Get more with less…

By Denise Altman, MBA, CPA, CPBA

Today’s economy requires that you work smarter and get more from your existing team members.  Some companies are reducing staff, requiring even more productivity from those who remain.  It may be necessary, but it can be a disaster if not managed properly.

Think for a minute about a piece of mechanical equipment.  You know it has production limits, and you don’t expect it to produce beyond those limits.  If you want more from that equipment, you upgrade it, add components or make some other modification.  Yet, you may not think that way when it comes to your human equipment – your people.

Just like mechanical equipment, humans have a workload capacity.  If you want more, you have to equip them to give more.  Consider these “modifications” if you need to help your staff produce more:

·         Technical training – this is probably offered most often.  Training on concepts, techniques, and tools can make your team more effective and efficient.

·         Soft-skills training – some consider this less important, but it is at least as important as technical training.  Communicating with others effectively can increase efficiency and reduce stress for the whole team.  In this instance, you train one person and impact many.

·         Coaching – a good coach can help team members focus on what’s important, work through confusion and time management issues, and become more productive and content.  A coach provides a safe place for employees to work through challenges.  The support of a coach can make  employees more willing to take risks and reach beyond their comfort zones.  All of these things can make them more productive and less stressed.

·         Tools – your team needs good equipment to be able to produce effectively.  Is your computer equipment up to date?  Is your software sufficient for the job at hand?  How about your telephone equipment?  Small changes here can bring great returns.

Getting more from less doesn’t mean getting more for nothing.  Invest in your people so that you can maximize their potential and get a better return on your investment.

(Denise Altman is President of Altman Initiative Group, Inc. and Strike-Force Coaching.  Learn more about her coaching process at www.strikeforcecoaching.com or call 704-315-9090.)