How to increase your productivity + Downloadable Guide

Productivity is a hot-button issue for many business owners and managers. Right now the world is talking about productivity for remote workers and businesses with limited staff. Everyone is aiming to be more productive with fewer resources. Many are failing. PIQNIC is at the forefront of the productivity issue, and we’ve compiled this handy guide to give you insight into what you can do as a business owner, manager, or employee to become more productive at work.

A real-world productivity failure

Picture this: Company A (not their real name) is a collaborative team that works with multiple clients and contractors. To manage documents and files, they have an internal server, and then they use Google Drive and Dropbox. They have third-party apps to protect their passwords, with external software to protect their sensitive client documents and collateral. They have chat apps and online meetings to communicate with their team, clients, and contractors. They also send multiple emails per day to each person. To manage their tasks they use a workflow manager that requires them to manually type their tasks and update their progress in text.

Additionally, they have to capture the same information on the specific client file in their Hubspot CRM. After that, they also email an update to their line manager and their customer. At this point, they also have to set up a reminder either on Google Calendar, on Hubspot Tasks, or by physically writing it in a diary to remember to follow up on any outstanding jobs. Weeks down the line, they spend a considerable amount of time backtracking to find all the relevant and latest information for each project. They make a lot of mistakes by looking at the wrong version of a document since they either can't find what they are looking for or it is stored incorrectly. Then they have to spend time emailing back and forth, to make sure that the project gets back on track and everyone agrees on the progress. So much time wasted!

Productivity under the microscope

In a recent article on TVNZ, it is reported that the New Zealand Productivity Commission says Kiwis are working about two hours more per week than people in other OECD countries, but are producing $17 less. The article postulates that new technology needs to be created and new and better ways of working to improve productivity in New Zealand. Our example of Company A demonstrates how this scenario plays out in a real Kiwi business. They are using multiple single-purpose apps which are meant to improve their team collaboration, document management, and workflow. Rather, these apps are duplicating tasks, losing information and complicating communication. This is essentially hampering their efforts and making them less productive.

A better way with PIQNIC

Now picture Company B. They have PIQNIC, the super-platform for team collaboration, task and document management, and information governance. They've invited their client to the project to upload documents and communicate directly to the team what they require done. There they communicate with the client, the team, and the outside contractor in real time. These communications along with all the documents a files are connected to the project, so all communication is stored in one place. Within PIQNIC, the tasks are set up and progress is monitored for the entire project as well as each individual. The platform reminds them when a task is due. Weeks later, a team member goes into the project to see exactly what the progress is on the project, look at the latest document versions, and communicate with the client and team to finalize the project. Working smarter made simple. 

How PIQNIC improves productivity

Getting to the root of what is robbing you of productivity seems like a simple task. If you apply the 5 Whys technique, you will very clearly see what lies at the heart of a company's productivity issues. Chances are that it comes down to much the same as Company A in our example. The process is set up for failure! PIQNIC improves productivity by doing the following:

• All your information and knowledge is captured, classified, secured and instantly available. No more jumping between apps or software platforms. 
• Managed, controlled and secure file sharing meets real-time collaboration and document management. Stop sending files via email or uploading them to various file-sharing apps. 
• PIQNIC combines real-time workspaces, task and project management, communications, workflow, and file sharing, cleverly connected with document management, all in one place. Use a single comprehensive platform for all your business needs. 
• Fast, fun, secure, and easy to use business-grade communication without all the distractions, lost files, and information buried in endless threads. With PIQNIC, chat is built-in so people and teams are always communicating on topic.
• Free up your time from everyday receptive tasks. Now you can automate, track and complete processes that you build yourself.
• With our robust platform security, admins totally control what levels they apply to data and users. No more third-party security systems. 
• Simple menus and dashboards make it easy for non-technical people to administer the platform.

PIQNIC addresses failures in efficiency, security, and process in one super-platform. We've found that user resistance is low because this software really does make your life easier! From 22 years of observing how teams work with document management, team collaboration tools, and process management we created a smart, intuitive platform that works with you. 

Productivity with PIQNIC

With PIQNIC you can plan your day’s tasks ahead of time. You can set goals and reminders for each task you want to accomplish. You can easily see your to-do list, and tick off what has been done. Your schedule per day is set out for you as you go along, which means you can track and limit time spent per task within the PIQNIC platform. Reviewing the day to plan the next day is easy, and so is reviewing your week. 

Distractions are minimized since you are using the PIQNIC platform for messaging. All the information is contained per project and progress for each team member is tracked here. Tasks can be easily delegated and decision-making can be assigned. Since you know who is doing what, how they are progressing and what each person is busy with unnecessary communication and meetings are eliminated.

The PIQNIC team has spent a lot of time looking at how people work and making this platform easy to use, fun, and very practical. The aim is to simplify team collaboration, workflow, and document management. In turn, this frees up a lot of time for you to do what is important. It creates a perfect environment for productivity. 

If your productivity is a priority to you, get in touch with PIQNIC for a free, no-obligation demo today.