One of the biggest buzzwords in business is productivity. A constant struggle for doing better and going bigger, productivity is often the one common struggle of all sorts of businesses worldwide. Simply understood as making the best use of available assets for the best possible outcomes, productivity in business entails the efficient use of all assets and inputs for greater output. A desirable attribute to say the least, productivity is the all in one solution for all business problems, or at least, is perceived as such. Although it is known as the key to success, being productive isn’t always that easy and can be extremely difficult to pursue. There are many complications and obstacles in the dynamics of business that prevent productivity.

With all that goes on in an organization, from managing resources to the constant struggle of making sure all tasks are being performed on a daily basis, productivity or at least the struggle for it, somehow gets lost along the way and can be tedious to pursue. Although it’s a generally hard task for everyone, there are some organizations that are better at pursuing productivity than others. Through considerable research, there have been identified certain factors that when addressed can lead to higher productivity which are discussed below;

Technology
A blessing yet a curse, technology is something that is a necessary evil in today’s world. Can’t live without it but can’t live with it, technology is a major distraction not just in personal lives but in the workplace as well. From social media and responding to people on the go to constant flow of information through a singular beep of a notification, we have all become slaves to technology despite its many benefits. According to a study, the average American adult spends around 11 hours a day on social media; no wonder it is a threat to productivity. By minimizing the ‘noise’ or distraction of social media, workplaces can set themselves up for higher productivity.

Lack of clarity in goals
Perhaps the biggest culprit in the workplace that curtails productivity is a lack of clarity in vision and goals. While the executives in an organization may know what it is they want for their business in the long-run, the same clarity needs to be communicated to the employees. Once people know where they have to go, they can help create efficient strategies on how best to get there. With all the distractions in the workplace, clarity in goals is a saving grace that motivates employees and puts them on the track to success.

Overworking employees
One of the biggest factors that prevent employees from being dedicated to their work or motivated to perform is being overworked. When someone feels that they’re not only undervalued and underappreciated but also that their work lacks purpose, most of the times it stems from being overworked. Sometimes a small break can not only de-stress people but can help them re-evaluate their work. The importance of small breaks, incentives and appreciation cannot be stressed enough and can prevent employee burnout, all of which is crucial for productivity.