Each year, American businesses lose around $550 billion due to low employee productivity. If you run a business that uses field service workers to serve customers, you know how hard it can be to manage these individuals. One of the main things you need to worry about as the owner of a field service business is keeping your workers efficient.
The longer you allow workers to remain unproductive, the more money and customers you stand to lose. Are you trying to make your field service workers more efficient? If so, check out the helpful tips below.
Route Optimization is Crucial
One of the main sources of productivity problems for field service workers is poorly planned routes. If you are not optimizing your worker’s routes for maximum efficiency, it is only a matter of time before you start to lose money. This is why you need to use common sense and the right technology to optimize your routes.
Luckily, there is route planning software on the market designed to make this task much easier. When trying to alter your routes for productivity, you need to seek out the guidance of your workers. The people who run these routes daily will know them inside and out. Your workers should be able to give you some information regarding where route planning problems exist. While route optimization will require ongoing work, it is worth the effort.
Provide Workers with Data in the Field
Some business owners refuse to incorporate technology into their existing field service model. Realizing that your field service workers need access to data and technology to be productive is important. This is why you need to think about investing in state-of-the-art tablets for your team.
These tablets need to be equipped with cloud-based software that makes accessing data easy for your team. You also need to invest in signature capture software so you can get customers to sign documents on these tablets. If you are spending lots of money on new tablets, you need to also invest in cases to protect them.
There are tons of durable cases on the market that are relatively inexpensive. Taking the time to give your field service workers a crash course in how these tablets work is also important. With some time and the right training, your employees should have no problem integrating this new technology into their daily routines.
Hold Regular Meetings With Field Service Workers
Communication is an essential component of any successful business. Keeping a constant dialogue going with your field services workers can be beneficial. Holding monthly meetings where you discuss what is going on in the field with your workers is a wise move.
During these meetings, your workers will be able to vent frustrations or present the problems they are having. With this information, you can make some much-needed changes. If your employees feel like they are being listened to, they will be more productive and loyal.
However, if you make your team feel like they are on their own, it is only a matter of time before your employee turnover rate starts to increase. Engaged employees are usually more productive and profitable. By meeting with your team and listening to their concerns, you can improve the way your business operates with ease.
Seek Out Customer Feedback
Not only will you need to speak with your employees to see where changes need to be made, you also need to get feedback from your customers. Calling or emailing customers to find out about the experience they had with a field service worker is beneficial.
The information from these interactions can help you figure out if there are problems that should be addressed. During your communication with customers, be friendly and personable.
It’s Time to Get to Work
As you can see, making your field service workers more efficient will not be easy. Over time, you will be able to find and fix productivity problems before they cause too much damage.
Related: What Benefits Should You Be Providing to Your Employees?