A Sure Way To Increase Labor Productivity In The Workplace
Read More Great Management Articles
A Sure Way To Increase Labor Productivity In The Workplace
People have tried all sorts of different ways of increasing workplace productivity but most of them are not founded on scientific knowledge about human behavior. They have tried to use various incentives to increase output through bonus payments, presents and pay rises.
By: Peter Mitchell
People have tried all sorts of different ways of increasing workplace productivity but most of them are not founded on scientific knowledge about human behavior. They have tried to use various incentives to increase output through bonus payments, presents and pay rises.
By: Peter Mitchell
Most of the attempts have been short lived or failed at the outset. Other managers and leaders have tried prescribing levels of productivity and imposing them on the workforce. Predictably, these have not been successful. Other unsuccessful groups of managers and leaders have tried threats with the same result.
One of the problems that exist in most workplaces, is the number of distractions available to any employee. Text messaging, computer games, surfing the net, gossiping, spreading rumors, e-mailing friends and so on, are all activities which employees carry out instead of focusing on the task at hand. All these things divert attention from the behavior that will contribute to the success of the organization. It is impossible to monitor and prevent this increasing number of distractions.
The behavioral scientists have an answer. They know that behavior will always be attracted to the area of the work environment that provides the most positive reinforcement. People focus their behavior on activities that provide the reinforcement that they need. They will concentrate on a task or an activity that may not be what the manager or the leader requires. Given this situation the tendency is to punish or to give negative reinforcement to people who practice those unwanted activities.
It is much more effective to increase reinforcement for the important tasks than to tell people to concentrate or stay focused. If someone is doing routine work and receives little encouragement or reinforcement, they will become easily distracted. On the other hand, if they are doing routine work and receive feedback, encouragement and frequent reinforcement they will resist any distractions. Their focus will be firmly fixed on the job at hand.
One of the major causes of low productivity in industry, is the way the workforce is conditioned by its leadership. If there is a tendency to use negative reinforcement or punishment, discretionary effort will not be applied at all. Every single manager and supervisor should be taught the fundamentals of using positive reinforcement as a leadership tool because of its positive effect on productivity and profits.
The secret of increasing productive behavior is relatively simple. Firstly, make sure that people receive relevant and meaningful positive reinforcement several times each day. Secondly, remove or reduce reinforcement provided by distracting behavior and activities.
One of the problems that exist in most workplaces, is the number of distractions available to any employee. Text messaging, computer games, surfing the net, gossiping, spreading rumors, e-mailing friends and so on, are all activities which employees carry out instead of focusing on the task at hand. All these things divert attention from the behavior that will contribute to the success of the organization. It is impossible to monitor and prevent this increasing number of distractions.
The behavioral scientists have an answer. They know that behavior will always be attracted to the area of the work environment that provides the most positive reinforcement. People focus their behavior on activities that provide the reinforcement that they need. They will concentrate on a task or an activity that may not be what the manager or the leader requires. Given this situation the tendency is to punish or to give negative reinforcement to people who practice those unwanted activities.
It is much more effective to increase reinforcement for the important tasks than to tell people to concentrate or stay focused. If someone is doing routine work and receives little encouragement or reinforcement, they will become easily distracted. On the other hand, if they are doing routine work and receive feedback, encouragement and frequent reinforcement they will resist any distractions. Their focus will be firmly fixed on the job at hand.
One of the major causes of low productivity in industry, is the way the workforce is conditioned by its leadership. If there is a tendency to use negative reinforcement or punishment, discretionary effort will not be applied at all. Every single manager and supervisor should be taught the fundamentals of using positive reinforcement as a leadership tool because of its positive effect on productivity and profits.
The secret of increasing productive behavior is relatively simple. Firstly, make sure that people receive relevant and meaningful positive reinforcement several times each day. Secondly, remove or reduce reinforcement provided by distracting behavior and activities.
Peter Mitchell is a business consultant who has helped many businesses to lift their labor productivity in the workplace at little or low cost. His practical guide The Key To Productivity should be on every manager's desk and used to install your productivity improvement program. To find out more go to www.thekeytoproductivity.com.
Read More Great Management Articles
Customer Experience Management - High ROI By Leveraging Customer Data
Are Core Values Important In Customer Experience Management?
Accountability - The Rim Of The "Wheel Of Management"
Customer Experience Insights By Stepping Into The Customer's Shoes
Dancing With Time - Cha-Cha-Cha!
Are Core Values Important In Customer Experience Management?
Accountability - The Rim Of The "Wheel Of Management"
Customer Experience Insights By Stepping Into The Customer's Shoes
Dancing With Time - Cha-Cha-Cha!
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
