Loss of productivity impacts your business, from stressing out other attentive workers to causing poor sales. Teach your workers about productivity vs. efficiency. If you want to improve your time management, keep reading.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to encourage your team to build better work habits. Improve workplace protocols surrounding productivity, and teach your team new skills.

Are you looking to understand more about time management? Check out the tips below.

Trying to Define Productivity

Productivity will vary from one business to another. There are differences in labour and capital intensity.

A productive employee works hard, stays focused, and doesn’t get distracted. They might use productivity tools. Productivity will measure the output.

What Is Efficiency?

Efficiency refers to how well someone uses their resources to gain and output. When focusing on efficiency, you often achieve the same result with fewer resources.

Companies that would like to improve labour efficiency look at reducing the hours. They also try to reduce the budget and aim for the same output. The company usually does this to save and boost profitability.

Efficiency zones in on the resources invested in getting the results.

For example, fiction writers might work on a few chapters throughout the day. If you want to finish your new manuscript in 30 working days, you’ll need to determine the average amount of words you write.

Can you write the right amount of words every day that are well-researched and edited?

What happens if your publisher informs you to finish the blog posts in 20 business days? You will need to complete the same amount of work in less time.

You might finish your manuscript but then worry the quality and research isn’t there. Completing the same kind of work with less time won’t always result in the same result.

What’s the Connection Between Efficiency and Productivity?

Productivity refers to completing more work at the same time chunk. Efficiency refers to doing the same amount of work but in less time. They are two separate ideas, but they are interdependent.

Productivity relates to quantity while efficiency refers to quality.

If there’s resource scarcity, the work process isn’t as efficient and will reflect in the output. Productivity depends on the resources and how you use your time.

When you add efficiency to productivity, you get an excellent result.

Increasing Productivity for Project Managers

Productivity’s boosted by streamlining the processes and getting rid of time wasters. Efficiency will improve a project by using the best practices at work and utilizing technologies.

For instance, you can prevent losing important data, conflict on time off requests, and the hassle of having to manually update a spreadsheet by using an efficient leave management software like Timetastic.

A project manager might evaluate their employee’s progress on a project. Are there noticeable areas where improvements could get made? The manager will get rid of wasteful steps when possible.

A business will have standardized work procedures. This helps employees know what the owner expects of them, and it helps them finish tasks fast.

Try using efficient technology. Resource planning systems will help a team improve efficiency and automate more straightforward tasks.

Create an Excellent Work Routine

Look at creating a work routine, and stick to this every day. A set time management routine will help you avoid distractions and stay on task.

Keep your workstation well-organized. Having clutter on your desk will often create distractions.

You should know where to find essential files or notes and pens. It would help if you also looked at cleaning away the clutter from your workplace.

Take breaks during the day. A short five-minute break can do wonders for your concentration. You could get up and go for a short walk around the office or stretch. Drink some water or warm up your coffee.

People often report that they feel more refreshed after the break, even if it’s a short one.

Why Productivity Shouldn’t Be the Only Goal

If increasing productivity is your only goal, you could end up with issues. You don’t want to burn out your workers by giving them an unattainable goal.

Your team won’t be able to keep producing the same amount of work or quality. Your workers will need to recover from the intensely stressful season.

Don’t overwork your workers. They will burn out and want to find another business.

Focusing Too Much on Efficiency

Focusing too much on efficiency will have a similar effect. The manager might feel excited about new processes. Yet, there are rules for a reason and specific standardized work goals.

Create an efficient workplace. Don’t get fixated on disrupting things all the time. You could end up adding more obstacles.

As a business manager, you should try to find a balance between the two.

Digital Tools Can Improve Productivity

People see digital tools can now help their productivity levels.

People will use different work software to help track progress on projects. Some people will use apps like https://setapp.com/apps/step-two to keep up with their to-do lists.

There are new gadgets and apps that can help you organize your work tasks. Encourage your team to try out different tools. They might find one software that suits their needs better.

Comparing Productivity vs. Efficiency

Did you find this guide helpful on productivity vs. efficiency? Understanding how these two terms work together can help your business grow.

Encourage your workers to take breaks daily. Try using time management tools to improve your focus. Bring in a consultant who can teach everyone about productivity and efficiency.

If you want to learn more business tips and leadership facts, check out the resources on the blog today.