Productivity Tips in a Time of COVID-19

Does technology hold the key to being more productive at work?  The current pandemic is putting us all to the test, as we try to remain productive while working at home.  Business Optimizer takes a look at some of the best solutions for boosting productivity.

If we’ve learned anything from the last few weeks, it’s that being productive at home can be a challenge.

Let’s consider a few tips and apps that can help.

#1. Create the right environment

Ok, so it’s not an app, but it is important… Perhaps the most essential productivity tip is to create a workspace or zone if you can.  This way, you create a distance between your work and home life which is important to help you switch off at the end of the day as well as boosting concentration when you are in your work zone.

#2. Microsoft Teams

Video conferencing is the number one tool we’re all using in this pandemic.  Microsoft Teams has many cool features – not least the close integration with the other productivity and office tools of Microsoft 365.

With experts raising concerns about the security of other video chat and conferencing tools such as Zoom or House Party, businesses should stick to the tried and trusted tools.

#3. Trello

Trello is a great tool for managing tasks and projects – either for yourself or other team members.  Create cards for each task and then list the activities associated with it.  It’s easy to keep track of what you’ve achieved and what you still need to do.

#4. Asana

If your projects are bigger and more complex than you’d want to rely on Trello to manage, you might want to upgrade your remote project management cloud app to Asana.  This productivity app is ideal for project management of large-scale projects and supports an Agile way of working.

#5. Snappa

Canny marketers will be using this time to boost marketing, not scale it back.  Get the messaging right, and you’ve a greater chance to make a bigger impact. 

We’ve mentioned Snappa before here on Business Optimizer. It’s a fab graphics design tool for creating graphics for your website and social media accounts.  You can quickly create a more professional look using its preloaded templates without the expense of a graphic designer.

#6. People Per Hour / Upwork / Freelancer

One of the best skills you can master if you want to be really productive is to learn how to delegate.  It’s super easy to delegate in this day and age.  Online marketplaces where you can hire freelancers make it easy to get the job done – whatever the job that needs doing.

#7. Get more sleep

Don’t let the streaming services take the place of late-night socializing: use your time wisely and instigate a new and better sleep routine and you’ll gain enormous productivity benefits.  It can even make you more creative!

#8.  The good old-fashioned pen and paper

Ok, so it’s not an app. But it remains our favorite productivity tool.

If you’re a small business owner and you’d like more advice about great apps for making your small business more productive, read our suggestions here.