If you head up a team, have recently set up your own flourishing business or work for a more mature organisation, you will understand that productivity levels can sometimes hit a brick wall. Although you’ll understand that reassessing your priorities and giving your “to do” list an overhaul can provide a short term solution, changes which filter through the organisation are the ones you need to be making for a long lasting, sustainable future.

1. If you head up a team, have recently set up your own flourishing business or work for a
more mature organisation, you will understand that productivity levels can sometimes hit a
brick wall. Although you‟ll understand that reassessing your priorities and giving your “to do”
list an overhaul can provide a short term solution, changes which filter through the
organisation are the ones you need to be making for a long lasting, sustainable future.
More and more up and coming businesses, especially those with a creative flair are turning
their backs to practices considered more traditional, instead opting for a more forward
thinking, positive atmosphere which motivates and inspires.
A company who lives and breathes this productive and positive mantra is digital marketing
agency Silverbean, who strive to leverage their clients‟ online strategy.
Our friend, Tim Pike, who is a search marketing exec over at the firm shares five ways they
make sure everyone is top of their game; relevant for any business regardless of size or
sector:
1.
Stop, collaborate and listen
Everyone has deadlines they‟ve got to meet. Conference calls at 9am that just won‟t wait,
so putting it all on hold in order to have a weekly get together with your colleagues may be
the last thing you want to do. You may be reluctant to be prised away from your desk, but
by having regular brainstorming sessions and progress meetings you will have a stronger,
more efficient and inventive team. As a result you‟ll discover clearer communication and
collaboration within your business, and a team that are prepared to help each other out
when necessary. Simple, web-based team coordination systems push collaboration levels
even further.
Eliminating and addressing problems before they escalate or have the opportunity to
develop is the underlying element here.
2.
Cultivate your culture

2. Whenever you have more than one person working in an office, some kind of culture will
develop. Simply put, the happier and more satisfied your employees are at work, the more
productive and engaged they will be with the mission of the organisation. Trust is one vital
aspect of a company‟s culture. Encourage staff to take ownership of projects and creative
ideas, offer opinions, and develop new interests and skills.
Where you don‟t have to go as far as the likes of Google, with bowling games in work-hours
and dedicated snooze areas, Silverbean tries to create a fun atmosphere to strengthen their
team, encourage sociability, and get staff to come together in situations that both interest
and challenge us
3.
Get competitive
A bit of friendly competition never did anyone any harm. If either you or your team are
finding it hard to move forward a bit of rivalry could be just the thing. Split your departments
into teams and you are sure to immediately see longer working hours and better results.
The accolade of being the best or the satisfaction of beating a rival peer will motivate
employees tenfold.
4.
Clock watch
If you‟ve got the culture right then neither you nor your employees will be metaphorically
watching the clock. What we‟re talking about here is monitoring how you are spending your
time, and specifically relevant to agencies, how much is being allocated to each client.
Silverbean ensures that all members of staff use a time tracking app. Follow suit and you‟ll
be able to effectively plan and understand your contracts, usage and resources.
5.
Motivate with rewards

3. The Bean vs. Food was a popular contest this year with sampling a range of foodstuffs
including hot-dogs; Pringles; Century eggs; anchovies/sardine broth; tinned (wet) dog food,
and lastly some hot-sauce and raw naga chillies.
The bottom line is that people like to feel valued, and feeling valued leads to a motivated
workforce. Where financial rewards are an obvious incentive guaranteed to get results, it
isn‟t always the best or most practical option for smaller businesses. Office parties, social
activities outside the office and even weekends away are great alternatives, but often
positive recognition is all you need.
Silverbean hosts its yearly „Beaner‟ awards in recognition of staff members who have gone
the extra mile, and on a more frequent basis, closes its doors an hour earlier on a Friday in
order to host its infamous “Bean Time” (team building, games, puzzles, drinking games etc.)
to honour employees‟ contribution to a successful week.
No matter which avenue you decide to take, try to find the right combination of incentives,
apps or tools to lighten the load and drive forward a positive work environment – you’ll
soon reap the benefits.
- See more at: http://blog.apphappening.com/the-top-5-ways-to-make-sure-sht-getsdone/#sthash.W6dWh0se.dpuf