Increased productivity in any department can boost a company’s bottom line, but some departments experience challenges when trying to create new processes or more efficiency. Everything will rise and fall on the leadership within the department, so knowing how to both motivate your employees and create a culture of growth can help improve your production. For the IT executive, the following strategies can be used to encourage your IT department personnel.
Set Goals
Your team should have goals for each quarter, but take these goals and put them into smaller, manageable chunks. Have different individuals assume responsibility for the difference chunks and let them manage the progress. If they encounter difficulties, be flexible when listening to their ideas or solutions.
Communicate Everything
Organization depends on communication, with the first step being the information needed to achieve the goals that have been established. Any background information and visionary information for projects or tasks should also be shared, as this information engaged employees and motivated them to be a part of the process. Your infrastructure should also promote collaboration, making it easy to identify network problems and grouping great minds for problem-solving.
Supply the Tools
Your employees will only be able to achieve what they have been trained and equipped to do. Whether you outsource projects for things to things like SAP managed services or cybersecurity companies, your employees need to know they have the tools and resources in place to succeed. Training courses, shadowing, mentoring, or the best in technology can assist your employees in meeting the goals established. Your tech for the working and communication should be able to be accessed simultaneously and easily shared with the right individuals.
Streamline the Workflow
Unnecessary tasks can keep your employees from working on what is really important. Whether its paperwork, forms, or repetitive steps in a process, use tech services or common sense to evaluate how necessary something may be. Micromanaging and excessive team meetings or reporting can reduce efficiency and lower morale. While these have a place within the work environment, too many and too much can divert attention and time from productive activities.
Provide Feedback
Both positive and negative feedback should be commonplace and consistent in your IT department. Positive feedback improves morale and motivates desired employee behaviors, while negative feedback can keep minor issues from turning into bigger problems.
Good leadership is where you start if you want to improve the production and output of your IT department. These other suggestions are additional ways to encourage change.
