2012 needs productive employees

According to Tjaart Minnaar, MD of OIM, international labour productivity is a leading indicator of job creation and these recent figures are therefore cause for concern. He urges employees not to become complacent in the new year, adding the catchphrase in 2012 will be productivity.

"Employers will be looking to achieve the same -or higher levels of productivity as 2011 in," he says. "When money is tight, it's important to show one's employers that you can give them more value for less money than someone else. This is not to say one needs to accept a pay cut - it means one needs to increase productivity levels."

Productivity tips

Minnaar gives the following advice to employees in 2012:

• Be prepared to go the extra mile - Simply sticking to your job description is not enough - managers are looking for people who are willing to put in the extra effort when times are tough. "Not only will this make you more visible in a crowd of performing employees, but your efforts will be remembered when the tables turn for the better."
  
• Continually improve your skills - Demonstrate your versatility and flexibility by adding to your skills. This can be through signing up to additional courses or diplomas, or even choosing a mentor in your company. Multi-skilled employees are valuable assets when resources are scarce and, as a multi-skilled employee, it also gives you more job opportunities - so make sure you are one of them.
  
• Show your commitment by altering your remuneration package - Many employees contradict themselves when it comes to negotiating higher salaries. "If you profess to be prepared to go the extra mile and to become more productive - put your money where your mouth is. By choosing a remuneration package that has a smaller guaranteed fixed pay portion and a larger performance based pay portion, an employee is indicating his/her commitment to achieving a certain level of productivity. This shows that the employee is prepared to share some of the risk of difficult times with the employer - and at the same time, will enjoy the rewards in better times." According to Minnaar, an employee who negotiates a lower fixed salary coupled with a productivity incentive will ensure longer-term job security. "Furthermore, in economic downturns, it will limit retrenchments, while in good economic periods it might lead to a higher income than would have been earned on a fixed salary."
  
• Let your actions do the talking - Minnaar warns that recently promoted employees and employees starting a new job are very prone to overpromising and under delivering. "The new position or title boosts one's confidence, but ignorance of the new responsibility can blind them. He advises employees in this position to take time to learn and observe in the new role before making bold, confident statements. He also warns employees not to attempt to follow someone up the corporate ladder. In times like these, you need to deliver as an individual - it is not enough to be a passive part of a successful team. "Increase your contribution and let your reputation and actions become your security," he concludes.