5 ways to work less and produce more

Sometimes the key to productivity isn’t necessarily working longer hours; it’s about working smarter. Business growth expert Meridith Elliott-Powell says there are five simple things you can do to work less and produce more.

1 Understand how your company makes money
By making money, Meridith doesn’t just mean following budgets. You should understand how your company keeps the money coming in – the sales cycle, the overhead costs and profit margins.

2 Know your value
Once you understand what keeps the company ticking, you’ll have a better idea of how your role fits into the grand scheme of things and how you can help. Pass this knowledge on to other members of your team and let them know every one of them adds value to the business.

3 Be careful what you say
As a PA or EA you’re in a position of influence and you might even be in charge of a team. That means people listen to what you say. Focus on your company’s goals and the bigger picture to keep people engaged and working to their fullest potential.

4 Let your actions do the talking
It’s true that actions speak louder than words. Set an example for your team by making everything you do about reaching the company’s goals. And if you have the ability to do so, reward your team for doing the same. Perks are the best motivator.

5 Get the team involved
Don’t try to solve everything on your own. Ask for your team’s opinions and ideas to engage them and encourage them to think. People get a lot of satisfaction out of being listened to.

Read the original article from Forbes at onforb.es/1X8BoTQ