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Small businesses work in a contemporary, fast paced world that demands a sophisticated and consistent approach to working productively when mobile, particularly for anyone who runs a service-based small business or travels often for work. There’s no doubt that it’s easier than ever to work and not be chained to our desks 9-5.
We spend more time away from our static desks – free to move around the office, go to a cafe or head to the park (weather permitting of course!). Smartphones, tablets, ultra-lite MacBook mean we can pretty much work where we want.
By having the right processes and tools in place, a few simple tips and tricks will go a long way to ensuring your business is run smoothly, starting with…
Getting set up for mobile productivity
It sounds like a no-brainer but setting yourself up for mobile productivity should start with making sure your devices and apps are up to date. If you are guilty of hitting ‘remind me later’ and never getting around to your updates, schedule time in your calendar to update all those apps which you know you rely on for work. While the risk for mobile devices is lower than that of desktop, be sure to consider your device and usage when making the call on an antivirus solution. If you download apps using something other than Google Play and have an Android, installing an Android antivirus could be a smart move.
There are over 4,000 productivity apps in the Apple app store alone and searching through them all can take up a fair amount of time, but once you’ve picked your ‘stack’ of favourites you can be on your way to next level mobile productivity. Personally, my home screen has
- Notion (for notes)
- Streamtime (for tasks and tracking my time)
- Slack (for pretty much all communication)
- Inbox (for the odd email that I still get)
- Intercom (for all our customer service conversations at work)
Getting your app stack can help with your productivity, but so too can buying the latest accessories for your devices. Even as I write this (on my MacBook Pro), I have my iPhone, iPad and Pencil right next to me ready to get some fresh air or update some notes on the train on the way home. All the tools which give me the flexibility to work in different spaces and be mobile.
Understand how you work
A little bit of planning can go a long way when you’re making use of mobile working. There are things that your desktop back in the office will be better for such as heavy creative grunt work or building in-depth documents or presentations. Try and plan your workload for the day around what you know you can get done on your mobile devices (email check-ins, video meetings), and what you really need to be in front of your PC for. I will also block out time in my schedule if I know I’ll need a couple of uninterrupted hours in the office.
Also, consider the screen size of your devices. Statistics show that most people prefer the 3.5-inch form factor for their smartphones, for the portability and convenience that it offers. But if you’re going to need to get more substantial work done while on the road, a larger screen can make that work easier. Consider a 4.3-inch or even 5.3-inch smartphone in those circumstances. I love any chance I can get to use my iPad and Pencil while travelling.
Be accountable
Working remotely is becoming much more accepted. More and more small business owners work outside of the office, and if you’re meeting your goals, why shouldn’t you?!
To help validate the work you’re doing remotely, consider using tools that help track time spent on projects, and have task lists that can be checked off in real time. Presence is also important, so find a communications platform that lets others in your team know when you’re online and available. We use a #status channel in Slack for everyone to keep each other updated on their movements.
The key to being accountable is to firstly identify your key points of contact and stakeholders that you deal with daily. Whether they be your clients or your employees, make sure everyone who you need to be in contact with is across the proper process for productive mobile working.
Check out the latest apps
Every day there are new apps being developed and released, so make sure you keep an eye out for new innovations that will make your work easier and will help you stay on top of your mobile productivity.
It’s also a good idea to sign up for email newsletters both from your favourite apps, and from trusted review sites, it is a great way to stay in the loop and find out about any upcoming apps which might help your business.
I’m a regular checker of Product Hunt and love testing out anything new. I’ve changed mail clients 3 times this year already. My current favourite is Shift as it amalgamates all my email accounts and Facebook messages in one place. But it’s not just about looking at the most popular apps. Many apps fulfil a very specific role or task. They might not be particularly relevant to the general audience, but if the app is designed specifically around one of your tasks, it might just become your new best friend.
Pick a process and stick to it
Choosing to improve mobile productivity companywide requires research and establishing a process. As your business grows, take the time to assess your team’s overall mobile productivity, focusing on gathering actionable insights via a survey or focus group. Once you have grouped your findings, set up a process to be tested with a dedicated team or specific project.
Creating an ironclad mobile productivity process is ripe with benefits and should include things like:
- Framework for success – a defined set of conditions which allow your business to function autonomously.
- New efficiencies identified – you’ve fuelled a new kind of conversation and intel on mobile productivity in your workplace will come in a steady stream.
- Employee buy-in – with a process informed by their own learnings, you can be sure that the plan stays realistic and actionable for those who determine its success.
- Future proofing your workload – you’ve laid the foundation for mobile productivity which will allow you to scale this process to keep your business ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technologies.
Ironically, you can end up with so many productivity apps that your productivity plummets, so be smart and ruthless when it comes to trialling and integrating new apps into your process. The opportunities are in making better use of your time each day, spending more time with clients, and preserving a better work/life balance.
Aligning your focus for successful mobile productivity
While there is a deluge of apps that you can use to boost your business’ productivity when you’re mobile, the key to success is understanding what process will work best for you. So take stock of stakeholders, the endless free resources and apps out there as well as your team members and use the power of mobile to enhance the way you provide your service.
“The opinions expressed by BizWitty Contributors are their own, not those of BizCover and should not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice. Please read our full disclaimer."
