Improved Workforce Productivity

Clearing the Backlog

What is Teamwork?

Teamwork

"Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success. "~ Unknown

Benefits of Succesful Teamwork

• Improvements in participants' attitudes, motivation and personal satisfaction

• greater clarity in expressing ideas through group discussion• Better understanding by individuals of the nature of their contribution

– and of the needs of other team members• More efficient use of resources – especially time• Greater optimism – by focusing on positive outcomes and putting

less weight on problems• A wider range of ideas rather than individuals working in isolation• More effective responses to changes – improved trust and

communication help a team to adapt to new circumstances• Shared team goal• Elicits a blame-free environment• Less conflict

Psychology of Productivity

• Flow theory - full immersion on task and uninterrupted focus; one of the keys to true productivity where you accomplish important and long-lasting things.

Productivity

Project momentum – the shifting energy of a team in pursuit of a project objective -- is what keeps a project rolling and productivity levels high even if team motivation wanes.

Steps to Clearing A Backlog

• Step 1 - Isolate the Backlog

• Step 2 - Have a focused goal

• Step 3 - Achieve it

• Step 4 - Maintenance

Strategy

VS

The 1 week 'blitz it' strategy

• A daily target established at the beginning of the day. Execution of the plan until 16:00 (30mins emails/30mins returning calls)

• 3.5x Education Officers

• e.g. CPD Validations, Portfolio Orders, emails

Email Handling

• Registration and Support Staff

• CPD and Specialist

Telephone calls

• Allocate 30 mins (16:30 - 17:00) towards returning arranged call backs?

• Redirecting to website and email - crucial

Benefits of Clearing The Backlog

• Crucial for making sizeable dent.

• Creates aims which increase focus.

• Less pressure on whole department

Further reading

• http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/influence-teamwork-employee-productivity-14850.html

• http://email.about.com/od/netiquettetips/qt/et033105.htm

• http://markforster.squarespace.com/blog/2009/8/31/backlog-method.html

Thanks for listening!