Working adults spend a third of their day inside offices, while business owners spend more. Even so, some may feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Once they tick off one or two on their to-do list, several tasks pile up once again.
If this resonates with you, you need streamlined processes to help you work smarter and not necessarily harder. Various technologies are available to minimize inefficiencies and free up your workload. These tools require upfront costs, but the investment is well worth it in the long run.
This article discusses some productivity-boosting technologies, including automation tools for various workflows.
Process Automation Tools
Manual workflows take too much of a worker’s daily activities. A 2021 survey, for instance, discovered that up to 94% of US “knowledge workers” spend data entry, document and invoice management, and copying data from one platform to another. These time-consuming routine tasks veer your team away from complex tasks that require human touch.
Business process automation tools address these and other problems bugging an organization. These applications automate processes to remove unnecessary steps in your day-to-day operations—without compromising work quality. Here are some of the key business tasks that benefit from these tools:
- Client scheduling apps and customer relationship management software for boosting customer services
- Marketing automation technologies for your sales campaigns, including email marketing
- Human resource tools to manage team member payroll and benefits or make the hiring, onboarding, and employee training processes a breeze.
- Reporting and analytics for generating valuable insights on business performance
Streamlining business processes requires ensuring your hardware and software are capable of handling any process improvement you wish to implement. If you need help figuring out where to start, you can hire IT support team at ProSource and similar firms to help assess your needs and provide tailored solutions for your digital transformation.
Cloud Storage and Knowledge Management Platforms
Estimates reveal that workers spend around two hours searching and gathering information—perhaps more if you don’t have an organized data storage system. Cloud storage services provide
a secure and accessible location to store all your files, which is accessible from any device. Your staff can share files easily with colleagues and work on the latest document version simultaneously.
At the same time, a knowledge management system—which is mainly used to understand an organization’s current processes and culture—can help improve several operations. With it, companies can perform process mapping before introducing data-driven enhancements.
Integrating these applications and maintaining your IT solutions efficiently requires expertise. Consider working with a managed IT services provider like AxiaTP and other companies in your area for a systematic approach and stress-free implementation.
Project Management Tools
Constantly juggling tasks, deadlines, and collaborations is common to all businesses. However, it doesn’t have to be challenging if you have project management software. These platforms provide a central hub for everything related to your projects:
- Task Management: Break down large projects into manageable tasks, assign deadlines, and track progress.
- Collaboration: Share files, have discussions, and keep everyone on the same page.
- Resource Management: Allocate resources effectively and ensure everyone is working on the right things.
This workflow automation software saves you from making sticky notes or writing endless email chains to keep everything neatly organized while ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks.
With several options on the market, it pays to choose the right tool that aligns with your specific needs and preferences. Some offer more customization options than others. Do some research and explore free trials to find the perfect fit.
Communication and Collaboration Platforms
Effective communication and collaboration are the backbone of any productive team. But it isn’t always easy, especially if you’re managing a remote workforce.
Besides addressing common challenges, you need powerful communication platforms that facilitate seamless conversations, file sharing, and even video conferencing. These primary tools can help you achieve them:
- Team Chat Platforms: These tools facilitate real-time communication through chat channels, fostering a more collaborative environment.
- Video Conferencing: This platform allows for face-to-face interaction without the need to be in the same physical location.
- Project Management Communication: Utilize the built-in communication features of your project management tool to keep everyone updated on the project’s progress.
The technologies above keep your team connected, ensuring that important information is easily accessible and discussions are organized neatly into channels. No more cluttered inboxes or endless reply-all chains.
Productivity Apps and Extensions
Sometimes, productivity boils down to the little things—those tiny tweaks that can make a big difference in your daily workflow. This is where productivity apps and extensions come into play. They include distraction blockers and note-taking apps designed to help you stay focused, organized, and efficient.
Time Tracking and Analysis
Knowledge is power, and when it comes to productivity, understanding how you spend your time is invaluable. Time tracking tools not only help you log your hours but also provide insightful analytics on where your time is being spent. Armed with this information, you can identify time-wasters and make informed decisions to optimize your workflow.
The Bottomline
Streamlining business processes isn’t just about increasing productivity. It’s about spending your time and effort on things that truly matter. It’s also about leveraging technology to design workflows that work for you and not against you.
Improving workflows is an ongoing initiative. As your business evolves, your needs also change. It’s essential to experiment with different tools and strategies until you find one that empowers continuous improvement.