Summary: <br> <br> Productivity is something we often hear about in the context of comparing which countries are more productive than others, but what does this actually mean?<br> <br> In it's simplest definition productivity is a measure of the volume of output compared to the amount of input. It's all about how many hours people work and what they produce. This is the type of productivity we hear about on the news.<br> <br> For those of us who aren't running large corporations productivity is a bit simpler. It's about what we<a href="http://www.theproductivityadvisor.com/#!How-to-Measure-Productivity/ywbub/56def6640cf2a71b043b6c17">achieve versus what we put into something</a>. For small businesses and organisations what we put in is going to involve time (our time, employees time) and money (materials).<br> <br> That sounds great but how do you actually measure productivity?<br> <br> Well, let's start with what gets measured now.<br> <br> In an article on <a href="http://www.business.com/management/14-best-tools-to-measure-employee-performance/">Business.com entitled 14 Tools to Measure Employee Productivity</a> there is a list of apps to keep track of what people are doing. These include apps to look at what tasks people are doing and apps to report back on what they did that day. That sounds pretty good, but here's the problem with that approach;<br> <br> How do you know if people are working on the most important/productive/effective activities?<br> <br> Think of the organisations and businesses you have been involved in and then think about what you did day to day?<br> <br> How easy was it for you to link your activity to the big vision or strategic direction of the organisation? Were you able to see your progress?<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Here are some things to be aware of when measuring productivity;<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="http://www.theproductivityadvisor.com/#!Time-Management-Skills/ywbub/56fa90ee0cf2a3d848b3d147">Time does not equal productivity</a>. Being present in the workplace does not mean you are doing anything. Don't forget the highest viewing figures for pornographic material are between 9am and 5pm.<br> <br> <br> Answering emails and attending meetings doesn't mean you are achieving anything, other than answering emails and attending meetings! it is easy to spend lots of time spinning our wheels but going nowhere.<br> <br> <br> To measure productivity we need to know what we are trying to achieve. This is often the most difficult bit as this requires some planning, focus, objectives and goals. It's also hard to keep focussed on where we want to go when we have so many distractions, obstructions and diversions thrown in our way.<br> <br> <br> <br> If you are still struggling with thinking about how to measure productivity then let's take a look at individual productivity in more detail.<br> <br> Think of your most recent working day.<br> <br> <br> <br> What did you do first?<br> <br> <br> Why did you do that first?<br> <br> <br> Was that activity the most important one in terms of what you are trying to achieve?<br> <br> <br> How will you know you have succeeded in relation to what you are trying to achieve?<br> <br> <br> <br> Let's take a look at a small business owner and see how they are doing in relation to the questions above.<br> <br> What did they do first thing?<br> Checked and answered emails<br> <br> Whey did they do that first?<br> Because that's how they normally start their working day<br> <br> Was that activity the most important one in terms of what they are trying to achieve?<br> They are trying to grow the business and work with some new clients so it doesn't fit with that objective.<br> <br> How will they know they have succeeded in relation to what they are trying to achieve?<br> Th
