Now you might not want to admit it, but you probably know that the summer months aren’t best known for being the most productive of seasons in the workplace. With so many employees heading off on holiday, or dreaming of more exotic locations than your offices, output can often take a bit of a slide in the wrong direction. But with the final quarter of the year waiting round the corner, to make sure you smash your goals it’s worth taking a bit of time out to assess how you can get things back on the right track.
So here we share a few ideas of what you can do, in practical terms, to beat the summer productivity slump NOW…
Reassess goals and priorities at individual and team levels
All bosses like to think that their staff have stretching but achievable milestones to work towards, and that they know exactly what’s expected of them when it comes to carrying out their day to day roles. But when’s the last time that you spoke to your staff to make sure that everyone’s on the same page? Might be longer ago than you thought.
Now’s a great time to consider whether current objectives are still fit for purpose, and ensure that your managers are getting together with their teams to regroup and prepare for a big fourth quarter.
Check that all your policies are still fit for purpose
Up to date policies aren’t just a ‘nice to have’. If something goes wrong in your business, then they can be the difference between you carefully navigating out of the situation with the least possible amount of fuss, and causing a load of irreparable damage to your budget and your reputation.
So DON’T wait until you’re faced with a problem. Take some time to look at your people policies, and ask yourself whether they’re still relevant, compliant with any new legislation, and clearly communicated to your workforce.
Get an HR health check carried out by a professional
Keeping on top of people management issues in your workplace can be tricky. You want to be a good employer. You want to get the most out of your staff, and you want to make sure that your business is a great place to work. But between client meetings, marketing and everything else that needs your attention, it’s easy to take your eye off the ball. We’ve all been there.
Having an HR Health Check carried out by an experienced consultant could really help you nip any potential problems in the bud, pinpoint opportunities for increasing productivity and morale, and ensure that your actions are aligned with your objectives, so your all moving in the right direction.