A 4-part strategy for increasing everyone’s productivity

Whether you’re trying to get Finance staffers to do more with less, or working to get more of your own critical tasks completed, productivity is key.

To ramp up productivity, Tim Ferris, author of “The Four Hour Work Week,” recommends employees follow the DEAL method:

1. Definition. At this stage, you’ll want to map out the top priorities for yourself – and for the staffers you’re managing.

Example: Making sure everything is in order for monthly budget meeting.

Once you’ve established which tasks are essential, map out a specific plan that allows you to spend the most time on them.

2. Elimination. After you’ve marked off what’s essential, it’s time to figure out what tasks can actually be scrapped.

One way: List any processes you can probably forgo without affecting your overall goals. Even eliminating one or two tasks will give you a lot more time to focus on pressing issues.

3. Automation. This step involves looking at any processes that can be automated, as well making sure workers you’re managing know exactly what they’re supposed to working on – and when they are supposed to be working on it. This will help prevent errors and lead to less micromanaging.

4. Liberation. The final step is what Ferris says practitioners of the DEAL method will feel when the other three principles are working, which will lead to increased productivity.