Traditional or go with the flow?

Traditional doesn’t necessary mean old and going with the flow doesn’t mean nontraditional either. As the traditional office space, working hours and dress codes slowly move out, while flexible hours, agile working and casual wear takes over the organisational atmosphere. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what the nontraditional or going with the flow entails. Now the real question is whether you play along or stick to what you think is more suited. Take into consideration that, not every organisation can make this move and this will have affects in the long run. When deciding make sure you comply with what you think the company represents. A second home or the company that lets you work from home. Chose for the long run because going back on a decision is going to cost you extra. How does this have an effect on productivity? Well the traditional way held in it the boundaries and structure the organisation stands for, and balancing the traditional and non-traditional way wisely is a crucial element in improving productivity and ultimately your businesses success as well.

To be or not to be?

The culture of an organisation is one of the most important elements that lead towards productivity. Assuming that your workforce is made up of equal parts of baby boomers (Gen X) and millennials (Gen Y), it is important to know how to balance the culture to accommodate all parties. Equal parts that are comfortable and familiar with very different lifestyles make it hard to find a middle ground. Although not impossible as the middle ground becomes a flexible culture that allows them be within their comfort zones. What makes it a flexible culture comes from the smallest of details, from the ability to speak freely, provide feedback, being a part of the decisions made and the chance to be creative with what they do for a living. People long that connection, the sense of belonging and at times the structure that grounds them. An open environment where everyone from the CEO to the office assistant is able to communicate freely and everyone’s efforts are equally valued. A combination of traditional and nontraditional aspect within a culture can balance the generation gap and create a productive workplace.

With the intense competition, technological advancements and the generation transitions, the business atmosphere takes a different look. These completely change the way that things were done traditionally, while they carry a certain sense of excitement, they also bring interference to the way that employees carryout their daily tasks. They might either feel uncomfortable or at times even too comfortable, disrupting their level of productivity. To really put the pro in productivity much like anything in life, you need to maintain a healthy balance within the organisation. The traditional ways maybe out the door and old fashioned although certain areas of those old ways bring a sense of structure to the organisation. So to really focus on productivity, first build a balanced culture and a pleasant atmosphere that accommodates everyone regardless of their generation. The best place to start is by evaluation what you want your organisation to represent.