5 Tips for Creating a Positive Working Atmosphere to Increase Productivity

Guest Post by Sofia Lockhart

Happier workplaces lead to higher productivity and better staff retention rates. The question is how to improve the staff's happiness within the company. It is clear that staff will perform better in an environment where they are happy, motivated, encouraged, and accepted, and this is the area where we want to focus our attention.

The process of getting (and keeping) your workforce happy and focused will take some time, but the results will be worthwhile and will give your employees a joyful experience that will help them to want to do more for the company. The five ideas below will set you on the right track to turning your workplace into a positive place.

1. Create an enjoyable workspace

Creating a pleasant atmosphere in the workplace is a contribution of many factors, none more so than the space your team works in. Plan an environment that will foster better communication between your team members and management. Use an open plan layout that will bring workers closer together but still give them the quiet space they need to do their job. Use office lighting to create a pleasant working environment that people will feel comfortable spending time in for extended periods. Buy ergonomic office furniture to help people suffer less from lousy posture or sore backs, keeping them happier, healthier, and more productive. Use plants and office furniture to create a more harmonious atmosphere that staff will feel positive working in.

2. Provide the best equipment

Making an investment in technology or equipment that will lessen the workload of staff members is essential. Upgrading from a standard printer machine to one that allows employees to use apps with which to print can significantly reduce wasted time. Keep your company laptops and PC software updated with the latest releases to ensure that staff has the best tools to do the job. Use any from a plethora of digital tools that will help you and the staff to collaborate on timesheets, work management, vacation days, customer management, and many other tasks. By providing employees with the latest technology, you will streamline costs and let your workers concentrate on the crucial tasks that generate income.

3. Engage with your staff

Your staff is your most valuable asset in the company, and you should treat them in a way that expresses that. Involve staff members in the decision-making process and explain why individual decisions need to be made; keeping them informed will always make them happier employees. Engage with your team on what their immediate and future goals are and try to help them in achieving said goals. Create weekly group meetings to allow everyone to contribute to improving company performance and employee satisfaction. Get to know the people who work with you, and you will gain more insight into how best to motivate them and help them produce their best work.

4. Reward achievements

Keep your staff interested in work by providing rewards for good work. Many companies already have a yearly bonus scheme in place, but by adding a few monthly or weekly rewards, you will keep people keen to work. You don't need to break the bank to fund the prizes. The staff prizes can be as simple as a day off, or an early finish, or perhaps tickets for a show or dinner. You can also reward dedicated staff with additional training opportunities and courses that will give you better-skilled staff, and they get a tangible career progression. Always give praise when an employee does exceptional work or gives their spare time to help the company. It has been shown that companies with happier staff perform better than those with disgruntled employees.

5. Trust your team

Understand that you can't run a company alone, and you need to delegate tasks out to other people. Allow your staff members to shine by giving them full trust over functions delegated to them. Encourage all the employees to give opinions and have those heard in group meetings. By placing trust on the shoulders of your workers, they will feel part of the company's family and so give their best work. The staff are the most essential part of any company and should be included in making the decisions that determine how they work.

The main focus of implementing these strategies is to improve your employee's well-being, which in turn will improve your company. People like to be involved, so take care to ensure that all staff members have a voice and a platform to raise concerns or offer suggestions. Understand what your worker's goals are and be a positive part of helping them achieve them, and you will gain more trust and better insights into what helps improve employee motivation and pride in their work. Your employees are the main assets of the company, and you should put in the time and effort needed to make them happier at work and, by extension, outside of work too.

Sofia Lockhart is a passionate writer from Sydney. She also enjoys decorating houses and engaging in home renovation projects. That is why she loves sharing her experience and advice with other people through her writing. Besides this, she loves technology and gadgets which can help us get through a busy workday.