The Power of ‘Entry Interviews’ and ‘Stay Interviews’: Tips from Adam Grant
- Many employers hold ‘exit interviews.’ Wharton psychologist Adam Grant suggests conducting "entry interviews" and "stay interviews” to create a positive work environment and retain top talent.
- An entry interview is a meeting with new employees to discuss their expectations and experiences during onboarding.
- Open-ended questions should be asked to show employees that their opinions are valued.
- Stay interviews are for current employees to identify factors that make them stay in their roles and address any areas of improvement.
- Feedback from both types of interviews should be incorporated to continuously improve the workplace culture.
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The hiring process can be tedious, from screening resumes to conducting interviews. But how do you ensure that you're hiring the right people? More importantly, how do you keep them happy and engaged in your company? This is the dilemma that small business owners and managers often face. Fortunately, Wharton psychologist Adam Grant has some insights that can help you navigate through this challenge.
In a recent article in Inc., Grant shared his advice on conducting "entry interviews" and "stay interviews.” Keep reading to find out how these two methods can help you create a more positive work environment and retain your best employees.
Entry Interviews: What Are They and How Do They Work?
An entry interview is a meeting with an employee where you discuss their expectations and experiences during the on-boarding process. This can take place on the first day of work or within the first few weeks, depending on your preference. The purpose of this interview is to provide new employees with a safe space to share their past experiences and current job expectations, in addition to making them feel valued from the start.
During an entry interview, it's crucial to ask open-ended questions that allow the employee to share their thoughts honestly. Some sample questions that Grant suggests are:
What are you hoping to gain from this role?
What do you think you can contribute to the company?
How do you prefer to receive feedback and recognition?
Remember, the goal of entry interviews is to show employees that you value their opinion and care about their experience within your company. This can lead to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and increased productivity.
Stay Interviews: Why They Matter and How to Conduct Them
While entry interviews are designed to help new employees acclimate to your workplace culture, stay interviews are for current employees who have been with your company for an extended period. The purpose of stay interviews is to identify factors that make employees stay in their current roles and identify any areas that need improvement to retain top talent.
Grant recommends conducting stay interviews on a regular basis, such as once a year or every six months. This can help identify potential issues before they become a bigger problem. During a stay interview, it's important to ask questions such as:
What do you enjoy most about your role? Why?
What are the most challenging aspects of your job? Why?
What motivates you to stay with our company?
Incorporating Feedback from Both Types of Interviews
Now that you have a clear understanding of entry and stay interviews, it's crucial to incorporate the feedback you receive to improve your workplace culture continuously. Make sure to show employees that you take their comments and experiences seriously by addressing any concerns that are raised. This can lead to increased employee satisfaction and loyalty to your company.
Moreover, be open to introducing new initiatives or making changes based on employee feedback. For instance, if employees express that they would like more opportunities for professional development, consider offering training or workshops to help them grow their skills.
The Takeaway
Conducting entry interviews and stay interviews is an excellent way to bridge communication gaps and build a better work culture. By implementing these techniques, you can create a welcoming environment for new employees and retain your top talent. Remember that feedback is a critical part of the process, and acting on it will show employees that you value their opinion. So, take Grant's advice and start conducting entry and stay interviews to improve your hiring process and retain employees who are passionate about your company.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike.
Member News – January 10, 2024
For the Cause Open Bloomsburg Teen Center
February 8th saw For the Cause open their second location in Bloomsburg. Check out the coverage on 22/28 News.
Focus Central PA hosting Forum
Focus Central PA will be hosting an Industrial Development Forum on March 13, 2024. The forum will be held at Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg. Early bird registration rates are good until January 13, 2024. Learn more on their website and check out the flyer.
Does your small business need a website?
Bucknell students will create websites for local businesses this semester in a Marketing and Design course in the Freeman College of Management. This web design project will provide a hands-on learning experience for students while also benefiting local organizations. Websites will be free of charge; with preference given to small local businesses and organizations with greater need for a free solution. Click to learn more and to apply by January 22nd, 2024
Columbia Montour AVTS Hosting Open House
Columbia-Montour AVTS will be hosting an Open House on Feb 4, 2024 from 1-4pm. They are recruiting businesses to come in and be present for a career fair for prospective students and parents. The event will be focused on the career opportunities that companies may have to offer for prospective students and parents to start thinking toward their future. To learn more contact Pamela Slusser, 570-784-8040 ext.3345 OR ar pslusser@cmvt.us.
Community Giving Foundation 2024 Grant Round is Now Open!
Community Giving Foundation is pleased to announce 2024 competitive grant rounds are now open. Grant rounds include opportunities through Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove, and Sunbury affiliate foundations. The process opens January 2nd and closes February 29th. Learn more.
Bloomsburg Children's Museum Announces January Calendar
Check out all the things happening at the Bloomsburg Children's Museum in January!
Commonwealth University offering CMA Training
Get trained to assist physicians with the administration of medications and with minor procedures, performing an EKG electrocardiogram,
obtaining laboratory specimens for testing, educating patients, and other related tasks. To get more information on the program here and to learn about scholarship opportunities here.
Non-Profits Serving Columbia County Invited to Open House
The Partners and Tenants of The Hub at Mulberry are inviting non-profits serving Columbia County to an open house February 1st 4:30 - 6:30. The evening will include light hors d'oeuvres, tours and the opportunity to learn how to utilize the facility.
DCDC Celebrating 50 Years
Danville Child Developing Center will be hosting a 50th Anniversary Celebration on February 5th. Check out the invitation.
Mckonly & Asbury Announces Promotions
Jamie Poeth has been named System Administrator. She joined McKonly & Asbury’s administrative team in 2022. She provides administrative support to the Northeast office in many different capacities. She assists with billing, client set up, engagement letters, QuickBooks inputting and assists our tax team during busy season. Jamie also provides administrative assistance to our affiliate company M&L Compliance Management. She is a licensed Notary and a member of the Pep Squad committee. Jamie works out of our Northeast (Bloomsburg) office. Congratulations Jamie!
The ARC of Pennsylvania has Programs to help with Employment Needs
Arc Discovery Employment and Transitions (ADEPT)
ADEPT is a program of the Arc of Pennsylvania that helps individuals
with disabilities to transition to work through Customized
Employment Process. Learn more about this program by reaching out to Jennifer Hipps and check out this informational flyer.
Going Gold Committee Raises Awareness and $15,000 for ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund
Several Chamber members helped to raise Awareness and Funds during Pediatric Care Awareness Month in September. Learn more about their efforts in a press release provided by Service 1st Federal Credit Union.
1099-K Changes Delayed Until 2024
Source: Alonia Johnston, McKonly & Asbury
Many people use Venmo, PayPal, and Facebook Marketplace for both personal and business transactions. People sell items they no longer have a use for and buy the items they need. As 2023 comes to an end, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a notice finalizing the reporting thresholds on 1099-K Forms for the 2023 calendar year. If an individual or business provides goods or services and uses payment apps or online marketplaces to accept payments, this will clarify their reporting thresholds.
For 2023, the thresholds remain unchanged from 2022 following the release of Notice FS-2023-27, Nov. 2023. After all the stress and worry through the first ten months of the year, the IRS has released their decision to delay the implementation of changes until 2024. If one 
receives $20,000 in gross sales from goods or services AND has more than 200 transactions in the calendar year, they should receive a 1099-K.
Beginning in 2024, if one receives $5,000 in gross sales from goods or services, they should receive a 1099-K.
Payment Types that Earn a Form 1099-K
- Goods one sells.
- Services one provides.
- Property one rents.
- Payment apps.
- Online community marketplaces.
Auction sites. - Car sharing or ride-hailing platforms.
- Ticket exchanges or resale sites.
- Crowdfunding platforms.
- Freelance marketplaces.
What to Do if a Form 1099-K is Received
Be sure to review these forms, determine if the amount is correct, and check if there are any deductible expenses associated with these payments. Anyone who sold personal items must determine if the amounts on their forms were losses or gains for accurate reporting purposes.
- Selling at a loss
- If one paid more for the item than what they sold it for, this is considered a loss.
- One can report both the original payment and the amount received to offset the adjustment.
- This would need to be reported on a Schedule D Capital Gains and Losses. The amount originally paid and the date would be needed, as well as the amount received when sold and the date.
- Selling at a gain
- If one received more than they paid for item, it is considered a gain and will need to be reported as income, which will be taxable.
- This would need to be reported on a Schedule D Capital Gains and Losses. The amount originally paid and the date would be needed, as well as the amount received when sold and the date.
Items that Should Not be Reported on Form 1099-K
Personal Transactions – these payments are not taxable and should not be reported on these forms.
- Birthday or Holiday gifts.
- Reimbursement for expenses to friends and family members.
If someone believes the information on their Form 1099-K is incorrect, or it was issued in error, there are a few options that they can take. They can contact the filer, whose name and contact information should appear in the upper left corner on the front of the form. One could also try and contact the payment settlement entity, whose name and phone number should be shown in the lower left side of the form, to assist with providing a corrected form. For more information on understanding the Form 1099-K, please visit this website.
Finally, if one finds themself with a Form 1099-K for next tax season for personal items sold and are not sure where to go or what to do with it, they should reach out to an accounting professional on the best way to handle this and correct it on their tax return.
For specific questions or additional information, please contact Alonia Johnston.
Top Concerns of Small Business
Source: US Chamber of Commerce
This quarter, a worsening view of the economy helped drive down the MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index. Just a quarter (25%) of small businesses say the U.S. economy is in good health and 30% say their local economy is in good health, both down eight percentage points since last quarter.
At the same time, small businesses’ views on the health of their own business remain positive. About two-thirds (64%) of small businesses say the health of their business is very or somewhat good. In addition, two-thirds (67%) of small businesses say they are somewhat or very comfortable with their cash flow, down slightly from last quarter (72%)—but consistent with this time last year (67%).
The Q3 2023 Index score fell to 61.3 from 69.2— a return to the scores seen earlier this year and in late 2022.
Most See a Worker Shortage…
Over the last few quarters, small businesses have expressed a consistent, growing concern for finding the right workers. In fact, over half of those who have searched for talent in 2023 say it is hard to find candidates with the experience (54%) or skills (52%) their business needs.
In addition, most small businesses say they see a worker shortage: a majority (53%) of small businesses agree there is a worker shortage in their local area.
Nearly half of small businesses report searching for, recruiting, or interviewing new talent in 2023—a significant increase from mid-2021. 45% of small businesses say they have searched for new talent this year, up from 36% who said so in fall 2021.
…And Struggle to Keep Up with Workers’ Salary Demands
Not surprisingly, in this atmosphere of increased competition for workers, employers are having to pull out all the stops to find and retain talent.
Nearly half of those who report searching for new workers in 2023 say it is hard to offer competitive pay and benefits. And 60% of all small businesses agree it is challenging to keep up with existing employees’ salary expectations.
They’re also offering new and unique benefits. The most popular strategy is offering flexible work schedules: 68% of small businesses saying they plan to offer it in the next year. In addition, half (50%) of small businesses say they will be offering increased pay, paid sick leave, or listing the hourly pay/salary range for each open position they announce.
To Address Worker Shortages, Small Businesses Consider Unique Talent Pools
In their quest to find more workers, small businesses are also open to considering workers from often-overlooked talent pools.
Nearly three in four (71%) small businesses agree that employers should more often consider hiring from talent pools such as formerly-incarcerated people, veterans, military spouses, or immigrants. In addition, a majority (54%) of small businesses think the U.S. should issue more skilled worker visas annually so businesses can hire the workers they need.
Inflation Still Number One Concern
Despite growing hiring concerns, inflation still tops the list of challenges for small business owners.
For the sixth consecutive quarter, 50% or more small businesses have cited inflation as one of their biggest challenges. However, this concern may be levelling off: concern over inflation has held steady at 52%-54% over the last year.
Small businesses’ second biggest concern is revenue with 22% citing this as a top concern.
Meanwhile, small businesses concern about supply chain issues are slightly fading. Supply chain issues are tied for fourth place as the most challenging issue reported among small businesses this quarter (17%), along with affording employee benefits or healthcare.
The Index’s overall score fell to 61.3 from 69.2 last quarter. This is close to overall sentiments this time last year.
The Q4 2023 SBI survey was conducted between October 5 – 24, 2023. For more findings from this quarter, and to explore and browse years of small business data, visit: https://www.uschamber.com/sbindex/.
Ribbon Cuttings: Embracing Community
by Taryn Crayton, Director of Member Engagement
If you take a look at the Chamber’s event calendar you will notice that we have a good number of events happening at the start of this year. You will also notice that there is a fair number of ribbon cuttings.
Without question ribbon cuttings are my favorite Chamber event because they mean our community is growing. Beyond the mere act of cutting a ribbon lies a deeper connection to community engagement, unity, and support. At their core, ribbon-cutting ceremonies are pivotal events that are designed to bring together our community.
Whether it's a new business opening or a current business expanding ribbon cuttings serve as a reminder that collective effort and collaboration are essential for nurturing vibrant and thriving communities.
With that, I cordially invite you to any ribbon cuttings you see happening in our community!
Member News – January 3, 2024
Danville Business Alliance Hires Marketing & Membership Coordinator
Annie McCarty joins the Danville Business Alliance in the role of Marketing & Membership Coordinator. Annie is also the owner of Troop 47 Trading Co. Welcome Annie! She can be reached at annie@visitdanvillepa.org.
Focus Central PA hosting Forum
Focus Central PA will be hosting an Industrial Development Forum on March 13, 2024. The forum will be held at Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg. Early bird registration rates are good until January 13, 2024. Learn more on their website and check out the flyer.
Community Giving Foundation 2024 Grant Round is Now Open!
Community Giving Foundation is pleased to announce 2024 competitive grant rounds are now open. Grant rounds include opportunities through Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove, and Sunbury affiliate foundations. The process opens January 2nd and closes February 29th. Learn more.
Columbia Montour AVTS Survey
Columbia-Montour AVTS wants to help your company attract, retain, and inspire its workforce by using education as a strategic advantage. They are teaming up with Dream2Career and GAR Associates to bring your organization innovative solutions in training and development. Please complete a 5-min survey to help them better understand your training and development needs.
Berwick YMCA Presents Daddy/Daughter Dance
Berwick YMCA presents "Daddy/Daugther Dance" Sunday, February 18th in their gymnasium from 3:00-6:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now at our front desk. Space is limited! Tickets must be purchased in person.
Save the Date for The Women's Center's 50th Anniversary
The Women's Center will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary on April 6, 2024, with an event at the Barn at Frosty Valley. Mark your calendars now to be a part of the celebration of 5 decades of community work.
SBDC Training Events open for Registration
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provide education and no-cost consulting services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The SBDC is ready to help you grow your business. Check out trainings with the SBDC at Bucknell University and the SBDC at Wilkes University.
Bloomsburg Public Library has new hours in 2024
The Bloomsburg Library has changed hours to better accommodate patrons. Check out their new hours.
VITA Volunteers Needed
The Susquehanna Valley United Way is looking for volunteers for their annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Learn more.
Non-Profits Serving Columbia County Invited to Open House
The Partners and Tenants of The Hub at Mulberry are inviting non-profits serving Columbia County to an open house February 1st 4:30 - 6:30. The evening will include light hors d'oeuvres, tours and the opportunity to learn how to utilize the facility.
The ARC of Pennsylvania has Programs to help with Employment Needs
Arc Discovery Employment and Transitions (ADEPT)
ADEPT is a program of the Arc of Pennsylvania that helps individuals
with disabilities to transition to work through Customized
Employment Process. Learn more about this program by reaching out to Jennifer Hipps and check out this informational flyer.
15 Tech Tools to Elevate Your Work Life Balance
- Mastering time management and prioritization through technology enables focusing on vision, innovation, and growing the business.
- Tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack help create clear schedules and facilitate team collaboration.
- Doist and Evernote help prioritize and categorize tasks efficiently, while LastPass securely stores passwords and sensitive data.
- Social media management tools like Hootsuite and Buffer allow scheduling posts in advance to save time. Flodesk and HubSpot assist with email marketing.
- Dropbox, Google Analytics, and Grammarly aid in file sharing, understanding website usage, and improving writing skills.
- Automatic time trackers like Toggl and IFTTT keep tabs on billable hours and automate repetitive jobs.
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Running a small business or being an entrepreneur brings a whirlwind of challenges that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Among these obstacles, the ability to juggle multiple tasks while maintaining productivity and efficiency stands out as one of the most critical. We get it, it's tough! The good news is that there's a solution. In this article, we'll explore how effectively managing your time and utilizing essential tech tools can propel your business towards growth.
Boost Your Productivity: 15 Essential Tech Tools for Efficiency, Organization, Collaboration, and Ease
When you’re running your own business, it's tempting to believe you're the only one capable of handling all the tasks required to keep operations going. But let's face it, that approach is neither effective nor sustainable. This is where time management and prioritization come into play. By allocating your time and resources wisely, you can optimize your workflow and focus on the tasks that truly drive your business forward.
Productive Workflows
The first step towards effective time management and prioritization is creating a clear schedule. Tools like Trello, Asana, and Slack can be your secret weapons here. Trello helps you organize projects and tasks effortlessly, while Asana provides a centralized hub for team collaboration. And when it comes to real-time messaging and file sharing among teams, Slack has got your back.
Stay Organized & Efficient
Once you've got your schedule in place, it's crucial to stay focused on the task at hand. Tools like Doist's and Evernote can be your trusty companions, helping you prioritize and categorize your tasks efficiently. And to save time and boost productivity, LastPass securely stores your passwords and sensitive data in one convenient location.
Marketing Shortcuts
We all know that social media management can eat up a significant chunk of your time. Thankfully, tools like Hootsuite and Buffer allow you to schedule your posts in advance, freeing up valuable time for other important tasks. Plus, Flodesk and HubSpot can lend a helping hand with email marketing, while Google Analytics offers invaluable insights into website traffic and user behavior.
Optimize Your Processes
Effective communication and file sharing are also key to managing your time effectively. Dropbox makes it a breeze to store, share, and access files from anywhere. And if you want to take your communication skills up a notch, Grammarly is here to help with suggestions for writing style, tone, and grammar. Lastly, automatic time tracking software like Toggl and IFTTT can work wonders by keeping track of billable hours and automating repetitive tasks, saving you valuable time to focus on other essential endeavors.
Run Your Business like a Boss
Mastering time management and prioritization is the secret ingredient to running a successful small business or being a thriving entrepreneur. By embracing time-saving and productivity boosting tech tools, you can supercharge your workflow, stay productive, and tackle tasks that truly propel your business forward. With these tools in your arsenal, you'll be equipped to navigate the daily challenges of small business ownership or entrepreneurship with much more ease, allowing you to focus more of your time and energy on vision, innovation, and growth.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike.
The Benefits of Prioritizing Employee Well-being
Prioritizing employee well-being is a strategic move for any business looking to successfully develop their business and enhance their competitive edge among their peers. Companies that demonstrate to employees that they are valued and supported as important individuals within the organization are more likely to develop a workforce that is engaged, productive and committed to their work.
By expanding employee assistance programs to address burnout, offering and steering employees to resources designed to better support employee needs, training managers to better recognize employee behavioral issues, and offering workplace flexibility, business owners can effectively implement programs that can truly make a difference.
Among the benefits employers are likely to realize by adding more holistic employee benefits, perks and wellness programs include:
• Increased productivity and efficiency. When employees are happy and healthy, they are more likely to be productive and efficient at work. They are able to focus on their tasks and complete them in a timely manner, without being distracted by health or personal issues. This results in higher quality work and a better overall performance for the company.
• Improved employee retention. When employees feel that their well-being is a priority for the company, they are more likely to stay with the company for the long term. This reduces the cost of turnover and ensures that the company retains its top talent.
• Enhanced levels of customer service. Employees who feel valued and supported are more likely to provide customer service at an elevated level. They are better able to build strong relationships with the company’s customers and address client needs more effectively. This leads to greater customer loyalty and increased revenue for the company.
• Reduced healthcare costs. Prioritizing the well-being of employees can lead to lower healthcare costs for the company, since when employees are healthy, they are less likely to require expensive medical treatments or take time off from work due to illness. This can result in a significant cost savings for the company.
• Enhanced brand reputation. Companies that make their employees’ well-being a priority are viewed as socially responsible and ethical. This enhances the company’s brand reputation and makes it more attractive to customers and potential employees.
The Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at cmcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3539.
Changes in R & D Tax Provisions Threaten Growth
Source: US Chamber of Commerce
Congress has a short-term window to act on a key tax provision that can increase research and development (R&D) spending in America.
Zoom out: For nearly 70 years, businesses have been able to immediately deduct 100% of their R&D expenses, which can include costs associated with the development, testing, and improvement of products and services. However, as of January 2022, businesses are no longer able to immediately write off these expenses.
Why it matters: This change in R&D tax rules is constraining investment in this critical economic activity. The rate of growth of R&D spending has declined from 6.6% on average over the previous five years to less than 1% over the last 12 months, notably decreasing by 1.2% in the most recent quarter.
Bottom line: Small businesses rely on new technologies to keep operations running smoothly and their business growing, but these new technologies are often costly for small enterprises.
Congress urgently needs to enact legislation addressing three key business tax provisions—restoring the deduction for research and development (R&D) expenses, 100% bonus depreciation, and the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) standard for deducting business interest expense (collectively, “tax extenders”).
Amping Up Productivity with the “Quiet Protocol”
- Employees are constantly interrupted in today's hyper-connected world, disrupting productivity
- The "Quiet Protocol" allocates solid chunks of uninterrupted time for employees to focus on important work
- Pioneering research highlighted how interruptions negatively impact productivity; dedicated distraction-free periods saw productivity surge 65%
- Employers should draw clear boundaries for quiet time, provide an optimized workspace, promote breaks, and educate staff on deep work benefits
- When fully embraced, the protocol fosters deep focus and sustained productivity, taking work quality and business success to new levels
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Let's face it, in this hyper-connected, always-on world, it's tougher than ever to maintain focus and keep productivity levels high. We're surrounded by ceaseless interruptions and noise, causing a disruptive ripple in our workflow. But there's a silver lining, folks. Inc Magazine has spotlighted an ingenious strategy - the "Quiet Protocol." Renowned for jacking up productivity, it's the secret behind deep work that generates stellar outcomes.
The Quiet Protocol Explained
The "Quiet Protocol" is about allocating a solid chunk of time where employees can work without any kind of disruption. The idea is simple but fundamental - incessant interruptions are the arch nemesis of productivity and creativity. By cultivating an environment that supports uninterrupted work, we can empower employees to unlock their capabilities and consistently churn out top-notch results.
This powerful concept of the 'Quiet Protocol' sprang from the pioneering research by Leslie Perlow, a distinguished scholar at Harvard Business School. Rewind to 25 years ago when Perlow was a budding researcher at the University of Michigan. She plunged into the intriguing concept of 'time famine,' that crushing feeling of being swamped with tasks and short on time. Her research was grounded in observing a team of 17 engineers over nine months as they developed a new printer. These folks felt that their 'real work' was constantly thrown off course by unforeseen discussions, minor crisis solutions, and status updates. Now recognized as 'time confetti,' this scattering of fragmented time puts a real dent in productivity.
Perlow's answer to the 'time confetti' dilemma was the 'Quiet Protocol,' an elegantly simple yet trailblazing approach to boosting productivity. This protocol involved carving out specific slots of 'quiet time,' free from interruptions, where employees could zero in on their most vital tasks. The outcome? A whopping 65% surge in productivity. The specifics of when the quiet time happened - say Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday before noon - were less crucial than the total team commitment to the schedule. Perlow's research serves to highlight the enormous potential of dedicated, distraction-free periods for tackling high-priority tasks - an expressway to serious productivity gains.
A Productivity Roadmap
Now, employers have a crucial part to play in championing this productivity-boosting protocol. Here's a roadmap for employers to effectively roll out the "Quiet Protocol":
- Draw Clear Lines: Set specific hours as "quiet time" where meetings, calls, and other potential distractions are kept at bay. By setting these boundaries, employees can plan their tasks knowing they have a distraction-free window to focus.
- Shape a Productive Environment: A quiet and comfortable workspace is the catalyst to productivity. Think about rolling out noise-canceling headphones or private workstations to reduce distractions and promote deep focus.
- Promote Timely Breaks: While the focus is on fostering uninterrupted work, it's crucial to inspire employees to take regular breaks. These mini breaks serve to refresh the mind, boost focus, and maintain productivity in the next work session.
- Educate for Success: Effective training is the cornerstone to ensure employees grasp the benefits of the "Quiet Protocol" and make the most of this dedicated deep work period. Offering tips on time management, task prioritization, and minimizing distractions can equip employees to excel in their focused work.
By embracing and adopting the "Quiet Protocol" in its entirety, businesses can create a workspace that sincerely fosters deep focus and unwavering productivity, ultimately taking the quality of work to new heights. When paired with a company culture that values and promotes deep, focused work, this strategy is a powerful lever for sustainable business growth and resounding success.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike.