Sustainable GBS Productivity Unleashed: The Ultimate Quick-Start Guide for Instant Impact

Productivity continues to remain the focal point for any business. However, as the industrial landscape evolved, the definition has undergone multiple alterations. Productivity is no longer about simply generating the right numbers. Today, it has gone beyond and stands as a measure of an organization’s ability to innovate, be agile, adapt to changing market dynamics, and create value.

This shift in focus creates new challenges and opportunities for GBS leaders who now have to handle myriad issues, such as talent retention, process standardization, and also digital transformation, in their journey to achieving their new productivity goals. It’s interesting to note that 53% of GBS leaders today recognize the need to prioritize productivity improvement considering its strategic importance in the uncertain business world. 

Productivity Drivers that Can Make a Significant Impact

GBS organizations looking to unleash their productivity need to relook their processes and take the right steps for instant impact. Here are some ideas on how they can achieve this.

Build Awareness about the Organization’s Priorities and Objectives

Productivity in an organization is driven by its people who are aware of the role their contribution plays in accomplishing organizational goals. Leaders and managers should communicate the company’s larger vision, detailing the short as well as long-term goals. It is also important to define how individual and team output is aligned to these goals. When employees have a buy-in to the overarching vision, they see a bigger role for themselves and are likely to be driven to perform better, having a positive impact on productivity.

Gain Visibility into Organization-Wide Data

With the right data, managers can make correct decisions that enhance performance and productivity. However, with multiple departments and several sources of data, it is important to set up an integrated system that ensures real-time data collection for in-house and partner workforce. Choose a system that allows standardized data reporting and collection across all functions in the organization. Encourage regular data sharing with leadership to facilitate insights that will ensure better decisions and therefore better output. Creating a central repository for all processes, GBS and non-GBS, allows access to all responsible individuals involved in the decision-making process. 

Identify Productivity Opportunities for Immediate Wins

Winning has a ripple effect, with smaller successes paving the way for larger victories. Begin by identifying and setting current productivity metrics – actual versus expected – for different teams. Create solutions that can help improve output based on parameters of time, output, and throughput. Rather than focus on a larger goal, set smaller, low-risk goals that can generate immediate wins. Easy wins improve morale and this is a catalyst for improving overall productivity and performance across the organization.

Bring Focus on Improving Quality and Experience

Quality improvement is intrinsic to all industries and plays a significant role in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of an organization. When people take pride in their work there is often a marked improvement in the output. Managers can aid that by setting benchmarks for achieving a certain level of quality. Similarly, putting in place metrics for gauging customer and employee experience can elevate productivity. Furthermore, a GBS organization can consider deploying L&D programs that focus on quality improvement in the customer context.

Leverage Advanced Data Analytics for Decision-Making

Today businesses have more data than ever before, and yet not many companies are taking full advantage of it. By using advanced data analytics, businesses can unlock the true potential of their operations and extract more from their processes. There are several advanced data analytics tools available that can help offer managers and leaders multiple data perspectives. These can help consider alternatives or options that were not deemed likely earlier. Data analytics has also proven immensely useful in identifying trends, recognizing patterns, and drawing correlations between critical internal as well as external metrics.

Drive Institutionalized Productivity Initiatives

Desiring and achieving productivity goals isn’t a one-time activity. This requires commitment and dedicated focus over time keeping in mind the changing business landscape and evolving market needs. One approach is for GBS managers to develop business cases that justify the ROI of productivity interventions for sponsor buy-ins. Rather than approach the productivity enhancement objective on an ad-hoc basis, create a roadmap with processes, timelines, and governance highlighted. The process can take time but it is crucial to dedicate time and resources to design and execute the productivity initiatives.

Focus on Incremental Process Improvements

GBS organizations looking to improve productivity must begin by identifying and categorizing critical and non-value-added tasks. Trained personnel can manage business-critical tasks while repetitive, mundane tasks can be delegated to less trained individuals. This might be a good time to consider deploying AI and automation to take over manual tasks that do not require regular human intervention. This also helps free up qualified people to take over the more important jobs.

Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement

It is important to keep pace with changing times and ensure business processes evolve accordingly. Conducting regular performance assessments for all business units can ensure performance quality is maintained. It is equally important to look at productivity initiatives that meet business requirements while also catering to employee welfare. Encourage cross-training and upskilling through continuous L&D programs that are accessible to interested employees.

Focus on Transformative Processes

If required, GBS organizations should be willing to revisit processes and make changes to adapt to the changing times. This is particularly useful when processes are viewed from an ‘experience lens’ that includes all stakeholders, internal as well as external. This is also an important step in eliminating silos and automating business processes end-to-end so the business operates as one office rather than multiple departments unaware of what the other one is doing.

Also Read: Productivity Benchmarking Insights: Manage, and Optimize Time

Are you ready to unlock productivity?

As GBS organizations mature, there is a greater need to shift the focus from simple numbers to generating value. At ProHance, we can help you relook your processes strategically to make a greater impact on productivity.

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