Privalia Venta Directa chose WorkMeter to improve the management of its Development Division. It was looking to set fixed objectives and to provide productivity incentives. Privalia leveraged WorkMeter's objective metrics to increase average productivity by a full 30%.
The challenge
The online consumer product sales sector has was its biggest increase in 2009-2010. Privalia is currently the Spanish leader of online sales clubs but competition is stiffening as companies enter the market attempting to offer better prices and services to customers.
In this highly competitive environment, quick and objective decision-making, cost control and productivity are critical, as they directly affect the final cost of the product.
Privalia's Development Division counts on over 30 technicians and programmers. In line with corporate objectives and priorities, the division manager needed to keep tight reins on team productivity and to ensure high levels of output.
The company lacked the means to objectively measure effort put in by the team, which left the manager with no ability to communicate a real and measured need for improvement from his team.
At the same time, project managers needed assurance that all teams were being managed efficiently, but the Development Division manager had no way of demonstrating his team's effort through quantitative metrics.
What would prove most beneficial would be a solution that could both improve results in employee output and provide a means to demonstrate these results without ever compromising employee privacy.
The solution
Privalia chose WorkMeter as the platform best equipped to improve the situation.
Employees were first informed that individual activity and productivity would be measured. A healthy amount of personal time would be respected, and defined by the division manager.
Employees were given access to data on their own activity and efficiency, and objectives were established based on the real measurements obtained by WorkMeter.
The tool is currently used to objectively measure output and obtain optimum levels. The data it generates and presents is used to inform good decisions and to ensure that work is delegated appropriately.
The Development Division has seen a substantial increase in activity and productivity. Privalia depends on WorkMeter as a strategic management tool for ongoing improvement.
Technicians now not only work toward a final goal, they also work towards objective metric outputs. They are aware that their efforts contribute to the company's strategic objectives.
Employee personal time has also been incorporated, and employees know they can take personal breaks when necessary. This allows them to find a balance between personal and professional activity and maintain a healthy balance of the two.
Results
Within 30 days of WorkMeter implementation, Privalia measured an average improvement of 20% in activity and 30% in productivity.
Objectivity and metrics have enabled better management of the department, and the team demonstrates responsibility toward achievement of goals, while maintaining their sense of personal space. The result has been better work habits across the department and marked improvements in speed, cost and quality.
The company now has a tool that maintains high productivity while controlling costs, and allows for objective decisions based on measurable results.
