Dont Let Technology Hurt Your Productivity

Dont Let Technology Hurt Your Productivity Image Source Whether you’re a business owner working with a dozen employees or you’re a solopreneur working from home, we all rely on technology every single day in an effort to be more productive. We use different digital tools to automate certain business processes, we communicate via digital channels with our clients as well as our colleagues, and we strive to use a range of project management software solutions to make sure we’re on top of all of our tasks and deadlines. In the rush to find the latest tech product that promises to boost productivity, many businesses fail to notice that some of these decisions can actually hinder their performance. It all depends on how you implement these solutions, and how you train yourself as well as your employees to use them. While every business and every person has unique needs and preferences, there are certain tech-based commonalities that can jeopardize our productivity. Here are a few to keep in mind, alongside solutions that will help you solve and prevent productivity issues in the future. Digital distractions As soon as your phone alerts you of a new text message or an email, your brain responds even if you choose to ignore the notification. Alas, it’s too late for your brain, since the distraction has already prevented your mind from seamlessly directing its attention towards the task at hand. To be more precise, it can take as much as 23 minutes to restore your focus after a digital distraction. Although communication depends on digital tools, reducing your number of active notifications and alerts can make a tremendous impact on your productivity. Screen your calls, mute your social media, and schedule communication slots such as email correspondence so that you can truly focus on the task at hand. Equipment malfunctions One of the main perks of using tech in the workplace is to save time on menial tasks, automate a range of different processes, and simplify communication to reduce delays. All in all, it’s all about greater efficacy. Businesses also rely on tech to create and provide entire services, from customer support, web development, to content creation and graphic design. If your key people end up with a computer that’s on a rampage or a security threat, you have to deal with the issue immediately to save time and reduce your losses. One of the simplest ways to stay on top of your tech needs is to allow an experienced IT provider such as Computer Emergency to keep an eye on your systems, spot any issues and resolve them in time, and protect your data with advanced security measures. Letting someone who’s an expert in the field handle your equipment can prevent unwanted emergency situations and protect your productivity every day. Security risks A business can only be productive when work is done in a safe and secure environment, including its digital realm. Most, if not all businesses today rely on their internet connection to communicate during the day, to complete projects, and to answer customer queries. Remove the internet connection, and you suddenly have an office in chaos. However, that very same internet connection provides an opportunity for hackers to penetrate your network and wreak havoc on your systems and steal your data. Such security breaches are more than enough to rob you of hours of productive work since you need to work on mitigating the problem immediately. Smart devices are only as smart as the people who use them, so make sure that your employees are well-versed in the latest cybersecurity preventative measures that will help them make smarter decisions when using the internet and their tech. This is a pivotal issue for any business today, and it will not only save your reputation, but also your day-to-day business efficacy. The oversaturation of tech at work Sitting at your office desk means that you’re surrounded by various seemingly helpful items such as your laptop, your tablet, your smartphone, and perhaps a slew of other gadgets that promise streamlined work. Alas, research has shown that even the presence of your smartphone can decrease your cognitive capacity, since the object’s vicinity is enough to cause you to be distracted, anticipate notifications, calls, messages, and regularly glance at it from your workstation. Although it’s not productive to ban phones altogether, either, you can start by reducing the number of tech tools you have at your disposal. Perhaps it’s time to put away your phone into your jacket or your drawer. Maybe your tablet won’t be necessary until it’s time for a pitch or a presentation, so you can stick to your laptop only. This will help you avoid that brain-drain and sustain your focus in order to be productive during your work hours. Yes, the emergence of different digital and tech-based solutions has enabled us to grow new business ideas and develop our careers immeasurably. However, there are certain pitfalls of technology that too many driven professionals fail to notice in time, and it can cost them their productivity and their reputation down the line. Use these pointers to keep an eye on your own behaviors with technology, so that you can build a more beneficial relationship with all of your tools and preserve your productivity in the process.