Agile Working Can Improve Productivity And Recruitment
Agile working is a product of the digital era. Because of internet connections, and the increased reliance on computers for day to day tasks, workers are now able to operate in a greater variety of locations, in a range of ways.
As a company policy which promotes flexibility and freedom, agile working can offer many benefits to employees, and to businesses themselves. In this blog, we hone in on the improvements which can be seen in productivity thanks to agile working, and also cover the recruitment aspect, too.
Time management
Empowering employees to work when they want, how they want, and where they want more often is a way to increase productivity. That’s because it allows employees to manage their time better, according to the nature of the work they are undertaking. For workers who are balancing their job with a busy family life, the option to work from home, or at different times, can be a welcome one. In some industries, requiring employees to be present at their desk within a set time frame is no longer necessary, as individuals are able to calculate their own work demands better than anyone else.
Focus, collaborate, create
In sectors such as creative and media, jobs involve more than simply working away at a computer on executive desks. Collaboration is key – both with colleagues in a team, colleagues in other departments, and external partners. For this reason, the variety of different work spaces which can characterise agile working environments can be key to success. Some spaces, such as boardrooms and meeting pods, might be suitable for more formal meetings. Then there are lounge areas, featuring luxury furniture, which can be ideal for more relaxed discussions. Zones which are conducive to creation can also be important, giving those involved in areas such as design and artistic concepts a serene space where they can generate inspiring ideas.
Employee motivation
Agile working can certainly be considered an employee benefit of the 21st Century. Additional freedom in when, where and how work is done requires a degree of trust from employers in their workforce. When employees are given extra responsibility to manage their own time, rather than having to follow a set routine, it can increase their motivation and sense of importance. The result can be a more productive workforce which appreciates being trusted to manage their own schedules and responds by upping their work rate.
Attracting talent
Along with company healthcare, holiday allocation and pension schemes, agile working can now be seen as an aspirational employee benefit by job candidates. Workers might look enviously at friends who work for companies which implement agile working policies, and so the guarantee of additional freedom, responsibility and flexibility is one which can help to attract the best talent to a business. If you want to present your company as forward thinking and fun, agile working can certainly be a string to your bow.
Those are just a few reasons why agile working is gaining popularity with companies open to handing their employees more freedoms. Keeping employees feeling valued, motivated and part of an important project can go a long way to upping productivity.
