How to stay productive as the end of the year approaches
As South African businesses race towards the year-end finish line, fatigue and the need to deliver against looming targets can hinder productivity, especially as the holidays approach. Fortunately, there are various methods to boost efficiency and productivity, one of which is introducing a hybrid work model, which allows employees to choose where and when they work best.
Hybrid working offers reduced commuting and a significant improvement in work-life balance., Employees can work closer to their homes and holiday homes, seeing more of their families and friends whilst working more productively, no matter where they are. A recent International Workplace Group (IWG) Hybrid & Healthy study found that working closer to home not only promotes a healthier lifestyle but also positively impacts mental health and stress levels
According to Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford economics professor and world-leading expert, hybrid working can boost productivity by a significant 3% to 4%. Key findings in another study done by IWG and Arup found that businesses empowering their employees to use local workspaces as part of their hybrid working approach could boost productivity by 11% over the next five years.
Many leading businesses have taken note; 63% of high-growth companies have adopted a 'productivity anywhere' model, while 83% of Fortune 500 companies use IWG’s flexible workspaces to enhance efficiency and support employee well-being.
In this article, we’ll explore more productivity-boosting techniques to help you see the year out as efficiently – and profitably – as possible.
6 productivity & motivation tricks to boost Q4 performance
Here are some methods, tools, and hacks to help your company end the year on a high note.
The Pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro technique is a time-management formula that can help improve motivation and gauge how much time to allot to different tasks.
The basic method is as follows:
● Choose a project or task you want to work on
● Set a stopwatch for 25-30 minutes and start working on the task
● When the timer runs out, take a short break
● Repeat
● Once you've completed four sessions, you can take an extended break
● Mark each 25-30-minute session so you can keep track of how much time a task is taking
This method benefits employees who find themselves easily distracted or tasked with repetitive work, as it helps break up periods of intense concentration and focus.
Endorsed by the 34th U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, this method categorises tasks based on urgency and importance. It places tasks in four priority boxes, ranging from immediate action to those that can wait or be delegated. By clearly organising tasks, it deters procrastination and reduces stress. This approach also ensures teams don't lose sight of significant long-term goals while handling urgent tasks.
Coined by Cyril Northcote Parkinson in 1955, this law suggests work expands to fit the time allotted. In his example, an individual with an entire day to send a postcard overcomplicated the simple task because there was no time constraint. This concept relates to the 'law of triviality,' where trivial matters consume more time than they should, and 'social loafing,' where group members exert less effort than when working alone.
To counteract this, set clear project intentions so employees understand their significance. Ensuring everyone understands the importance of their role in team tasks to prevent lax effort. Letting staff choose their work hours and setting can also boost focus and reduce procrastination.
Managing energy over time
Author James Clear emphasises the importance of managing energy rather than just time, as everyone has different peak productivity periods. Hybrid working supports this approach, allowing employees to dedicate whole days to focused work in a local flex space during their energy peaks and other days at the company's central office for team collaboration.
Employees may accomplish more in shorter bursts of high-focus work by focusing on energy instead of hours. Hybrid work enhances this by eliminating daily commutes, preserving energy for work rather than exhausting it on travel.
Preventing distractions
To enhance efficiency, it's vital to minimise distractions. One approach is to have workers switch their devices to aeroplane mode when deep focus is needed. But the environment also plays a pivotal role. Flexspaces provides a solution with tailored areas for different tasks. Whether someone needs a quiet zone for concentration or a collaboration area for teamwork, these spaces allow employees to match their environment with their job, ensuring optimal productivity.
Never a better time to go hybrid
To sum up, you can enhance productivity in various ways to meet the demands of the end-of-year grind. Many have found that, as workloads intensify, hybrid helps their teams produce their best work while giving them the freedom to manage their schedules and work environments.
With that in mind, it may be time for your company to join the hybrid revolution. Explore IWG’s 5000 locations worldwide, designed to support your business's productivity drive as the year draws to a close.
About International Workplace Group PLC
International Workplace Group is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of International Workplace Group’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.
International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries, and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.
Through our brands, including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the International Workplace Group app.
For more information
Visit www.iwgplc.com and for more information on partnering with International Workplace Group, see: https://www.iwgplc.com/develop-a-location
