Written by Abbie Hatch, Marketing Manager for RoboHead
Data from RoboHead’s productivity index says your team’s productivity may have already peaked for the year. While this can be discouraging, it doesn’t have to be. Understanding and addressing seasonal fluctuations in productivity is crucial for creative directors. By analyzing the productivity index data for creative and marketing teams, we’ve identified a dip during the summer months (May through July) and peaks during the first and third quarters. In this article, we’ll provide data from over 10000 creative professionals’ real productivity and actionable tips for creative directors to address these fluctuations and optimize team productivity.
RoboHead 10000 Index Monthly Comparison
Understanding the Trends
While we don’t have a crystal ball, and world events and economic factors do play an overall role in productivity, there are trends we can see emerging for the index over the last three years of tracking.
🔮 Your team will be more productive this year than last: Overall, the productivity index has shown some improvement over the years. Comparing 2021 to 2020, there is a general increase in productivity levels, particularly in the first quarter (January through March). Similarly, comparing 2022 to 2021, there is a continued upward trend in productivity levels.
🔮The summer months will be slower: There are some seasonal fluctuations in the productivity index. For instance, The index tends to be lower in the summer months (May through July).
🔮Your team will find its groove again in Q3: Productivity tends to be higher in the first quarter (January through March) and the end of the third quarter (August and September).
Using the Trends
If you know your team is going to have these ebbs and flows, can you use them to come out ahead? Absolutely! Here are a few ways to make the most of seasonal changes in productivity.
✅ Roll with the Peaks and Dips: Look at your team’s workload and project deadlines, and shuffle resources around to handle the ups and downs. Being proactive means you’ll keep productivity humming and avoid burnout when things get hectic.
✅ Flex Your Work Options: When summer rolls around, think about offering flexible hours or remote work. Giving your team the chance to balance their personal lives with work can lead to happier, more motivated members.
✅ Embrace the Slow Seasons: Encourage your team to take their well-deserved vacation time when demand for your services is slower. They’ll come back feeling rejuvenated and ready to rock their projects.
✅ Welcome Seasonal Hires or Interns: Need a hand during the summer productivity dip? Try hiring temporary staff or offering internships. They’ll help cover the workload during peak vacation season and give your permanent team some extra support.
✅ Track Your Team’s Outputs: The best way to leverage seasonal trends is to understand how they uniquely apply to your company and industry. RoboHead gives you a clear picture into how your team is really functioning at any given time. Armed with data, you will be able to shift resources, tweak deadlines, or revisit goals to make sure everyone stays on track and crushes it all year round.
As a creative leader, you have the power to turn seasonal fluctuations into opportunities for your team. By embracing flexible work options, promoting vacation time, bringing on seasonal hires, and staying on top of productivity, you’ll keep your team thriving and productive no matter the time of year. To stay in tune with industry trends, check out the RoboHead 10000 for the latest.
