5 Productivity Solutions Small Businesses Should Consider Adopting in 2018

Productivity and efficiency are critically important for small businesses that don’t have the luxury of wasting resources. However, it isn’t always easy figuring out how to maximize productivity in different areas of your business. But the good news is there are a number of solutions specifically designed to help you tackle the challenges in these areas.

Try These 5 Productivity Solutions

It used to be that small businesses had very limited potential. While they’ve traditionally done well within the confines of limited geographical markets – typically small towns or rural areas – it’s always been a major challenge for small businesses to compete at a larger scale and/or on a national level. But in the words of the great Bob Dylan, “The times they are a changin’.”

Today, small businesses have access to powerful technology that’s scalable and cost-effective. As a result, they’re able to remain nimble and enjoy the benefits that come with being small, while simultaneously adopting powerful tools and solutions that allow them to compete on the big stage.

While we could look at any category of software/automated solutions, productivity is one of the more interesting and practical areas. As such, let’s check out five of the top productivity solutions modern businesses are using to close the gap with larger, resource-laden companies.

1. Evernote

It’s nearly impossible to discuss productivity tools without talking about Evernote. This best-in-class productivity app helps employees organize thoughts, create outlines, and visualize the important things going on in different projects and assignments. Best of all, you can seamlessly transition from desktop to tablet to smartphone without losing anything.

2. The Receptionist

The role of the receptionist is an important one in the office. Not only does a receptionist handle administrative tasks and answer phone calls, but they also greet guests and serve as the face of your business. They set the tone and influence first impressions of your business. The problem is that they often get so tied up with menial tasks that they can’t give the time and attention they need to provide guests and visitors a personal level of care. The Receptionist is a visitor management system that streamlines tasks like visitor check-ins, deliveries, visitor registrations, badge printing and maintaining visitor logs.

3. Slack

Issues with communication are equally prevalent in small businesses and large organizations. Email is distracting, phone calls aren’t always possible, and trying to track down someone when they work remotely can be challenging at times. With a tool like Slack, a streamlined instant messaging application designed for business use, you can get everyone on the same page and maximize efficiency in your corporate communications.

4. FreshBooks

If we’re being honest, few things are more frustrating and painstakingly laborious than creating and sending invoices. Your time is much better spent performing actual work, though you can’t get paid if you don’t invoice. Thankfully, the FreshBooks platform helps with this common pain point. Not only does it assist you in designing better invoices, but it also allows you to set up automatic billing for recurring invoices and accept a variety of payments.

5. Magnet

Finally, there’s Magnet. Though it might not get the same recognition that the other tools and solutions on this list get, it’s just as valuable. It gives Mac users the ability to keep their desktop organized by snapping screens into place and easily organizing multiple windows at once.

Give Your Small Business a Big Boost

As a small business, you already lack many of the resources that your larger competitors can easily access. Having said that, you can’t afford to sit back and waste time and energy on time-intensive tasks that could easily be automated via modern technology.

Find a couple of tools that address your biggest pain points and see what a difference they make.