Business owners often turn to technology for the time savings and increased productivity it can provide. But how does technology help us boost productivity, and what time-saving tools help the most?

 

We asked business owners what technology helps them save the most time and makes their operations more productive and efficient. Here’s how they responded:

 

Client requests portal

We have a very simple client portal set up through ManyRequests. Rather than clients having to send an email to our support email and never knowing when the message was received and by whom, they get access to the portal, where they can post any tasks for us. Once they post a message to us on ManyRequests, they can log on to the dashboard and check on the status of their request at any time. On our end, we manage all tasks from the dashboard and update our clients right through the platform. No need for lengthy emails or scheduled follow-ups. Beyond the efficiency it provides, this also keeps our client interactions very well organized.

Chris Foti, founder, Stack Mode Marketing Group, Reno, Nevada

 

Time-tracking and management software

Various types of time management and interruption-blocking technology save me time and increase my productivity the most. Specifically, I use airplane mode on my phone when I need to focus. The time-tracking feature in my project management software lets me know which projects and tasks consume the most time—which I analyze on both a daily and weekly basis. Google’s Digital Wellbeing app tells me when I’ve spent too much time on an app. And my online calendar booking tool—the HubSpot Meeting Scheduler, which saves time by reducing back-and-forth with people I book meetings with—also allows me to vigorously protect my time, so I can strategically block off time for meetings and otherwise focus on deep work.

Joshua Feinberg, CEO, SP Home Run, Boca Raton, Florida

 

Online form builder

Having prospective clients provide background information on a Google Form ahead of sales calls has made significant improvements to our call efficiency. We’d otherwise have to spend at least 10 minutes on the call asking questions such as their general business goals and current monthly spending—all questions that can be easily pre-answered on the form. Instead of sales calls going over and needing follow-up sessions, we can now get everything we need from our 30-minute window.

Sanam Ghaneeian, co-founder and managing partner, Blosm Brands, Playa Vista, California

 

Project management software

The most valuable technology from a productivity-increasing standpoint is project management software. My team uses Asana to keep track of all our tasks and projects in one place, and it has completely transformed the way we work. Before, we used to spend so much time just trying to keep track of what needed to be done and who was responsible for it. Now, we can easily see our progress at a glance with features like task assignments, due dates and progress tracking. We can hold each other accountable and make sure nothing falls through the cracks, making us a much more efficient and productive team.

Brandon Mackie, co-founder, Pickleheads, Los Angeles

 

Marketing automation tools

As a digital marketing business owner, marketing automation software such as HubSpot and Mailchimp has been a game-changer for me. It automates repetitive tasks such as email marketing and social media posting, freeing up my time and resources for more strategic tasks. This saves me time and ensures that all of my marketing efforts are consistent and on-brand.

Caleb Turner, CEO and senior director, KazaamSEO, Hyattsville, Maryland

 

What technology or tools have helped your business boost productivity the most? Share your insights in the comments section below!

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