To help you boost productivity and engagement in your technology company, we asked CEOs and co-founders this question for their best initiatives. From implementing an interactive e-learning platform to establishing core working hours, here are the top nineteen practices these leaders shared to enhance employee productivity and engagement. Here are proven strategies for increasing employee productivity and engagement in the tech industry:
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- Implement Interactive E-Learning Platform
- Streamline Workflows With Project Management
- Prioritize Transparency and Open Communication
- Leverage AI for Personalized Workflows
- Conduct Comprehensive Needs Assessments
- Use Micro-Update System for Reports
- Encourage Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Implement Unlimited Paid-Time-Off Policy
- Offer Flexible Work Schedules
- Introduce Skill-Enhancement Workshops
- Allow Flexible “Innovation Time”
- Make Team Meetings Productive
- Hire Communications Specialist for Best Practices
- Create Fun Virtual Environment
- Set Up “Continual Improvement” Board
- Create Culture of Recognition and Rewards
- Promote Health and Well-Being
- Establish Core Working Hours
- Implement Holistic Wellness Program
Implement Interactive E-Learning Platform
I implemented an interactive e-learning platform to enhance our management training program, focusing on productivity and engagement strategies. The platform featured simulations, quizzes, and real-world scenarios that kept the learning experience dynamic and practical.
Managers found the interactive elements particularly helpful in applying new skills directly to their roles. This initiative led to more confident and capable leaders, fostering a work environment where productivity and engagement thrived.
Kyran Schmidt, Cofounder, Outverse
Streamline Workflows with Project Management
It helps that we’ve built a project-management platform because getting to use it to organize and streamline our own workflows is the cherry on top. We can collaborate in one centralized spot, visualize workloads, and see timelines for short-term and long-term projects for better resource planning.
It’s much easier to manage productivity when you get rid of as much red tape as possible and leave more space for collaboration. But employees also stay more engaged when they aren’t forced to do things the hard way every time. When you make centralized communication and collaboration simple, it’s a pleasure to connect and work together rather than a burden.
Elisa Montanari, Head of Organic Growth, Wrike
Prioritize Transparency and Open Communication
At our company, we prioritize transparency and open communication across all levels of the organization. We regularly hold “Open Floor” meetings where team members can discuss their projects, challenges, and ideas with the entire company, including the leadership team. This practice not only keeps everyone informed about what’s happening across the company but also fosters a culture of trust and inclusiveness. Encouraging open dialogue ensures that employees feel valued and heard, which significantly boosts engagement and commitment to the company’s goals.
Alari Aho, CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
Leverage AI for Personalized Workflows
Implement AI-driven personalized workflows. We leverage artificial intelligence to analyze each team member’s work pattern, strengths, and preferences to create highly-customized workflows optimized for their productivity and job satisfaction.
We developed an in-house AI tool that gathers data on how our employees interact with their tasks, tools, and colleagues. The tool tracks time spent on tasks, peak productivity times, and preferred communication styles. We analyze the data collected using machine-learning algorithms to identify patterns and insights unique to each team member.
Based on the insights, our AI system suggests highly-personalized workflows for each employee. This usually includes recommendations on the best times for deep work, preferred modes of communication, optimal times for meetings, and break times to avoid burnout.
Mitchell Cookson, Co-Founder, AI Tools
Conduct Comprehensive Needs Assessments
One key initiative we introduced to enhance employee productivity and engagement was a comprehensive needs assessment before rolling out new programs. We realized that investing time and money in various initiatives without understanding employee expectations often led to mismatched solutions that did not resonate with the team.
To address this, we implemented a systematic approach to gather detailed feedback from employees through surveys and focus groups. This data-driven method allowed us to identify and prioritize the initiatives that truly aligned with their needs and preferences. By measuring employee needs upfront, we were able to focus our resources on initiatives that had a meaningful impact.
This not only improved engagement and productivity but also contributed to a noticeable reduction in turnover. Moreover, addressing the most pressing concerns based on employee feedback helped alleviate work-related pressure, as the solutions were tailored to tackle specific pain points effectively. This approach ensured that our investments and efforts were targeted and impactful.
Stijn van der Vat, CEO & Founder, Deepler
Use Micro-Update System for Reports
We use a micro-update system for our daily reports. Every morning, everyone on the team submits a 100-word update to the team leader. The update is categorized into three parts:
- Completed Tasks – Bullet points on what tasks they did the previous day.
- Current Focus – What they will be working on today.
- Challenges – Any issues they are facing and the support they need.
Updates are meant to be actionable, not a formality. Therefore, we avoid unnecessary tasks that take up too much time and slow anyone down. Everyone gets enough time to focus, which encourages productivity. Also, knowing what everyone is working on helps team leaders delegate tasks better and more effectively. It avoids micromanagement and, consequently, increases employee engagement.
Serhii Antoniuk, CEO, LITSLINK
Encourage Cross-Departmental Collaboration
An initiative that has had the most significant impact in boosting employee productivity and engagement is cross-departmental collaboration. For every new project that we embark on, we ensure to add members of different departments whose roles align with the project. This initiative started as a way of ensuring all our employees get to know what goes on in other departments of the company and get a big picture of how individual components make a whole.
However, we achieved immense success with it. Many of our employees shared positive feedback about the initiative and requested a continuation. Since its start, we’ve noted improved productivity, especially when a project has to pass through multiple departments. Having insiders already on the project makes its implementation much simpler. Additionally, employees have improved their collaboration and chemistry.
Clooney Wang, CEO, TrackingMore
Implement Unlimited Paid-Time-Off Policy
One initiative I introduced to boost productivity is implementing an unlimited paid-time-off policy. My team works hard, often pulling 12+ hour days, so ensuring adequate rest is key. Since implementing this policy, employee satisfaction has risen 38%, and project turnaround time has decreased by over a week.
I also make employee growth and learning a top priority. My team has access to an annual $5,000 professional development fund for pursuing certifications, attending conferences, and engaging in continued learning. Over 90% of employees use this fund, bringing fresh skills and innovative thinking into their roles.
Finally, I hold biweekly one-on-one meetings with each team member. This gives them a chance to discuss any obstacles to their productivity or engagement and determine solutions. It also allows me to provide guidance and mentorship, offering advice for overcoming challenges in their roles. These meetings have been instrumental in boosting both productivity and employee retention.
Umair Majeed, CEO, Datics AI
Offer Flexible Work Schedules
One initiative we introduced was the implementation of flexible work schedules combined with remote-work options. This approach allowed our team members to work during their most productive hours, catering to their individual peak performance times, which varied across the team. This flexibility not only enhanced overall productivity but also improved work-life balance, leading to higher employee satisfaction and retention.
Dinesh Agarwal, Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Introduce Skill-Enhancement Workshops
We’ve introduced skill-enhancement workshops to boost employee productivity and engagement. These workshops focus on upskilling our team in the latest technologies, techniques, and industry best practices. By investing in our employees’ continuous learning, we ensure they remain at the forefront of advancements in CNC press brakes and fiber laser cutters.
These sessions also provide a platform for employees to share their expertise, fostering a collaborative learning environment. The hands-on training and real-world applications help our team members feel more confident and capable in their roles. Ultimately, these workshops have not only improved individual performance but also strengthened our overall company culture by emphasizing growth and development.
Cameron Lee, CEO, ACCURL
Allow Flexible ‘Innovation Time’
One initiative I’ve implemented to boost employee productivity and engagement is a flexible “Innovation Time” program. This allows our team members to dedicate some of their work hours to exploring new technologies, researching emerging threats, or developing innovative security solutions.
By giving our employees the freedom to pursue their interests within the field, we’ve seen an increase in creative problem-solving and the development of cutting-edge tools that have directly benefited our clients. This program has not only improved productivity but has also led to several patentable ideas and strengthened our position as industry leaders.
To complement this initiative, we’ve also established a peer-recognition system that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing. Employees can nominate their colleagues for monthly awards based on their contributions to projects, innovative ideas, or exceptional teamwork. These recognitions are shared company-wide and come with tangible rewards such as additional paid time off or professional development opportunities.
Christian Espinosa, Founder and CEO, Blue Goat Cyber
Make Team Meetings Productive
I made team meetings productive. Every organization experiences a huge waste of energy and resources when people hold useless and boring meetings that don’t engage participants at all, and, what’s worse, fail to produce results. I introduced an initiative to organize meetings that would leave my team motivated and energized.
I took my time to learn how to create amazing engagement during virtual meetings since we’re a fully-remote company. I don’t just talk to people—I find interesting ways to connect them to the essence of the conversation. I always prepare opening questions that bring my team together and keep in mind that, first and foremost, they are people, not figures holding meetings for an hour a day.
So I found new ways to express myself and broke groups into duos or trios to encourage everyone to actively participate. Most importantly, we have fun together, learn together, snack together (even virtually). I involve my team members in the planning and execution of meetings as well. All of this encouraged my employees to use logic, heart, and soul, and now we all experience much greater satisfaction and engagement.
Increasing employee engagement and productivity should be at the top of the list for most business leaders and every manager’s mind. It’s just common sense—engaged employees stay with a company much longer, work harder, and are highly productive, happy, and loyal. Disengaged employees have none of these things. When you do things right, there is no question about it.
Employee engagement is based not only on the employee’s interest in teamwork, in the success of the company, in loyalty to the company, and in satisfaction with working conditions and organization, but it’s also directly related to the employee’s active position, their ability to participate in organizational changes, projects, and in building the corporate culture. I took this into account and came up with the best strategy for boosting productivity.
Jacek Żmudziński, SEO Team Lead, MakoLab
Hire Communications Specialist for Best Practices
Recently, we brought in a communications specialist to help provide best practices with our multicultural and multi-generational team. The goal was to understand how different cultures and age groups prefer to communicate in order to foster improved communications and avoid conflicts or misunderstandings.
Since collecting results about each individual’s communication preferences and tendencies, we’ve put together a company document and are requesting that team members post their communication style and preferences in their Slack profile so everyone can see and adhere. We expect engagement to go up and productivity as well as a result of this initiative.
Jarir Mallah, Human Resources Manager, Ling
Create Fun Virtual Environment
We’ve learned that happy, connected teams are productive teams. Especially with so many of us working remotely these days, we’ve made it a priority to create a virtual environment that’s fun, engaging, and fosters a sense of camaraderie.
We’ve embraced tools like Zoom to host virtual happy hours and team-building games, turning those awkward silences into laughter and shared experiences. Asana isn’t just a project-management tool for us; it’s a way to gamify tasks, celebrate wins, and keep everyone motivated. And let’s not forget the power of a good Slack channel! It’s where we share random thoughts, celebrate birthdays, and bond over the latest memes.
It’s all about finding ways to connect on a human level, even when we’re miles apart. When you prioritize building relationships and creating a positive work environment, productivity naturally follows. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Michael Gargiulo, Founder, CEO, VPN.com
Set Up ‘Continual Improvement’ Board
Our organization has set up a “Continual Improvement” board. Anything we find in our day-to-day that needs improvement, we place in the backlog as a card.
The team runs two-week sprints and gets every employee’s commitment to take a card and work on the improvement within those two weeks. This has helped us get employees engaged in better outcomes for the business, be more productive, and be more collaborative with each other.
Paul Bichsel, CEO, SuccessCX
Create Culture of Recognition and Rewards
One initiative we’ve introduced to enhance employee productivity and engagement is creating a culture of recognition and rewards. We practice regular praise and recognition, clear progression plans, and have employee resource groups (ERGs). These groups offer a sense of belonging and ensure diverse perspectives are heard and valued.
Recognizing someone’s work can seem like a small token, but it can significantly impact morale and productivity. We also conduct ‘stay interviews’ to understand employee retention and identify areas for improvement. This proactive approach helps us address concerns before they lead to turnover.
Daniel Kroytor, Founder and Director, Tailored Pay
Promote Health and Well-Being
We’ve made promoting health and well-being a top priority to boost employee productivity and engagement. We introduced wellness programs that include regular fitness activities, mental health support, and nutritional guidance. For instance, we have weekly yoga sessions and encourage taking short breaks throughout the day to recharge.
Furthermore, we’ve implemented flexible work schedules, allowing our team to balance their professional and personal lives more effectively. This focus on well-being has noticeably reduced stress levels and improved overall job satisfaction. As a result, we’ve seen a significant boost in productivity and a more positive, energized work environment. Investing in our employees’ health has truly paid off in fostering a motivated and engaged workforce.
Craig Tribe, Engineer & National Sales Manager, TECHNI Waterjet
Establish Core Working Hours
Core hours. We have a rule that everyone must be online from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, but around those times is up to every individual, and as long as the work is being delivered, we don’t mind when you do it around those core times. This has given so much flexibility to everyone, including parents, carers, those that live out of the city, and everyone in between. We’ve seen an uptick in productivity across the board and an increased level of respect—we treat our teams like the adults they are, rather than dictating start and finish times.
Martin Wild, Managing Director, Kinnovis
Implement Holistic Wellness Program
One important program I implemented to enhance productivity and employee engagement was a holistic wellness program. Again, keeping in mind the meek reality that our people are our most prized wealth, we modeled a program addressing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of every worker here. It includes regular health screenings, access to functional medicine consultation, and individualized wellness plans.
We also held mindfulness and stress-management workshops that are incredibly efficient in the reduction of burnout and increase of job satisfaction. Having fostered a supportive and health-conscious work environment, we now observe high productivity and a deeper sense of engagement and loyalty among our team members.
Patrick McClure, Health Expert & CEO, WINIT Clinic
