Success in life and business is largely defined by the achievement of predetermined goals suitable to an individual or activity. You can measure that success as a ‘productivity’ factor. We invite you to explore a few strategies for using technology to improve your productivity in Nigeria.
In general, when the value and quantity of outputs exceed the inputs applied to a process or activity, you can say you have ‘succeeded’. Another suitable term would be that you have achieved enhanced or better ‘productivity’. Thus, business productivity is a means of measuring monetary gains. This is achieved when the total value of outputs (of goods and/or services) surpasses the outputs. We highly recommend using technology to improve your personal and business productivity, as a wise Nigerian. Overall, it involves less application of time, energy, resources/inputs and expertise to achieve quality outputs.
Improving your Productivity: About KPIs
A more practical way of measuring your personal or business productivity would be to assign KPIs (key performance indicators) to each activity or process you engage in. These KPIs are personal or business goals/objectives you intend to meet or exceed in that activity or process.
Your business may (or may not) have been meeting its set goals/objectives through physical/traditional means for instance. However, there are ways of doing things better through technology tools. This will give you a competitive edge over competitors in your industry, if you are focused. In this modern day and age, personal and business processes are placing more demands on people, and moving at a faster pace. You cannot afford to burn so much resources and achieve little. Technology tools are practically business and life savers. Let us examine a few valuable strategies for using technology to improve your productivity in Nigeria, as discussed below.
Note Taking Apps
Simple note taking apps are great for helping you to organize your thoughts. They can help you create, store, organize and use vital information as notes, on the go. Additionally, they are cloud-based. Which means you can easily put together and retrieve your notes at any time, using any internet-enabled digital device. Common examples include Evernote, Google Keep Notes, and OneNote.
Data Analytics tools
There are powerful data analytics (software) tools that apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to collect and analyze data from several business systems. All of the raw data are typically stored in data warehouses for future analysis. From there, meaningful insights and smart business decisions can be drawn. These analytics tools come with user-friendly dashboards, and make use of reports to display the final interpretation of data. Typical examples of such tools include MS Excel, Power BI, and Tableau.
Super-fast Telecommunication and Collaboration Tools
The modern age of mobile telephony has ushered in super-fast 5G connectivity (there are even strong hints of 6G connectivity under development). This presents an amazing opportunity that empower workers domiciled at remote locations to communicate seamlessly with one another, and with the office. Remote and hybrid work have come to stay, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic era. Thus, powerful communication software and tools allow smooth, fast voice and video communication; easy sharing of files; and using digital whiteboards. Managers can also better connect with, and supervise workers and projects at remote sites.
In addition, many of these communication and collaboration tools are cloud-based. It reduces the need for bulky office equipment, physical space, or regular commuting to and from work. Thus it saves cost and time, and reduces on-the-job stress, since workers could optionally decide on the option of working from a home-office (or workspace). Communication and collaboration tools such as Trello, Airtable, Slack, Basecamp, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and WebEx are clear examples. They have been highly effective in boosting business productivity in Nigeria and elsewhere across the globe.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools
CRM software is highly beneficial in automating routine, repetitive or common (but necessary) tasks. Thus they reduce the workload of the sales and customer service workers, allowing them to interact more and build relationships with customers. They also help to track customer data to better understand their needs. Integrated invoices, notes, automated chatbots and email services are key components of CRM tools that simplify customer relations.
Human Resource Management Tools
Human resource software is valuable in speeding up and simplifying recruitment and staff management processes. They have the capacity to store a wide range of vital information concerning job candidates. These include set role requirements, records of interviewers’ notes, forms, events/incidents as well as tracking information.
Project Management Software
There are a vast array of project management software out there. They can help managers and their teams to supervise projects effectively at various stages. They can also monitor deadlines, specific tasks, team performance, or customer satisfaction.
They can help your team manage project stages, tasks, deadlines, and a wide breadth of other productivity goals while maintaining unhindered communication. But there are so many ways to approach project management, meaning there’s an overwhelming variety of tools and solutions to choose from. The chosen project management tool(s) will depend on the project and needs of your team. Thus, you would indeed to understudy how a specific project management tool works to know if it can serve the needs of your team and projects. Typical tools in this category include Scrum, Kanban, Teambox, Workzone, and Gantt charts, amongst others.
There are also other valuable productivity software such as To-do lists, Calendar apps, Scheduling/Timetable tools and more. These tools improve your thinking and organization skills, as well as help you to set bigger goals for yourself and your business.
Conclusion
If for no other reason, you will definitely need technology to lessen the workload required to make business and personal life work smoothly and efficiently. They will also help you not to forget the most important details as you strive to improve the outputs and profitability of your business. .
