For many American workers today, too much time is being wasted. According to a new survey by Inc.com, the average worker admits to wasting away 2.09 hours per 8 hour workday, this isn’t including lunch and scheduled break time. Taking measures to improve the efficiency of employees and accuracy of marketing and production, it’s possible to see a greater amount of profit over the course of the year.

Keep Track of Errors

A commitment to quality means that you’re willing to identify when an error has occurred and then make changes, so the problem isn’t repeated. Depending on your business structure and the products or services you provide, the best way to discover and change mistakes will vary.

When you provide a product or service to your customers, a simple way to keep track of the problems is by asking. Ask your customers to fill out a survey to ensure the data is accurate.

If you provide a service instead of a product, then you can also use a suggestion box, which will allow your customers to give anonymous feedback or suggestions that can improve the quality of your business and their satisfaction rates.

Keep a record of mistakes that have occurred in the past. By keeping track of the errors, you can train new employees to avoid those problems and keep more experienced employees updated with changes that are necessary.

Work on Marketing Accuracy

A key way to improve the productivity of your business is by focusing on accurate marketing. Check to make sure the information in your company database is accurate and use address standardization to simplify processing. By making a standard address and verifying data, you will reduce wasted advertising efforts.

According to Marketingsherpa.com, incorrect data that are in your directory is usually the result of outdated information or inaccurately submitted data; Update the data regularly to avoid losing track of your customers and double check the information submitted is accurate.

Organize a set of standards that simplifies the process of verifying data or submitting information. Keep it as simple as possible so that the risk of inaccurate submissions will reduce.

Train Workers

The best way to avoid mistakes and improve accuracy is by providing real training. Set time aside to train new employees in the company systems, process of using different technologies that are required for work and management of different situations that might arise.

Training is a powerful tool because it allows you to teach your employees what they can and cannot do when working with customers. It also provides a set standard that every employee is expected to follow.

You want to have a training program that teaches and allows your employees time to practice the new skills. Practice is key to good accuracy because it prevents mistakes before your customers meet your employees. It also allows you or your training professionals to catch problems before it can get out of control.

Embrace Strengths

Empower and encourage your employees by allowing them to focus on their strengths and abilities. Don’t ask an employee to work on a task that leads to boredom because that will cause the employee to walk away from the task. Focus on the strengths of the individual to get the best results.

Improving the accuracy and efficiency of your employees isn’t as difficult as it might seem. You can make improvements by providing the right tools and standards to cut back on mistakes and time wasted.

Guest Post by Britney Anderson, a sales manager who loves closing deals.

Guest Post by Kyle Sanford]

Consumers in the 45 U.S. states that levy a sales tax may find themselves putting a bit more on their American Express cards when they start their holiday shopping this fall. The Marketplace Fairness Act (MFA), which would create an Internet sales tax, was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate on May 6. If the bill gets through the House of Representatives and land on President Obama’s desk, it would become law just in time for the holidays.

Marketplace Fairness Act (MFA)

Impact on Businesses

Small and medium-sized businesses will be the ones most impacted by this. They will have to implement new software and procedures into their online shopping carts. Since the MFA only targets businesses that do more than $1 million in annual out-of-state sales, it isn’t likely to affect the smallest companies that are run by families and entrepreneurs. Many brick-and-mortar-only businesses are in support of this bill since it will help to even the playing field with online retailers. The bill is also meant to curtail “showrooming,” the practice in which customers go to a store to physically look at an item, then buy it online for a cheaper price.

Most corporations will be unaffected since they already have physical locations in most states. Paul Misener, the VP of global public policy at Amazon, told Wolters Kluwer Law & Business he supports MFA because most state taxes are unconstitutional per the 1992 Supreme Court ruling in Quill v. North Dakota. The decision outlawed “use taxes,” which North Dakota tried to impose on Quill Corporation, even though it had no physical presence in the state.

Impact on Consumers

Current legislation in many states requires consumers to pay taxes on online purchases when they file their tax returns at the end of the year. PC World estimates that 90 percent of consumers are not aware of the laws, or just simply ignore current regulations. Thus proponents of MFA say the bill isn’t a new tax, but a way of enforcing an existing one. The MFA will lessen the price advantages for online retailers, especially when shipping and handling is factored in.

Bottom Line

The MFA still has a ways to go before being enacted. CNN estimates that the earliest it could go into effect is October 2013. If the bill becomes law, states will be required to create and distribute software to companies who are impacted in order for the collection process to go smoothly.

It’s not too late for business owners and consumers to contact their Congressman and voice their opinions.

Kyle Sanford
As a financial advisor and business writer, Kyle shares finance news and strategies that help small businesses improve operations.