Who is the most productive member of staff in your organisation? Chances are there is one name that will spring immediately to mind – that employee that is absolutely essential to your firm’s success – and then the rest will fall into place.

I would also hazard a bet that when thinking of your most valuable staff you do not think of all your male employees first and then female staff afterwards.

A recent survey by OfficeMetrics has supposedly revealed that men are more productive in the workplace than women despite spending less time in the office.

The survey claims that in January 2009, women were only 87% as productive as men during the working day despite being in the office for almost an hour longer.

This survey proves the rule that figures can be made to say anything (quite how they worked out that women were 87% as effective as men is unclear) but is a good reminder that all small business owners must be constantly evaluating staff.

A business can have the best products and services in the market, but if the staff are not effective and good at their jobs as competitors then the business will not be a success.

Company owners must ensure that they identify the staff that are most productive and then reward them appropriately; be this monetary reward or more responsibility in the firm.

It is only by hanging onto and rewarding their best and most productive staff that an organisation will survive, and then thrive.