Then they met a guide, this article, that taught them how to deal with these issues and improve productivity in their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the end of the article, they learned how to optimize work processes and build more efficient workplaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Want to follow in their footsteps? Let\u2019s get started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to improve business productivity in 6 steps?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nImproving business productivity can be a complicated process. It requires auditing your current processes, setting clear goals, and improving outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are six essential steps to make your team more productive:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Graph](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-6.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Conduct a productivity audit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFirst, do some self-assessment across your entire business. Thoroughly audit your current workflows, your employees’ tasks, and the overall output. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is necessary to improve productivity, identify inefficiencies, and find areas for improvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Track can help with your productivity audit in three ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Tracks time accurately for a project and its tasks so you get a clear picture of where and how your team spends time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Helps you identify bottleneck tasks by comparing the estimated time against the actual hours tracked.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Implement technology solutions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTools like project management software<\/a>, time tracking apps<\/a>, and automation platforms can cut your manual work and boost productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThese tools can also speed up processes and reduce errors, helping teams deliver high-quality work more efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A time tracking tool<\/a> like Toggl Track can improve business productivity as it: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Helps you categorize and manage clients, projects, and tasks to keep your work organized and transparent.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Uses data from past projects to create more accurate estimates for new projects, helping you plan better and allocate resources effectively.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Compares estimated vs actual time spent on tasks to monitor project progress and get insights into productivity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Integrates with Google and Outlook calendars. Toggl Track records time spent in meetings and other calendar events to ensure accurate time tracking records.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tracks and reports billable and non-billable hours<\/a> for accurate invoicing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/productivity-tracker-app-112x70.jpg\")
\n 10 Best Productivity Trackers in 2026 (& Key Features)<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n3. Invest in employee training and development<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTraining and developing employee skills like communication abilities or technical skills can improve business productivity and efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you too want to get started with investing in employee training, here are some things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Assess skill gaps and identify the areas where your employees could improve or need new skills. Use performance reviews, direct observations, and team leader feedback to conduct a skills audit. Surveys and skill tests<\/a> can also help you spot employee strengths and weaknesses.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Develop your training plan that addresses these skill gaps. Your plan should have specific goals and timelines. Also, think of the type of training sessions (online, in-person, on-the-job) that would be the most suitable for your team.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/measure-employee-productivity-112x67.jpg\")
\n How to Measure Employee Productivity [2024 Guide]<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n \n ![\"How](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/employee-productivity-112x67.jpg\")
\n How To Improve Employee Productivity – 10 Tested Ways [2024]<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n4. Revise work processes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLow productivity can sometimes be the result of poorly managed work processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revising and optimizing workflows across the entire organization can improve this. This could be changes like rethinking how you allocate resources or eliminating unnecessary tasks to reduce employee burnout and turnover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are two workflow optimization best practices to help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Automate routine tasks<\/strong>: Are there any repetitive and time-consuming tasks within your workflow? It\u2019s time to automate them using specialized software. For example, let\u2019s say your team has weekly check-up meetings every Monday morning. You can use Zoom to automatically schedule these meetings so nobody misses them.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Standardize processes<\/strong>: Create standardized procedures for repetitive tasks to ensure consistency and reduce training time for new employees. For example, identify common tasks and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each of them. SOPs usually include step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. Create templates or checklists for repetitive tasks like email responses, reports, or proposals to speed things up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5. Set clear goals and metrics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nClear goals and metrics lay the foundation of productive businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goals are specific objectives that a business or project aims to achieve. Metrics are measurable values used to track progress toward these goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some tips for you to establish clear, measurable goals are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use key performance indicators to identify key metrics that are indicators of success. These could include sales targets or customer satisfaction ratings.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Schedule regular check-ins and review sessions to track progress against goals.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use visual tracking tools like Toggl Plan to track your metrics regularly with detailed reports.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensure that the goals you set for team members and teams align with the overall strategic goals of your business.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
6. Foster a culture of communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen your team communicates effectively, it shows in their performance and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s how efficient communication might look like in a team:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Members feel safe and encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas openly without fear of judgment.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They hold regular feedback sessions where they express their concerns and discuss work issues.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They receive training on communication skills, including constructively giving and receiving feedback.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transparency and open communication are rewarded in the workplace.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Plan has a Comments feature that promotes efficient team communication. You can leave comments on tasks from Toggl Plan and mention any person in your workspace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-13.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat can a business do to improve its productivity?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are many ways you can improve your business productivity. Small changes, like culling pointless meetings, are a good start. Strategies like better delegation, remote work, and optimal resource allocation can also help your business be more productive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will cover these nine essential steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Graph](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-10.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Cut off unnecessary meetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMany meetings can be redundant or inefficient and take more than they give. To avoid and reduce unnecessary meetings, you can optimize the impact of team meetings with the following strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Can the meeting be via email, memo, or quick phone call instead? Consider if you can achieve the meeting\u2019s objectives in a faster way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For necessary meetings, clearly define the agenda ahead of time to keep the discussion focused and time-efficient.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Invite only those team members whose presence is needed to discuss agenda topics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Start the meeting on time and set a strict cut-off to respect everyone\u2019s schedule and keep things efficient.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Give feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFeedback helps employees understand what they are doing well and where to improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, not all feedback is created equally. Negative feedback may hurt your team\u2019s productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to using feedback as a productivity tool is to take a constructive approach that focuses on growth rather than criticism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All constructive feedback sessions that motivate and engage have these things in common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Timeliness<\/strong>: They offer immediate feedback to ensure it is fresh and relevant.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Constructive<\/strong>: They acknowledge employees’ hard work and offer actionable advice on how to improve.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Goal-oriented<\/strong>: They align feedback with the broader goals of the team and business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reciprocal<\/strong>: Constructive feedback sessions are a two-way street, encouraging employees to provide their feedback and thoughts.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. Organize the projects into smaller tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGiving your team clear, manageable milestones to work on has many benefits, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Simplifies tracking progress<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reduces overwhelm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improves focus and team morale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Boosts productivity and efficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Using a Work Breakdown Structure, you can easily break down your projects into smaller tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Work Breakdown Structure is a project management tool that divides a project into manageable sections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49Here\u2019s How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure in 6 Steps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWith Toggl Track, you can easily visualize all your tasks through the Project Timeline<\/a> and Project Board features. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTo use these features, enable both Timeline and Board views when setting up a new project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Toggl](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-9.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOn your Project Timeline, you can see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- All the project\u2019s tasks as color-coded and easy-to-move-around Gantt charts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Who\u2019s responsible for each task<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The task\u2019s deadline and status<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Any notes and checklists attached to the task<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-14.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Project Board view shows your tasks at a glance on Kanban boards, which you can easily edit using drag-and-drop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-12.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Ensure your employees are not overworked<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBurned-out employees are more likely to skip work, make mistakes, and work inefficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A study<\/a> published by Frontiers in Public Health showed that participants who scored high on the burnout scale had absentee rates 2-3x higher than employees with low burnout levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEnsuring your employees have the right amount of work on their plates can cut burnout rates and increase productivity. benefits. However, burnout can be challenging to avoid without the right tools to view and manage team workloads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Plan has the solution to this: the Availability Overview<\/a> feature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-5.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn this view, you can see at a glance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Over or under-booked team members<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Booking percentages and available hours for each employee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This visibility lets you assign tasks more efficiently to ensure everyone has the right amount of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Don\u2019t micromanage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAlthough micromanagement may look like it improves productivity, employees do not like it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Micromanagement makes team members feel less empowered to make decisions and take initiative, which can lower their motivation and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of micromanaging employees, business leaders should create a collaborative company culture built on trust and teamwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Sir John Whitmore states in this popular Coaching for Performance masterpiece<\/a>: \u201cA manager must be experienced as a support, not as a threat<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Delegate when it makes sense<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEffective task delegation allows managers to focus on the most important tasks while shifting responsibilities to team members who are capable of handling them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When leaders delegate tasks, they provide employees with opportunities to develop new skills, so it’s a win-win situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some key points on how to delegate effectively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Choose suitable tasks that are not your core responsibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assign the task to someone with appropriate skills and experience.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Communicate expectations and deadlines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use productivity methods like the Eisenhower Matrix\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Empower your employees by giving them your trust that they can handle the task.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check-in periodically, but avoid micromanaging.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Give them constructive feedback after they complete the task.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
7. Reduce time spent on non-billable tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNon-billable hours<\/a> are the time spent on tasks necessary for business operations but do not contribute directly to revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\nExamples of non-billable tasks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Administrative work<\/strong> like scheduling meetings, managing emails, and organizing files.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Internal meetings<\/strong>, training sessions<\/strong>, or company events<\/strong> that don\u2019t involve client work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Business development activities <\/strong>like networking or proposal writing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Unlike billable hours<\/a>, businesses have a habit of not tracking non-billable time, which can leave them in the dark about how they spend work hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBeing aware of your non-billable hours gives you the power to reduce or outsource them and leave more time for completing paid work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Track\u2019s reporting features clearly show where teams spend time and how much time they track for specific activities and tasks. The Summary report lets you easily see billable and non-billable hours and filter your reports by team, client, project, task, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-8.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOr you can generate Detailed reports for a more granular breakdown of all your tracked tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-7.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n ![\"How](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/increase-billables-112x67.jpg\")
\n How to Increase Billable Hours: 7 Ethical Ways<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n8. Encourage breaks and time off<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWork breaks and time off prevent burnout, increase engagement, and improve employee productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recent study<\/a> around micro-breaks found stopping work for up to 10 minutes can help employees increase performance, decrease fatigue, and improve well\u2013being.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo help support this best practice, Toggl Track has a built-in Pomodoro Timer feature that lets you do productive work in 25-minute focused sessions followed by 5-minute breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-11.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nToggl Plan also has a Time Off feature that makes it easy to track and manage employee days off, such as annual leave, public holidays, and sick leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This feature clearly shows who\u2019s available and who\u2019s off to improve project planning and resource allocation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-15.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt also sends scheduling conflict warnings whenever a task and time off overlap to help you avoid scheduling conflicts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n9. Allow for remote work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Conduct a productivity audit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFirst, do some self-assessment across your entire business. Thoroughly audit your current workflows, your employees’ tasks, and the overall output. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is necessary to improve productivity, identify inefficiencies, and find areas for improvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Track can help with your productivity audit in three ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Tracks time accurately for a project and its tasks so you get a clear picture of where and how your team spends time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Helps you identify bottleneck tasks by comparing the estimated time against the actual hours tracked.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Implement technology solutions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTools like project management software<\/a>, time tracking apps<\/a>, and automation platforms can cut your manual work and boost productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThese tools can also speed up processes and reduce errors, helping teams deliver high-quality work more efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A time tracking tool<\/a> like Toggl Track can improve business productivity as it: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Helps you categorize and manage clients, projects, and tasks to keep your work organized and transparent.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Uses data from past projects to create more accurate estimates for new projects, helping you plan better and allocate resources effectively.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Compares estimated vs actual time spent on tasks to monitor project progress and get insights into productivity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Integrates with Google and Outlook calendars. Toggl Track records time spent in meetings and other calendar events to ensure accurate time tracking records.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tracks and reports billable and non-billable hours<\/a> for accurate invoicing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n 10 Best Productivity Trackers in 2026 (& Key Features)<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n
3. Invest in employee training and development<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTraining and developing employee skills like communication abilities or technical skills can improve business productivity and efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you too want to get started with investing in employee training, here are some things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Assess skill gaps and identify the areas where your employees could improve or need new skills. Use performance reviews, direct observations, and team leader feedback to conduct a skills audit. Surveys and skill tests<\/a> can also help you spot employee strengths and weaknesses.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Develop your training plan that addresses these skill gaps. Your plan should have specific goals and timelines. Also, think of the type of training sessions (online, in-person, on-the-job) that would be the most suitable for your team.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n How to Measure Employee Productivity [2024 Guide]<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n How To Improve Employee Productivity – 10 Tested Ways [2024]<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n
4. Revise work processes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLow productivity can sometimes be the result of poorly managed work processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revising and optimizing workflows across the entire organization can improve this. This could be changes like rethinking how you allocate resources or eliminating unnecessary tasks to reduce employee burnout and turnover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are two workflow optimization best practices to help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Automate routine tasks<\/strong>: Are there any repetitive and time-consuming tasks within your workflow? It\u2019s time to automate them using specialized software. For example, let\u2019s say your team has weekly check-up meetings every Monday morning. You can use Zoom to automatically schedule these meetings so nobody misses them.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Standardize processes<\/strong>: Create standardized procedures for repetitive tasks to ensure consistency and reduce training time for new employees. For example, identify common tasks and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each of them. SOPs usually include step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. Create templates or checklists for repetitive tasks like email responses, reports, or proposals to speed things up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5. Set clear goals and metrics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nClear goals and metrics lay the foundation of productive businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goals are specific objectives that a business or project aims to achieve. Metrics are measurable values used to track progress toward these goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some tips for you to establish clear, measurable goals are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use key performance indicators to identify key metrics that are indicators of success. These could include sales targets or customer satisfaction ratings.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Schedule regular check-ins and review sessions to track progress against goals.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use visual tracking tools like Toggl Plan to track your metrics regularly with detailed reports.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensure that the goals you set for team members and teams align with the overall strategic goals of your business.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
6. Foster a culture of communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen your team communicates effectively, it shows in their performance and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s how efficient communication might look like in a team:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Members feel safe and encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas openly without fear of judgment.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They hold regular feedback sessions where they express their concerns and discuss work issues.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They receive training on communication skills, including constructively giving and receiving feedback.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transparency and open communication are rewarded in the workplace.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Plan has a Comments feature that promotes efficient team communication. You can leave comments on tasks from Toggl Plan and mention any person in your workspace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat can a business do to improve its productivity?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are many ways you can improve your business productivity. Small changes, like culling pointless meetings, are a good start. Strategies like better delegation, remote work, and optimal resource allocation can also help your business be more productive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will cover these nine essential steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Cut off unnecessary meetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMany meetings can be redundant or inefficient and take more than they give. To avoid and reduce unnecessary meetings, you can optimize the impact of team meetings with the following strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Can the meeting be via email, memo, or quick phone call instead? Consider if you can achieve the meeting\u2019s objectives in a faster way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For necessary meetings, clearly define the agenda ahead of time to keep the discussion focused and time-efficient.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Invite only those team members whose presence is needed to discuss agenda topics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Start the meeting on time and set a strict cut-off to respect everyone\u2019s schedule and keep things efficient.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Give feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFeedback helps employees understand what they are doing well and where to improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, not all feedback is created equally. Negative feedback may hurt your team\u2019s productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to using feedback as a productivity tool is to take a constructive approach that focuses on growth rather than criticism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All constructive feedback sessions that motivate and engage have these things in common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Timeliness<\/strong>: They offer immediate feedback to ensure it is fresh and relevant.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Constructive<\/strong>: They acknowledge employees’ hard work and offer actionable advice on how to improve.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Goal-oriented<\/strong>: They align feedback with the broader goals of the team and business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reciprocal<\/strong>: Constructive feedback sessions are a two-way street, encouraging employees to provide their feedback and thoughts.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. Organize the projects into smaller tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGiving your team clear, manageable milestones to work on has many benefits, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Simplifies tracking progress<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reduces overwhelm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improves focus and team morale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Boosts productivity and efficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Using a Work Breakdown Structure, you can easily break down your projects into smaller tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Work Breakdown Structure is a project management tool that divides a project into manageable sections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49Here\u2019s How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure in 6 Steps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWith Toggl Track, you can easily visualize all your tasks through the Project Timeline<\/a> and Project Board features. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTo use these features, enable both Timeline and Board views when setting up a new project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOn your Project Timeline, you can see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- All the project\u2019s tasks as color-coded and easy-to-move-around Gantt charts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Who\u2019s responsible for each task<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The task\u2019s deadline and status<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Any notes and checklists attached to the task<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Project Board view shows your tasks at a glance on Kanban boards, which you can easily edit using drag-and-drop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Ensure your employees are not overworked<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBurned-out employees are more likely to skip work, make mistakes, and work inefficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A study<\/a> published by Frontiers in Public Health showed that participants who scored high on the burnout scale had absentee rates 2-3x higher than employees with low burnout levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEnsuring your employees have the right amount of work on their plates can cut burnout rates and increase productivity. benefits. However, burnout can be challenging to avoid without the right tools to view and manage team workloads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Plan has the solution to this: the Availability Overview<\/a> feature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn this view, you can see at a glance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Over or under-booked team members<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Booking percentages and available hours for each employee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This visibility lets you assign tasks more efficiently to ensure everyone has the right amount of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Don\u2019t micromanage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAlthough micromanagement may look like it improves productivity, employees do not like it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Micromanagement makes team members feel less empowered to make decisions and take initiative, which can lower their motivation and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of micromanaging employees, business leaders should create a collaborative company culture built on trust and teamwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Sir John Whitmore states in this popular Coaching for Performance masterpiece<\/a>: \u201cA manager must be experienced as a support, not as a threat<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Delegate when it makes sense<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEffective task delegation allows managers to focus on the most important tasks while shifting responsibilities to team members who are capable of handling them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When leaders delegate tasks, they provide employees with opportunities to develop new skills, so it’s a win-win situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some key points on how to delegate effectively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Choose suitable tasks that are not your core responsibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assign the task to someone with appropriate skills and experience.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Communicate expectations and deadlines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use productivity methods like the Eisenhower Matrix\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Empower your employees by giving them your trust that they can handle the task.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check-in periodically, but avoid micromanaging.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Give them constructive feedback after they complete the task.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
7. Reduce time spent on non-billable tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNon-billable hours<\/a> are the time spent on tasks necessary for business operations but do not contribute directly to revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\nExamples of non-billable tasks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Administrative work<\/strong> like scheduling meetings, managing emails, and organizing files.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Internal meetings<\/strong>, training sessions<\/strong>, or company events<\/strong> that don\u2019t involve client work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Business development activities <\/strong>like networking or proposal writing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Unlike billable hours<\/a>, businesses have a habit of not tracking non-billable time, which can leave them in the dark about how they spend work hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBeing aware of your non-billable hours gives you the power to reduce or outsource them and leave more time for completing paid work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Track\u2019s reporting features clearly show where teams spend time and how much time they track for specific activities and tasks. The Summary report lets you easily see billable and non-billable hours and filter your reports by team, client, project, task, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOr you can generate Detailed reports for a more granular breakdown of all your tracked tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n How to Increase Billable Hours: 7 Ethical Ways<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n8. Encourage breaks and time off<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWork breaks and time off prevent burnout, increase engagement, and improve employee productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recent study<\/a> around micro-breaks found stopping work for up to 10 minutes can help employees increase performance, decrease fatigue, and improve well\u2013being.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo help support this best practice, Toggl Track has a built-in Pomodoro Timer feature that lets you do productive work in 25-minute focused sessions followed by 5-minute breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nToggl Plan also has a Time Off feature that makes it easy to track and manage employee days off, such as annual leave, public holidays, and sick leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This feature clearly shows who\u2019s available and who\u2019s off to improve project planning and resource allocation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt also sends scheduling conflict warnings whenever a task and time off overlap to help you avoid scheduling conflicts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n9. Allow for remote work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Implement technology solutions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTools like project management software<\/a>, time tracking apps<\/a>, and automation platforms can cut your manual work and boost productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThese tools can also speed up processes and reduce errors, helping teams deliver high-quality work more efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A time tracking tool<\/a> like Toggl Track can improve business productivity as it: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Helps you categorize and manage clients, projects, and tasks to keep your work organized and transparent.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Uses data from past projects to create more accurate estimates for new projects, helping you plan better and allocate resources effectively.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Compares estimated vs actual time spent on tasks to monitor project progress and get insights into productivity.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Integrates with Google and Outlook calendars. Toggl Track records time spent in meetings and other calendar events to ensure accurate time tracking records.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tracks and reports billable and non-billable hours<\/a> for accurate invoicing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n 10 Best Productivity Trackers in 2026 (& Key Features)<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n
3. Invest in employee training and development<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTraining and developing employee skills like communication abilities or technical skills can improve business productivity and efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you too want to get started with investing in employee training, here are some things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Assess skill gaps and identify the areas where your employees could improve or need new skills. Use performance reviews, direct observations, and team leader feedback to conduct a skills audit. Surveys and skill tests<\/a> can also help you spot employee strengths and weaknesses.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Develop your training plan that addresses these skill gaps. Your plan should have specific goals and timelines. Also, think of the type of training sessions (online, in-person, on-the-job) that would be the most suitable for your team.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n How to Measure Employee Productivity [2024 Guide]<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n How To Improve Employee Productivity – 10 Tested Ways [2024]<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n
4. Revise work processes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLow productivity can sometimes be the result of poorly managed work processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revising and optimizing workflows across the entire organization can improve this. This could be changes like rethinking how you allocate resources or eliminating unnecessary tasks to reduce employee burnout and turnover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are two workflow optimization best practices to help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Automate routine tasks<\/strong>: Are there any repetitive and time-consuming tasks within your workflow? It\u2019s time to automate them using specialized software. For example, let\u2019s say your team has weekly check-up meetings every Monday morning. You can use Zoom to automatically schedule these meetings so nobody misses them.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Standardize processes<\/strong>: Create standardized procedures for repetitive tasks to ensure consistency and reduce training time for new employees. For example, identify common tasks and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each of them. SOPs usually include step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. Create templates or checklists for repetitive tasks like email responses, reports, or proposals to speed things up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5. Set clear goals and metrics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nClear goals and metrics lay the foundation of productive businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goals are specific objectives that a business or project aims to achieve. Metrics are measurable values used to track progress toward these goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some tips for you to establish clear, measurable goals are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use key performance indicators to identify key metrics that are indicators of success. These could include sales targets or customer satisfaction ratings.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Schedule regular check-ins and review sessions to track progress against goals.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use visual tracking tools like Toggl Plan to track your metrics regularly with detailed reports.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ensure that the goals you set for team members and teams align with the overall strategic goals of your business.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
6. Foster a culture of communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhen your team communicates effectively, it shows in their performance and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s how efficient communication might look like in a team:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Members feel safe and encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas openly without fear of judgment.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They hold regular feedback sessions where they express their concerns and discuss work issues.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They receive training on communication skills, including constructively giving and receiving feedback.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transparency and open communication are rewarded in the workplace.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Plan has a Comments feature that promotes efficient team communication. You can leave comments on tasks from Toggl Plan and mention any person in your workspace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat can a business do to improve its productivity?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are many ways you can improve your business productivity. Small changes, like culling pointless meetings, are a good start. Strategies like better delegation, remote work, and optimal resource allocation can also help your business be more productive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will cover these nine essential steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Cut off unnecessary meetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMany meetings can be redundant or inefficient and take more than they give. To avoid and reduce unnecessary meetings, you can optimize the impact of team meetings with the following strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Can the meeting be via email, memo, or quick phone call instead? Consider if you can achieve the meeting\u2019s objectives in a faster way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For necessary meetings, clearly define the agenda ahead of time to keep the discussion focused and time-efficient.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Invite only those team members whose presence is needed to discuss agenda topics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Start the meeting on time and set a strict cut-off to respect everyone\u2019s schedule and keep things efficient.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Give feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFeedback helps employees understand what they are doing well and where to improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, not all feedback is created equally. Negative feedback may hurt your team\u2019s productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to using feedback as a productivity tool is to take a constructive approach that focuses on growth rather than criticism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All constructive feedback sessions that motivate and engage have these things in common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Timeliness<\/strong>: They offer immediate feedback to ensure it is fresh and relevant.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Constructive<\/strong>: They acknowledge employees’ hard work and offer actionable advice on how to improve.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Goal-oriented<\/strong>: They align feedback with the broader goals of the team and business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reciprocal<\/strong>: Constructive feedback sessions are a two-way street, encouraging employees to provide their feedback and thoughts.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. Organize the projects into smaller tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGiving your team clear, manageable milestones to work on has many benefits, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Simplifies tracking progress<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reduces overwhelm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improves focus and team morale<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Boosts productivity and efficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Using a Work Breakdown Structure, you can easily break down your projects into smaller tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Work Breakdown Structure is a project management tool that divides a project into manageable sections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49Here\u2019s How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure in 6 Steps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWith Toggl Track, you can easily visualize all your tasks through the Project Timeline<\/a> and Project Board features. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTo use these features, enable both Timeline and Board views when setting up a new project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOn your Project Timeline, you can see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- All the project\u2019s tasks as color-coded and easy-to-move-around Gantt charts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Who\u2019s responsible for each task<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The task\u2019s deadline and status<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Any notes and checklists attached to the task<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Project Board view shows your tasks at a glance on Kanban boards, which you can easily edit using drag-and-drop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Ensure your employees are not overworked<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBurned-out employees are more likely to skip work, make mistakes, and work inefficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A study<\/a> published by Frontiers in Public Health showed that participants who scored high on the burnout scale had absentee rates 2-3x higher than employees with low burnout levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEnsuring your employees have the right amount of work on their plates can cut burnout rates and increase productivity. benefits. However, burnout can be challenging to avoid without the right tools to view and manage team workloads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Plan has the solution to this: the Availability Overview<\/a> feature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn this view, you can see at a glance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Over or under-booked team members<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Booking percentages and available hours for each employee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This visibility lets you assign tasks more efficiently to ensure everyone has the right amount of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Don\u2019t micromanage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAlthough micromanagement may look like it improves productivity, employees do not like it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Micromanagement makes team members feel less empowered to make decisions and take initiative, which can lower their motivation and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of micromanaging employees, business leaders should create a collaborative company culture built on trust and teamwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Sir John Whitmore states in this popular Coaching for Performance masterpiece<\/a>: \u201cA manager must be experienced as a support, not as a threat<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Delegate when it makes sense<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEffective task delegation allows managers to focus on the most important tasks while shifting responsibilities to team members who are capable of handling them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When leaders delegate tasks, they provide employees with opportunities to develop new skills, so it’s a win-win situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some key points on how to delegate effectively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Choose suitable tasks that are not your core responsibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assign the task to someone with appropriate skills and experience.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Communicate expectations and deadlines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use productivity methods like the Eisenhower Matrix\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Empower your employees by giving them your trust that they can handle the task.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Check-in periodically, but avoid micromanaging.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Give them constructive feedback after they complete the task.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
7. Reduce time spent on non-billable tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNon-billable hours<\/a> are the time spent on tasks necessary for business operations but do not contribute directly to revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\nExamples of non-billable tasks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Administrative work<\/strong> like scheduling meetings, managing emails, and organizing files.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Internal meetings<\/strong>, training sessions<\/strong>, or company events<\/strong> that don\u2019t involve client work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Business development activities <\/strong>like networking or proposal writing.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Unlike billable hours<\/a>, businesses have a habit of not tracking non-billable time, which can leave them in the dark about how they spend work hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBeing aware of your non-billable hours gives you the power to reduce or outsource them and leave more time for completing paid work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Track\u2019s reporting features clearly show where teams spend time and how much time they track for specific activities and tasks. The Summary report lets you easily see billable and non-billable hours and filter your reports by team, client, project, task, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOr you can generate Detailed reports for a more granular breakdown of all your tracked tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n \n Further Reading:<\/span>\n \n \n \n \n How to Increase Billable Hours: 7 Ethical Ways<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n8. Encourage breaks and time off<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWork breaks and time off prevent burnout, increase engagement, and improve employee productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recent study<\/a> around micro-breaks found stopping work for up to 10 minutes can help employees increase performance, decrease fatigue, and improve well\u2013being.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo help support this best practice, Toggl Track has a built-in Pomodoro Timer feature that lets you do productive work in 25-minute focused sessions followed by 5-minute breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nToggl Plan also has a Time Off feature that makes it easy to track and manage employee days off, such as annual leave, public holidays, and sick leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This feature clearly shows who\u2019s available and who\u2019s off to improve project planning and resource allocation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt also sends scheduling conflict warnings whenever a task and time off overlap to help you avoid scheduling conflicts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n9. Allow for remote work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
These tools can also speed up processes and reduce errors, helping teams deliver high-quality work more efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A time tracking tool<\/a> like Toggl Track can improve business productivity as it: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Training and developing employee skills like communication abilities or technical skills can improve business productivity and efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you too want to get started with investing in employee training, here are some things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Low productivity can sometimes be the result of poorly managed work processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Revising and optimizing workflows across the entire organization can improve this. This could be changes like rethinking how you allocate resources or eliminating unnecessary tasks to reduce employee burnout and turnover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are two workflow optimization best practices to help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clear goals and metrics lay the foundation of productive businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Goals are specific objectives that a business or project aims to achieve. Metrics are measurable values used to track progress toward these goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some tips for you to establish clear, measurable goals are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When your team communicates effectively, it shows in their performance and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how efficient communication might look like in a team:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toggl Plan has a Comments feature that promotes efficient team communication. You can leave comments on tasks from Toggl Plan and mention any person in your workspace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many ways you can improve your business productivity. Small changes, like culling pointless meetings, are a good start. Strategies like better delegation, remote work, and optimal resource allocation can also help your business be more productive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We will cover these nine essential steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many meetings can be redundant or inefficient and take more than they give. To avoid and reduce unnecessary meetings, you can optimize the impact of team meetings with the following strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feedback helps employees understand what they are doing well and where to improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, not all feedback is created equally. Negative feedback may hurt your team\u2019s productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The key to using feedback as a productivity tool is to take a constructive approach that focuses on growth rather than criticism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All constructive feedback sessions that motivate and engage have these things in common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Giving your team clear, manageable milestones to work on has many benefits, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a Work Breakdown Structure, you can easily break down your projects into smaller tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Work Breakdown Structure is a project management tool that divides a project into manageable sections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49Here\u2019s How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure in 6 Steps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Toggl Track, you can easily visualize all your tasks through the Project Timeline<\/a> and Project Board features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To use these features, enable both Timeline and Board views when setting up a new project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On your Project Timeline, you can see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Project Board view shows your tasks at a glance on Kanban boards, which you can easily edit using drag-and-drop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Burned-out employees are more likely to skip work, make mistakes, and work inefficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A study<\/a> published by Frontiers in Public Health showed that participants who scored high on the burnout scale had absentee rates 2-3x higher than employees with low burnout levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensuring your employees have the right amount of work on their plates can cut burnout rates and increase productivity. benefits. However, burnout can be challenging to avoid without the right tools to view and manage team workloads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Toggl Plan has the solution to this: the Availability Overview<\/a> feature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this view, you can see at a glance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This visibility lets you assign tasks more efficiently to ensure everyone has the right amount of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although micromanagement may look like it improves productivity, employees do not like it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Micromanagement makes team members feel less empowered to make decisions and take initiative, which can lower their motivation and productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of micromanaging employees, business leaders should create a collaborative company culture built on trust and teamwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As Sir John Whitmore states in this popular Coaching for Performance masterpiece<\/a>: \u201cA manager must be experienced as a support, not as a threat<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effective task delegation allows managers to focus on the most important tasks while shifting responsibilities to team members who are capable of handling them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When leaders delegate tasks, they provide employees with opportunities to develop new skills, so it’s a win-win situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some key points on how to delegate effectively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Non-billable hours<\/a> are the time spent on tasks necessary for business operations but do not contribute directly to revenue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of non-billable tasks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike billable hours<\/a>, businesses have a habit of not tracking non-billable time, which can leave them in the dark about how they spend work hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being aware of your non-billable hours gives you the power to reduce or outsource them and leave more time for completing paid work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Toggl Track\u2019s reporting features clearly show where teams spend time and how much time they track for specific activities and tasks. The Summary report lets you easily see billable and non-billable hours and filter your reports by team, client, project, task, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Or you can generate Detailed reports for a more granular breakdown of all your tracked tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work breaks and time off prevent burnout, increase engagement, and improve employee productivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent study<\/a> around micro-breaks found stopping work for up to 10 minutes can help employees increase performance, decrease fatigue, and improve well\u2013being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help support this best practice, Toggl Track has a built-in Pomodoro Timer feature that lets you do productive work in 25-minute focused sessions followed by 5-minute breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toggl Plan also has a Time Off feature that makes it easy to track and manage employee days off, such as annual leave, public holidays, and sick leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This feature clearly shows who\u2019s available and who\u2019s off to improve project planning and resource allocation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It also sends scheduling conflict warnings whenever a task and time off overlap to help you avoid scheduling conflicts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n 10 Best Productivity Trackers in 2026 (& Key Features)<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n3. Invest in employee training and development<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n How to Measure Employee Productivity [2024 Guide]<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n How To Improve Employee Productivity – 10 Tested Ways [2024]<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n4. Revise work processes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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5. Set clear goals and metrics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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6. Foster a culture of communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat can a business do to improve its productivity?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Cut off unnecessary meetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. Give feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Organize the projects into smaller tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Ensure your employees are not overworked<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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5. Don\u2019t micromanage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Delegate when it makes sense<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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7. Reduce time spent on non-billable tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n \n How to Increase Billable Hours: 7 Ethical Ways<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n8. Encourage breaks and time off<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n9. Allow for remote work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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