Productivity is a much-discussed topic. There are time-tracking tools, specific work methods, and motivational apps that all try to increase how much work a person can get done in a day. However, in addition to a team member’s individual decisions, the work environment can play a huge role in output. Fortunately, it’s easy to positively influence how much your team accomplishes while on the clock.

• Ensure They Have Well-Functioning Equipment

Equipment that works well will help people get more done with their efforts. However, if it is in poor condition or has non-functioning parts, the things people use could bring them more hassles than assistance. Start with the basics and see where room for improvement exists. For example, investing in new wheels for carts could facilitate moving heavy goods from one place to another. There are also puncture-free options that allow you to avoid flat tires. 

You should also start or improve an inspection program that makes it easier to see when it’s time to replace whole pieces of equipment or parts. For example, create a checklist for each user to refer to at certain periods. Then, inform them of which parties to contact when they see a worn component or other problem.

• Give and Get Feedback

Many people naturally keep performing as they always have unless they get feedback that encourages them to do something differently. That’s why it’s crucial to give constructive comments to your team members that reward them for jobs well done or explain how they could become even more productive. For example, you could say, “Great job putting on protective equipment before starting that task, Chris! That behavior helps us avoid accidents and work stoppages.”

Try to be both specific and timely when providing feedback. Only saying “Well done!” may make people misinterpret what made you pleased. Additionally, take the time to ask for feedback from your team. They may shed light on things you had not thought about previously, such as ineffective processes or imbalanced workloads that make it difficult for them to reach their full potential.

• See Productivity as a Process

It’s not realistic to think people can become more productive overnight. Similarly, you may not be able to achieve goals by changing only one thing. Realize that better productivity is a goal to achieve over weeks and years, not hours or days.

In closing, know that getting the kinds of gains you truly want may take much longer than you expect. That’s okay as long as you keep seeing progress. Aim to have a realistic viewpoint and understand that good things often happen incrementally. Such a mindset will help you and your team succeed.