4 ways to boost productivity in your business

How do you boost productivity?

It's a question business owners have been asking themselves for years, and - unfortunately - there's no single, easy answer.

Your company is unique, and while you may face the same challenges as others in your industry, how you overcome them will be different.

Make it flexible

The rise of mobile devices has made it possible for employees to be connected at all times of the day and night. This is both a blessing and a curse, as it can lead to a working environment in which your staff never switch off and may, in fact, decrease productivity. However, if you use these devices to let employees set their own hours and work from home, this can have the opposite effect.

Keep it light

Did you know the kind of light your staff are exposed to - whether it's natural or artificial - can impact their productivity levels? According to a study by the American Psychological Association, natural light can help workers to feel more awake and focused, while artificial light can drain them of their energy and make them more stressed.

Wait for rain

An article published by Inc. in January revealed that, overall, staff perform tasks more quickly on rainy days than sunny ones. "To be precise, a one-inch increase in rain was related to a 1.3 percent decrease in worker completion time for each transaction," said Harvard Business School Associate Professor Francesca Gino, who conducted research on the matter.

Take a break

Many people are under the false impression that working through lunch will enable them to get more done. An article on LinkedIn refutes this, stating that a few minutes away from your desk could do wonders for your productivity.

Not being able to maintain productivity levels is just one of the risks business owners face day in, day out.

To protect your company against the more tangible hazards of severe weather events and financial loss, consider a business insurance policy.