10 Practical Tips for Boosting Productivity for Deskless Workers

Unleashing the full potential of the deskless workforce is crucial for enhancing employee commitment, morale, and overall productivity within an organization. Simply instructing staff to be more productive falls short. Instead, organizations must inspire and guide their deskless workforce, illustrating the benefits of heightened productivity in the workplace.

Fostering a collaborative culture that values and celebrates the unique strengths of deskless employees is indispensable. When organizations establish an environment where deskless workers feel acknowledged, supported, and provided with necessary resources, they can unlock heightened levels of dedication and productivity. This necessitates recognizing the importance of deskless roles, understanding the distinct challenges they encounter, and implementing effective strategies to empower these individuals to excel in their positions.

Nevertheless, thriving organizations not only attract top talent but also adeptly manage and optimize the efficiency of their workforce. To assist organizations in elevating the productivity of deskless employees, let’s delve into some practical tips.

Tips for Deskless Employee Productivity

According to Deloitte, productivity is predicted to rise by 22% on average when deskless employees are given an intelligent and useful combination of technology to carry out their tasks. This statistic is just one aspect of boosting deskless employee productivity. There are several other ways to increase deskless employee productivity, including:

1. Prioritize and Plan Tasks

Setting priorities and making plans are essential to increasing deskless employee productivity. Developing a plan will enable deskless employees to stay focused on the most important tasks and move toward their goals systematically. Using time management tools, such as a calendar, planner, to-do list, and more, will assist them in prioritizing their most critical tasks first. In addition, the Eisenhower Matrix can help them decide which tasks to delegate to other team members if delegation is something they struggle with. 

2. Embrace Time Management Techniques

Effectively managing time helps boost deskless employee productivity. To do so, they can use the Pomodoro Technique, which involves splitting tasks into 25-minute intervals and taking short breaks in between. It can assist them in reaching their goals and making better use of their time. Additionally, they must track their time to identify productivity bottlenecks that result in inefficiencies and delays. Try to minimize multitasking and context switching, and motivate employees to concentrate on a single task and complete it as effectively as possible to be more productive and efficient. 

3. Take Breaks and Prioritize Well-being

Encouraging deskless workers to prioritize their well-being and take breaks consistently is necessary to boost their productivity. Deskless workers can stay engaged and avoid burnout by planning regular pauses between tasks. They must also eat a balanced diet, get adequate sleep, and exercise frequently for their mental and physical health. Furthermore, these workers can experience reduced stress by engaging in mindfulness exercises or relaxation methods like yoga and meditation.

4. Provide Training and Opportunities for Skill Development

Organizations must provide various opportunities for their workforce to grow professionally and contribute to the company’s overall success. A wise strategy to ensure that your staff is prepared to handle the fast-evolving economic landscape is to provide ongoing training. Training should not be limited to job-specific tasks. Maximum productivity requires soft skills like time management and organization, yet most people never get proper training in these crucial areas. Offering ongoing training shows your employees that you care about their future. Cultivating trust within your team is crucial for achieving optimal productivity.

Also Read: CMS for Deskless Workforce: Shaping the Future

5. Set Realistic Deadlines

Setting a deadline ensures that tasks are completed on time. Unrealistic timelines can have a significant impact on a team’s productivity. If deadlines are set too far ahead of time, the team may become unmotivated and put off tasks because they won’t feel as pushed. This may result in decreased team productivity and a cycle of missed deadlines. Remember that work usually grows to occupy the time allotted for completion, also known as Parkinson’s Law. Setting reasonable timelines is therefore essential to preventing Parkinson’s Law’s negative consequences and maintaining peak deskless employee productivity.

6. Leverage Technology and Automation

In a recent survey, almost 90% of workers reported that automation solutions improved their productivity, and 85% stated these technologies improved teamwork. By leveraging technology and automation in their daily tasks, deskless employees can complete their work effectively and efficiently without any human error. These employees may use mobile apps to manage various tasks in one place, communicate quickly, collect data, and more. Moreover, with the help of automation tools, they can avoid repetitive tasks, save resources, and free up valuable time.

7. Learn and Adapt Continuously

To increase deskless employee productivity in the workplace, they need to learn and adapt to the constantly changing environment. They must embrace new technologies and skills relevant to their work, such as learning about the latest applications, communication skills, and more. Deskless employees should also seek out training and development opportunities to upgrade their skills, which further enhances their productivity. Furthermore, deskless employees should be open to feedback and adapt their approach as and when needed.

8. Establish a Collaborative Environment

Collaboration is essential to encourage productivity and innovation. Employees are likely to be more involved if they cooperate and work as a team more often to achieve a mutual goal. This can promote open communication and a culture of cooperation. Organizations must ensure that workers feel comfortable sharing their concerns and assist them in delivering their best. You may also host workplace events and use collaborative tools and technology to improve teamwork, communication, and productivity to make collaboration easier.

Also Read: 6 Ways to Recognize Deskless Employees

9. Optimize Your Workspace

A well-designed and organized workspace not only streamlines tasks but also contributes to a more focused and efficient work environment. Ensure that the layout is ergonomically friendly, promoting comfort and reducing unnecessary strain. Adequate lighting and proper ventilation are also vital contributors to a conducive workspace. Encourage deskless employees to personalize their workstations, fostering a sense of ownership and comfort. Additionally, provide the necessary tools and technology to facilitate seamless communication and task execution.

10. Embrace Flexibility

Recognizing the diverse needs and responsibilities outside the workplace, organizations should adopt flexible work schedules and arrangements. This enables deskless workers to balance their professional and personal commitments more effectively, leading to increased job satisfaction and overall well-being. Offering options like remote work, flexible hours, and adaptable shifts not only acknowledges the dynamic nature of deskless roles but also empowers employees to manage their time efficiently. By prioritizing flexibility, organizations demonstrate a commitment to the holistic needs of their deskless workforce, fostering a positive work environment that contributes to heightened dedication and productivity.

Final Thoughts

By embracing technology, fostering a supportive work culture, and incorporating efficient communication methods, organizations can empower their deskless workforce to thrive in dynamic environments. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by these workers and providing tailored solutions not only improves productivity but also contributes to overall employee satisfaction and engagement. As businesses continue to evolve, prioritizing the well-being and productivity of deskless workers is not just a strategic imperative but a commitment to creating a workplace that values and supports every team member, regardless of their work setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can the productivity of employees be measured?

Productivity of deskless employees can be measured through task completion metrics and mobile app usage analysis, providing insights into work efficiency and engagement levels. Additionally, location-based tracking and output quality assessment offer valuable indicators of performance.

2. Does a successful onboarding process increase worker productivity?

Absolutely, a successful onboarding process significantly boosts worker productivity by facilitating a smooth transition into roles, fostering understanding of company expectations, and promoting positive relationships. It accelerates the time it takes for new employees to become fully productive, contributing to increased job satisfaction, engagement, and retention.

3. Can organizations provide wellness programs to support the overall well-being and productivity of deskless workers?

Yes, wellness programs can include physical health initiatives, mental health resources, and stress management support. Prioritizing well-being contributes to increased resilience and productivity among deskless workers.