We talked about how to successfully end the fourth quarter in a previous blog.
But circumstances as they are and with how much work there is at the end of the year, your team could have trouble staying productive. And you can’t really blame them.
There are ways to get your team on track without them experiencing burn out and in time for a much needed break for the holidays.
We’ve gathered a list of proven productivity tips for you and your team.
Reset priorities
Take stock of your goals for the rest of the year. What are the most important ones? What are the low-priority ones that can be moved to next year? What has to be done to achieve the important goals?
Once you’ve made the necessary distinctions, get your team together for a meeting. Motivate them by reminding them how much they have contributed to the company’s goals so far and how their continuous contributions can help to end the year on a high note.
It might also be helpful to gather everyone’s opinions on the new set of priorities and once that’s done, you can move on to creating a strategy.
Schedule less meetings
Most of the time, meetings could have been just an email. They waste a lot of time and it stops your team from getting their work done.
Unless you really have to get your team together, hold off from scheduling meetings too often. If you need to, make it as efficient as possible and make sure to only invite the people who really need to be there.
However, regular check-ins with your team are still important. People need to socialize and helping your team feel connection can contribute greatly to improving their productivity.
Track your progress
If you want to improve your productivity, you need to check your results at the end of every period. Track hours against tasks done and ask your team for any challenges they faced then try to tackle them in the next work cycle.
But also remember to be realistic. Make note of the dates you finish tasks and readjust any remaining dates that may be affected. If you find that there isn’t enough time to finish goals, rework your plan and extend your timeline if necessary.
Encourage short, frequent breaks
Working for long hours and with deadlines looming over shoulders can fast-track burnout. Encourage regular breaks away from desks and workstations. Let your team know you want their minds refreshed and clear. Make it a policy and remind them regularly.
Delegate efficiently
Get a good look at your team members’ workloads and check if there’s an uneven spread of work across your team. If there is, redistribute the balance and empower people to delegate tasks if they need to. This is a great way to help them be more productive and more collaborative.
Celebrate the wins
There’s a link between reward and productivity. Recognizing your team for their accomplishments and rewarding them is a great way to keep productivity high.
Commend a team member during your regular meetings and since everyone is working remotely, send vouchers or gifts in lieu of taking them out to lunch or an in-office celebration.
Prepare for peak productivity in 2022
Plan ahead for 2022 by making your virtual team even better. Remote Workmate can help assess your needs and find you the virtual assistant that’s just right for your business. We screen, vet, and interview potential candidates so that all you have to do is pick from the best.
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