3 ways to maximize productivity using tech-based tools

Productivity in a digital business landscape can be difficult to harness. There's a lot vying for our attention on a daily basis and oftentimes we fail to use our time effectively. Fortunately, the productivity problem can be solved with one, relatively, simple change: utilizing tech-based tools.

Determining pain points that could be solved or improved with tech-based solutions is the first step towards a viable tech plan that aligns with operational strategies. Once these issues are identified, a comprehensive list of tech tools can be devised to meet the demands of the company and ensure continued success. Here's how to execute each of these steps to maximize employee productivity with the use of tech-based tools.

Find pain points

Finding pain points requires a non-biased approach to determine and justify the problems facing productivity prior to tackling a solution. This crucial step will help with narrowing down the tech tools needed to meet demands. Take a look at your current productivity metrics to see where employees are falling short to gain an accurate insight into problem areas. For example, work overload is a major culprit of decreased productivity, with 68% of employees feeling they just don't have enough time to complete all of their tasks. Metrics like that can give you quantitative insight into this issue, while employee surveys get qualitative feedback into what they need in order to complete daily tasks.

Lack of collaboration in the workplace is another common issue facing modern workplaces. Through the use of tech solutions, open communication and collaboration across all levels are possible in real-time, ultimately improving productivity and efficiency. Meetings are more personable as well, with remote employees being able to video conference and join the conversation visually and verbally. Collaboration is key to internal operations and allows for comprehensive solutions that are devised of multiple perspectives and insights. It also helps with retention, with 73% of disengaged employees consistently looking for a new job. Technology helps to fill in communication gaps, and engage employees with readily available collaboration resources.

Apply the right tech tools

Okay, so you've identified pain points and gaps in your business. Now what? Starting with internal tools that will help support the business operations, an ERP system should be invested in to ensure strong project management capabilities. A proper ERP system can organize services in a way that creates higher efficiency, clarity, and organization for employees. It standardizes processes as well to ensure all internal and external strategies are held to a common standard. Employees can then set their own operational goals, making productivity more achievable through schedules, organized tasks.

Communication tools are another major resource to improve engagement as mentioned in the pain points section above. Productivity improves by 20-25% in organizations with connected employees. Employers should invest in real-time chat applications that allow employees to connect at any time of day. These are especially helpful with remote work or flextime as an option. Make the implemented tech solutions mobile, to allow employees to work at times that work best with their personal schedules, or when they feel most productive to increase higher quality, timely work, with less burnout amongst employees. Meeting tech tools are also a viable resource with remote work, or connecting externally, and keep meetings running smoothly and on topic, with higher employee engagement. It also helps to increase productivity by getting everyone on the same page during meetings and communicating clear expectations and take-aways from the meeting.

Set goals

Setting goals is key to having a sustainable tech strategy in place that results in long-term positive effects on productivity. Goals hold employees accountable for using newly implemented tech solutions as well and helps promote stronger productivity and engagement. Data collected routinely in relation to this engagement allows employers to benchmark costs, and eliminate any unnecessary tools along the way to better narrow down the best possible strategy and tools. Other metrics determine which have the most effect on productivity as well to further adjust and evolve the tech strategy.

Creating a technological plan within the operational structure instills a succession plan as well to ensure the tech-based tools evolve with the changing digital world. Keeping tools up-to-date, along with training related to these updates is key to staying relevant in the growing digital business landscape. Ensure training of new tech solutions is comprehensive and in-depth, so employees get the most out of tech-based solutions to ultimately increase productivity levels.