Efficiency in the workplace is highly desired, but it’s not always achievable. You could ask ten different people about how to achieve efficiency and be greeted by ten different answers. Whatever your definition is, it should be one that your employees can agree on. Here are four ways to encourage efficiency among your employees.

Reduce Meetings

Meetings are a staple of corporate culture, but they really don’t need to be. The information shared in meetings can just as easily be dispersed through emails. If something really is important, then have a meeting. Otherwise, you should consider how much time you can save. Your employees will appreciate having more opportunities to stimulate their minds.

Address Distractions

There are individual distractions to keep in mind, such as employees playing loud music or surfing the internet when they should be working. There are also larger distractions, such as loud maintenance work being performed while people are trying to work. To help your employees be more efficient, schedule maintenance work, such as repairing a heating system, outside of business hours. You want your office to be a place where people can stay on task and not have to worry about sudden interruptions. A quieter environment can greatly enhance efficiency.

Give Solid Deadlines

Your employees should have a balance between the projects they’re working on, the projects they’re finishing, and the products they’re about to start. In order to not overload employees and keep them focused, you should give them specific deadlines. These should be reasonable. Consider how long a project will take, and then add a day for any unforeseen circumstances. You should also encourage your employees to come to you if they’re having any problems meeting a deadline.

Allow Remote Work

Working from home can be just as effective as coming into the office. If one of your employees has trouble making it to the office due to their location or a medical condition, you should give them the option to work from home. Many find working from their home to be preferable. They can be freed of distractions and be in a comfortable environment. Consider adding a remote work option for employees.

Chastising people into efficiency won’t work. You want to gain your employees’ respect and confidence. This is done by communicating effectively and showing them common courtesy. Take the time to consider all these steps. By properly encouraging efficiency, you can make things operate much more effectively.