3 Reasons Music Increases Productivity

In today’s workplace, an average employee is productive for only three hours, leaving many business owners searching for simple and inexpensive solutions to keep their teams focused. “Building friendly relationships creates a fertile ground for teamwork,” according to Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert. “That atmosphere engenders more creativity, as people innovate most when they feel supported and the work culture is upbeat and fun.” Keeping your employees smiling isn’t easy, but retention is definitely a money saver.

The cost of finding a new entry-level employee is 30% to 50% of annual salary, for the middle-level it increases to 150%, and for high-level it’s 400%! One solution to retaining strong employees is to keep them happy, and one easy way to keep them happy is to provide them with music. Here are our top 3 reasons why offering your team an internal music option could be just what your business needs:

1) Music Makes People Happy
Dissatisfied employees can cost up to $75 billion yearly. So, it pays (companies) to be happy. Music therapy is more effective than other therapy methods in curing depression. Music also increases breathing rate, and increased breathing is a sign of happiness. It even affects babies as early as five months old. On the other hand, for those that value crying, sad music may help them have a cathartic experience.

2) Music Relieves Stress
Stress costs companies $200 to $300 billion yearly, and music can prevent this. Music can have a tremendously positive effect on reducing stress hormones. When working in a fast-paced or deadline-orientated work environment, music can be just what the team needs to stay focused and relaxed.

3) Music Increases Cooperation
A Cornell University study found that music has an effect on our willingness to cooperate. The study found that upbeat or “pleasant” music made people more willing to cooperate, while unpleasant music had the opposite effect. If your workplace thrives on teamwork (and let’s face it, whose doesn’t?), music can be an inexpensive and effective tool in fostering more unity and increased productivity. The Harvard Business Review found that happiness increased productivity by an average 31%, appreciated sales by 37%, and tripled creativity.

In order to keep everyone humming, so-to-speak, you have to be able to offer your staff multiple music options at once. A wireless audio streaming system can bring more smiles to your team’s work life, and make you the boss of the year!