Business Solutions & Software Group Blog

Sometimes, one of the best ways to get things done is to take a step back and think. Imagine a chess grandmaster sitting and staring at the board, planning moves for the next seven turns.

To be more productive, think about your tasks like a chess grandmaster. Here's how to do it:

Every business has a choice to make in the productivity software they use. Some options offer cloud connectivity and robust collaboration, but might cost more than small business owners want to pay; while others are affordable, but may not have the integrated options of their more expensive counterparts. In this week’s blog we will go through six aspects of modern productivity software.

"Toxic" is a word we hear a lot these days, but when it’s used to describe a workplace, it’s a serious issue. A toxic work environment can cause many problems that hurt your business. That’s why it’s important to make sure your company has a positive, healthy atmosphere.

Sometimes, the simplest tips are the most effective, particularly when promoting productivity. While tools like the Eisenhower Matrix or the after-action review certainly have their place, they are ill-suited to those moments where you just need to get through a long, arduous task.

In these cases, why not just keep doing one more?

Business can be challenging, even when things are going well. You still have to address issues and the problems they create when they aren’t taken care of promptly. Some of these issues can be so catastrophic that keeping a positive mindset can be the greatest challenge of all—yet that doesn't diminish its value.

Project management, or the process of managing all a business' internal efforts, is something every organization deals with regularly. Therefore, this process must go as smoothly as possible. We’ve put together some practices that should help.

Businesses face a myriad of challenges, many of which originate from within their walls. Whether it's dealing with cyberthreats, dissatisfied customers, or unreliable suppliers, every business leader must navigate various internal and external issues. However, internal problems can sometimes be the most disruptive. Today, we’ll explore two significant employee-related challenges that can create substantial obstacles for business owners.

The smartphone is right there with your car keys and your wallet with the must-haves when you leave the house. You’ll also find yourself laying on your couch or in bed staring at it for an hour. They are a tool that everyone seemingly uses all the time, and can be a huge benefit for individual productivity.

Sometimes, the most straightforward tips, like the Undo button, can be the most powerful. If you mess up, most Windows programs (and other visual programs) let you undo what you did before. Today, we want to remind you of Undo and Redo, as well as three other essential keyboard shortcuts.

Productivity fuels your business and its profits, so it makes sense to consider it when examining your business’ performance. Small and medium-sized businesses, or SMBs, have opportunities to improve operations through the use of productivity technology. Let’s explore some of these strategies!

It’s no secret that things are more expensive nowadays, making it important that businesses have access to the technology needed to generate revenue. Without this access, a business suffers downtime and all the challenges it brings… not something you want to do.

Let’s consider why downtime happens, the scale of its costs, and what can be done to avoid it.

We all want our businesses to succeed… that’s generally the point of running one. However, this will require you to set the right goals and do so correctly.

Let’s walk through the process you should follow to accomplish this.

A lot is made of the rising costs that everyone is seeing over the past several years. This inflation extends itself for IT-related downtime as well. Now that most businesses are using some form of technology to run their business, losing access to those systems for any length of time can be a major problem. Today, we’ll take a look at the cost of downtime, what causes it, and how to ensure that you do everything you can to keep it from negatively affecting your business.

Boosting team productivity is a key goal for any organization, yet it's often challenging. Impediments like unclear goals, poor communication, and inadequate resources can hinder progress toward this objective. Nevertheless, your business must be able to overcome these obstacles. Let’s explore how to track team productivity and some effective tips to help foster a more productive work environment.

Your business should actively work to maximize its customer potential, and the only way to do this is through a customer relationship management tool, or CRM solution. If you’re using a CRM to the best of your ability, you can use your existing client base to make more money while also bringing more leads to the table.

Having the right mindset is half the battle for completing any task, but it’s especially important in circumstances such as remote work. Let’s explore some of the important concepts of mindset and what upper admin and management can do to support workers as they foster the mindset appropriate for remote work.

Establishing and nurturing positive customer relationships stands as important for any business. A vital tool in achieving this goal is the implementation of a customer relationship management (CRM) platform. While many CRMs share common features, some offer more advanced capabilities at a higher cost. This month, we will explore the suitable CRM options for businesses at different levels.

In 2022, Microsoft introduced the concept of "productivity paranoia," highlighting managers' overwhelming concerns that remote workers might not be operating at peak efficiency. As remote and hybrid work models persist, however, a new manifestation has surfaced: the pervasive feeling among workers that they must constantly prove their productivity while working from home.

It’s been a few years since remote work was suddenly thrust into popularity, and in that time, remote or hybrid styles of work have become a means for businesses to return to normal operations without requiring a full return to the office. While many seem perfectly content to continue operating in this way, there are businesses that are pushing for a return to how things once were.

Let’s talk about why this strategy may not be all that wise.

It’s undeniable that remote work offers numerous benefits for workers and for businesses, but like anything good, it also presents challenges—namely in that it can affect employees' productivity. Here are five common problems remote employees may face in maintaining productivity.