for business communications, there are also numerous business apps and e-books available to help open your mind to new ideas and add useful competencies.
3. Encouraging Fun in the Workplace
Recent studies have suggested that employees with a sense of humor positively influence the mood of the workplace, and that employees are more productive when they they’re working in an office perceived to be fun. Thus, businesses should consider a healthy mix of activities to relieve stress and promote better working relationships, while improving productivity at the same time.
4. Promoting Health Consciousness
Especially for employees who work overtime often, work-related illnesses such as carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic lumbar pain, and obesity are becoming increasingly common. It would be a good idea to invest time in allowing employees to do simple exercises that aid blood circulation and relieve stress. Outside of work hours, encourage staff members to form running groups or engage in family fitness activities to improve overall well-being.
5. Emphasizing the Need to Be Organized
With employees having to multi-task in a small organization, confusion is a common problem that arises when they feel inundated with the work – more so when everything on their desk is labeled “urgent”. A study pointed out that workers become more productive if they know which tasks are critical to a company’s bottom-line. Therefore it is important to teach employees which areas of their job require prompt attention and how to prioritize the remaining tasks. Also, encourage the habit of forming a to-do list at the start of each day.
By bringing the subliminal work ethics of performing employees to light, company productivity can be viewed holistically as a way to achieve a balanced work life that ultimately benefits both employer and employee.