Productivity is a term many executives, managers, and leaders focus on when it comes to measuring performance. And, for many, productivity was usually something that could be seen in person. However, in the digital age and with the expansion of remote work, the face-to-face productivity measurement changed.
Enter 2020.
Coming out of the pandemic, many companies adopted a remote-working operation, whether offered 100% or through a hybrid model. With this change, executives, managers, and leaders now had to figure out a new way to measure the productivity they initially did when everyone was in-house.
If the pandemic taught businesses anything, it’s that people get stuff done at home, with studies showing an increase in productivity each month when comparing 2020 to 2019. In addition, the average start time between January 2020 and January 2021 went from 8:24am to 7:46am, and the average end of the workday time went from 5:31pm to 6:12pm. These numbers prove that people work longer when a commute is cut out of the equation, and they are in the comfort of their own home office.
So, how exactly should executives, managers, and leaders go about measuring productivity in a post-pandemic, remote-first working environment?
- Define Clear KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
Communication is crucial when you have people working in different locations, and one way to clearly communicate is to list KPIs for each role. For example, if you have someone working remote who is a salesperson, you could track the number of phone calls they make or the emails they trade with clients, along with the sales they bring in each day.
- Use a Project Management Program
With communication being key in a remote world, use a program that allows everyone to see what tasks are being worked on, who’s working on them, where they are in the process, and when they will be completed. This is a great way to keep everyone on the same page and provides visibility to the inner workings of a company.
- Create Goals or Milestones
Going back to the salesperson example, designate what numbers they need to hit each day regarding the number of phone calls they make or emails they send. Creating goals and milestones is important when it comes to larger projects that are worked on over time. This is because it gives the employee and employer a look at what’s accomplished.
- Set Deadlines
When there’s a project looming, make sure you have a solid deadline associated with it and that it’s communicated with those who need to be in the know. From a productivity standpoint, having a deadline helps to stick to a plan with a visualized finish line in mind.
These tips are overarching and can be applied to any professional, but there are also more specific metrics that should be measured depending on someone’s role. Returning to the salesperson example, here are metrics more specific to that position.
- Calls Per Day – Number of calls made or appointments had on a daily basis
- Closed Deals – Number of clients or customers committed by signing on the bottom line
- Closed On Call One – Number of deals closed on the first call or at the first appointment
- Monthly Revenue – Amount of sales (money) brought in monthly
- Lead Source – Determining channels where leads are coming from (email, social, etc.)
How has productivity changed since the pandemic in your industry? What is the impact on your job and responsibilities? Start the conversation on LinkedIn and check out Do You Know When to Turn Down a Job Offer?
