Workforce Optimization
Workforce Optimization requires a holistic approach. If you approach it through only one focused area, you neglect the impact that each area has on the others. Synergy is key.
Workforce optimization is the process of maximizing productivity, profitability and employee engagement. This enables you to create a flexible, adaptive, learning organization so that you thrive in our fast-changing, unpredictable world.
Workforce optimization considers the four
key areas of your business success:
- Employee alignment—The degree to which the work of employees supports the strategies of the organization. Alignment problems primarily arise from lack of fit between employees’ abilities and their job duties.
- Culture—The norms, beliefs and behaviors that determine how people interact. This includes what’s acceptable, unacceptable, rewarded, punished, etc. Culture problems lead to low engagement, poor performance, excessive conflict and negative attitudes.
- Strategy– The master plan for an organization to achieve its goals and objectives. Problems in strategy frequently show up as underperformance relative to goals, lack of clarity and focus, constant crises that are preventable and other similar issues.
- Leadership—The way in which people communicate with and influence each other. Problems in leadership are a major cause of cultural issues that impact engagement, performance and turnover.
Holistic Approach
You want to use a holistic approach that considers how all four key areas of business success function as a whole in your organization. Without a holistic view we see things in isolation and look for a “specific cause” of a problem. Below are examples of diagnosing low employee engagement from isolated viewpoints:
- Employee Alignment viewpoint: Low engagement is a result of employees doing work that is not a fit based on their abilities.
- Culture viewpoint: Low engagement is the result of the organization’s culture not aligning with the values of the employees.
- Strategy viewpoint: Low engagement is the result of employees not having faith in the organization’s strategy.
- Leadership viewpoint: Low engagement is the result of leaders communicating and interacting with employees negatively or ineffectively.
The reality is that most issues do not have one cause in isolation. The most effective approach is to start with an objective inquiry into root causes without a bias toward any one problem-solving viewpoint. This is a holistic approach.
Want to learn more?
Brad wrote the book on Workforce Optimization. Check it out, or schedule a call to see how Brad can help you get the most out of your workforce. Contact (678) 229-2413 or bwolff@peoplemaximizers.com
Note: Many of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning that Brad gets a small extra commission if you buy his book. Thanks for your support! All trademarks used on this page are the property of their respective owners.
