We have entered a new era of business, which is remote, hybrid, and indicative of the emergence of the modern firm.
The COVID-19 epidemic has made its imprint on the corporate world, with some alterations appearing to be permanent. Consequently, firms of all sizes are rushing to reinvent themselves to remain competitive in the altering market. As the experience of Blockbuster’s inability to adapt to digital transformation demonstrates, a failure to adapt can prove disastrous.
So, it’s either sink or swim for many organizations; nevertheless, what does this market shift mean for businesses?
Well, the key challenge that many businesses must now address is how to manage a predominantly remote staff. This encompasses everything, including how to increase productivity, monitor performance, and maintain control of operations.
Consider this guide to be your all-inclusive cheat sheet, describing the most effective productivity tools that a modern organization may employ to survive in these fast changing times. Let’s examine a few of the benefits of productivity tools.
Document Exchange
Every business, regardless of size, uses documents daily. Therefore, it is essential to give employees with a simple method for viewing, altering, and sharing papers.
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are all useful software for a variety of departments, and for some businesses, the Microsoft Office suite is adequate. However, for some, a cloud-based solution such as Google Docs may be preferable.
With a cloud-based solution, document sharing is significantly simplified, allowing teams to work efficiently and immediately. In addition, it is the ideal solution to the problem of distance. With cloud-based document sharing, a line manager can review an employee’s work without having to exchange emails or download documents.
File storage
In the same way that document sharing is essential, you also need a robust system for keeping the vast quantity of company files.
DropBox Business is one of the most popular alternatives, since it provides for the secure storage of up to three gigabytes of files. The software also allows users to digitally sign documents, which is a time-saving feature.
Time monitoring
When it comes to monitoring employee productivity, time trackers are among the most effective tools. Time trackers, which include job monitoring software, enable you to assess employee performance based on the most valuable metric: time.
Instead than evaluating employees based on the number of activities or projects they’ve accomplished, time trackers provide a comprehensive view of how they spend their time during business hours. This information can be used to determine how much idle time exists and how to reduce it. Additionally, you may use the time data to generate thorough reports to accurately inform your payroll.
With a lot of time data at your disposal, performance evaluations become much more objective, and you’re in an excellent position to make adjustments if you observe worrying trends. This is only one of the many benefits of productivity tools.
Project management
Utilization of project management software by modern businesses is on the rise. Why?
Because these technologies enable you to improve and automate your most important procedures, delegate and track projects, and foster successful team collaboration. In addition, using project management software attracts top talent.
Today, top talent has all the cards, since they are aware that if a company does not offer a flexible schedule, remote work, or current software tools, they can search elsewhere.
As a result, project management software can facilitate not only the streamlining of present processes and the enhancement of efficiency, but also the improvement of recruitment efforts. In addition, once new employees are made, onboarding will be straightforward, as it will only need introducing them to the software and getting them up to speed.
Accounting
This is a tool for the HR or accounting department, and it is vital. Accounting software streamlines the bookkeeping process, reducing the possibility of human error and making number crunching considerably easier.
FreshBooks is accounting software that enables users to conveniently record and track spending, manage payments, and perform a variety of other financial chores. Accounting process optimization can increase the accounting department’s efficiency and save your business money in the long term.
Automation equipment
Why devote so much effort to mundane things when they can be automated?
This is the foundation of apps such as Zapier and Mailchimp, which try to automate essential business activities.
Automation is the best solution to reduce time spent on tasks that do not necessitate human intervention at every step. Let’s take emails for example. However, personally sending dozens or more emails per day can be excessively time-consuming and, honestly, a diversion from higher-priority responsibilities.
Focus aids
Although it may appear more appropriate to a personal context than a professional one, focus tools, or those that help you concentrate, can be extremely valuable for the modern business.
It is not commonplace for businesses to form partnerships with health-conscious software developers, such as Calm, and offer it as an employee benefit. Encouragement of beneficial habits, particularly those that aid concentration, can pave the path for increased productivity.
A further illustration would be a tool like Brain.fm, which plays music that has been scientifically designed to aid with concentration. Yes, it is unorthodox, but this is what distinguishes a modern firm from a stagnant one: its willingness to employ innovative approaches to effect company-wide transformation.
Communication
Last but not least are the communication tools.
Software that facilitates efficient communication and cooperation is becoming crucial for a growing number of enterprises. Tools such as Slack, which enable teams and employees to engage through context-specific ‘channels,’ are incredibly useful for boosting productivity.
Zoom is also significant since it enables huge video conferences that can substitute for traditional meetings and briefings.
Last words
To succeed as a modern business, one must be adaptable and flexible. Adopting productivity-enhancing software applications is one of the finest ways to keep up with the current.