“It was all right there in my own backyard.” This metaphor often rings true in business. Leaders do hours of research to identify processes, products, and services that uncover hidden gains and fail to look at what’s in front of them.

Specifically, observing everyday tasks can help leaders determine avenues for increasing growth. Here’s how you can make this approach work in your company.

Adopting a System of Continuous Improvement

The best way to find hidden gems is to adopt a continuous improvement system. Leaders should continuously look at tasks to determine what can be done better. They must identify bottlenecks and areas of inefficiency to promote smoother systems.

Here are some tips that will support these efforts:

• Process Mapping: Leaders should map out various business processes from beginning to end to pinpoint areas of waste and inefficiencies.
• Software Reviews: Software and technology should be reviewed regularly to determine which systems are redundant or underutilized. Streamlining tools can make systems more efficient and reduce spending.
• Determine Areas on Automation: Determine which areas may benefit from automation, while reducing errors, and allowing workers to focus on more pressing tasks.

Leverage Employee Skills

Companies often don’t make the most of their human resources. Employees may not be as productive as they could be or utilized to their fullest capacity. Here’s how companies can rectify this issue:

• Skills Assessment: Leaders should regularly assess and reassess employees’ skills to determine their best organizational uses.
• Cross-Training: Organizations should consider cross-training workers to contribute to different business areas and take over responsibilities when a colleague is unavailable.
• Feedback and Suggestions: Leaders should consult employees regularly for feedback and suggestions on various systems. This will help them maximize employee knowledge, provide insight into the workers’ skill level, and uncover multiple opportunities.

Performance Tracking

Performance tracking is necessary in monitoring systems and assessing employee skills. However, the approach to performance tracking must be considered to ensure accuracy.

Data should be integrated as it provides insights based on historic and current trends. Moreover, administrators should know what to look for when tracking data. Here are some metrics to consider:

• KPIs: Administrators should set KPIs in advance to determine if the company is reaching its goals.
• Profitability Analysis: A financial analysis will determine if the organization is turning a desired profit and provide information on which products and services are supporting monetary goals.
• Customer Journey Analysis: Companies should track the customer journey to eliminate pain points and ensure excellent service.

Recognizing “Invisible Wins”

Many companies seek invisible gains without recognizing the small wins they have already achieved, preventing them from seeing their full potential. Additionally, employees who helped achieve these wins may feel unappreciated, deterring them from keeping up the good work.

The biggest challenges may be determining when small wins occur. The following steps will set you on the right path.

• Ask Questions and Be Engaged: An inquiring and engaged approach will help leaders identify invisible wins. They should ask managers how their teams perform to seek out impressive employees. Leaders should also be present and pay attention to company processes to identify areas of success and who contributed.
• Positive Reinforcement: Ensure employees are recognized for their successes, whether it be through oral praise, a bonus or raise, promotion opportunities, employee-of-the-month awards, or a special lunch. These rewards motivate workers to continue on a positive trajectory.

Don’t Overlook the Power of Routine

While there may be hidden gems in everyday tasks, your hidden gem could be your everyday tasks. Don’t underestimate the power of routine. A well-thought-out routine reduces stress and anxiety, increases efficiency, enhances focus, and makes it easy for your company to achieve its goals. If your company lacks routine or struggles with an inefficient team, you may integrate the following steps to boost efficiency:

• Assess Your Current Routine: Assess your current schedule, looking for bottlenecks and areas of waste.
• Set Goals and Priorities: Set goals to guide your routine and determine the necessary systems to support productivity.
• Allocate Time Blocks for Different Tasks: Break up the schedule to ensure a specific block of time is allocated for various tasks. Prioritize when necessary.
• Incorporate Breaks: Make time for breaks and rest. In addition to aligning with legal standards, breaks can ultimately boost productivity.
• Adjust as Necessary: Schedules are helpful, but not always perfect. Review them continuously and adjust as necessary to achieve optimal efficiency.

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