Teams | Collaboration | Customer Service | Project Management

February 2024

63% of job-seeking students are attracted to flexible schedules

The advent of Generation Z represents a dramatic change in the ever-changing nature of the modern workplace, especially in light of the rising popularity of remote and hybrid work arrangements. The expectations and desires of this new generation of workers, who were raised in the digital age and joined the labor in the midst of the pandemic’s seismic changes, are changing the workplace.

Performance evaluation template, with examples and tips

A performance evaluation is a formal check-in process used to evaluate team members progress. Though evaluations can be stressful, a performance evaluation template can help standardize the process. When your team member knows exactly what you’ll be discussing, they’re able to prepare and have a more productive conversation. Plus, if you pair evaluations with goal-setting, you can focus the conversation not just on current impact but also on future goals.

How remote work is reshaping the economy and boosting employment

The Australian workforce has embraced remote work in a way never seen before, representing a dramatic change in employment trends and how remote work is reshaping the economy and boosting employment. In the last year, there has been a notable surge in the number of Australians working for pay, with a significant rise in the percentage of those who work from home.

Remote workforce tripled since pre-pandemic

The COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in a substantial change in the way we operate. One thing is certain until everything settles and the globe adjusts to the new normal: remote work is here to stay but with some modifications. Let’s examine the most recent data and patterns that provide a clear picture of the state of remote work in the US and how it is changing.

Measuring and enhancing remote employee performance

The rise of remote work has fundamentally altered the landscape of job performance evaluation, posing new challenges and opening up fresh opportunities for companies across the globe. As organizations grapple with the nuances of managing remote employees, the need for effective strategies to measure and enhance remote employee performance has never been more critical.

Remote work faces a chill as job cuts rise

The changing nature of online work shows how the job market and office culture are changing in general, especially in the white-collar sector. As the story goes on, several important themes and meanings become clear. These will have a huge impact on the future of work. Fully remote staff were more likely to be cut last year than their colleagues who worked in office, according to Live Data Technologies, an employment data firm that analysed the status of two million white-collar workers.

How to conduct an exit interview: Template and examples

An exit interview is a conversation between a company and an employee who chooses to leave the company. When you create a safe environment for team members to give honest feedback, you’ll gain insight into how your company can improve. Learn how to perform an exit interview effectively so you can make the most of the experience. When a team member leaves your company for a new role, there’s an opportunity to learn why.

Integrating employee well-being into performance management

The traditional methods for handling success in today’s hectic work environment are evolving quickly. Only focusing on financial performance and output measures is no longer acceptable. This is no longer considered sufficient. Companies are now aware that the degree of happiness and health of their employees has a direct correlation with their ability to do their responsibilities effectively because of this correlation.

How workplace play unlocks the door to AI adaptation

These days, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are not just buzzwords but essential components of the workplace, thus it is more important than ever to use creative training techniques. A novel strategy, as disclosed by a recent Deloitte study, indicates that play may hold the key to workplace adaptation and employee upskilling in the future.

Future of Work survey show differing priorities between younger and older workers

Employers and employees alike must grasp the dynamics of the future of work in light of the quickly evolving employment landscape. These dynamics are illuminated by a ground-breaking survey carried out by Reeracoen, a pioneer in Singaporean HR services, in association with Rakuten Insight Global. The survey provides priceless insights into the attitudes of Singapore’s workforce with regard to automation, artificial intelligence (AI), remote work, and the gig economy.

What is release management? 5 steps to success

If you’ve ever experienced a software release, you know just how complicated things can get. From managing project timelines to keeping track of due dates and scope, it’s a lot for one person to handle. That’s where release management comes in. With the right process in place, you’ll be able to manage even the most complicated of tasks. Release management is a technique used to manage, plan, and control a software update to improve quality, speed, and efficiency.

Top 12 Goal Tracking Apps in 2024

Tracking productivity is nearly impossible without the right approach to goal setting. This is where goal tracking apps can help you get to the finish line faster. You can choose from among the best goal tracking apps listed in this guide to set personal milestones, push the envelope, or climb the corporate ladder. Take a look at these 12 best free goal-tracking apps and see which one fits the bill as per your needs.

How Asana uses work management for more impactful campaigns

Efficiency is the buzzword of this ever-changing AI era. For marketers, this means maximizing the return on every single dollar they spend. It’s no different when it comes to managing effective campaigns that drive engagement and, ultimately, revenue for your company. At Asana, the revenue marketing team approaches campaigns with a focused and structured design. The foundation needs to be sturdy and well-adapted to the dynamic nature of their work.

Tiger Team: What is it and How to Create One

Have you heard the expressions “Houston, we have a problem” and “tiger team?” Have you wondered what these refer to or where these terms originated? Well, if you do, then this article is for you. Here, we’ll answer all your questions related to tiger teams—what they are, when to form one, and how to do it. Let’s get started.

The essentials of building an effective team

It is literally impossible for every employee to deliver a ‘rockstar’ performance every workday. And no single individual can contain all the knowledge, skills and capacity required to achieve a company’s goals. You need effective teams—groups of people who can get along with each other, contribute meaningfully, pick up the slack as needs or availability changes, and keep each other accountable.

Cisco cuts 5% of workforce in restructuring

The computer networking company Cisco has announced a significant reduction in its global workforce, which has had a ripple effect throughout the industry. This choice is part of a larger pattern wherein significant IT corporations have been reassessing their resources and strategy in response to economic difficulties. In this article, we explore the ramifications of Cisco’s workforce reductions and its proactive emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI).

Return-to-office surges, remote work remains resilient

The dynamics of the workplace have changed significantly as the globe tries to adjust to the post-pandemic environment. Even though lockdowns started four years ago, the work-from-home trend is still prevalent, albeit with changing subtleties. The latest “2023 Workplace Index” from Eptura explores this changing environment in great detail and provides priceless insights into how office dynamics and work culture are changing.

The evolution of employee performance management

Employee performance management, or EPM, has changed dramatically over the years. Gone are the days of simple performance reviews and in-depth systems that combine technology, ongoing feedback, and strategic alignment with corporate objectives. EPM has become a vital component in today’s dynamic work environment, driving organizational performance and flexibility as well as evaluating and boosting individual employee contributions.

Phase-gate process in project management: What it is and how it works

It may sound like something out of a science fiction film, but the phase-gate process is a project management methodology that can offer a lot of benefits. It helps project teams break large projects down into checkpoints and milestones to ensure quality and viability before moving on to the next development phase. Of course, there’s no shortage of project management methodologies for client services businesses to choose from.

What is a Gantt chart? A guide to mapping your project timelines

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart used to illustrate a project’s schedule and related tasks or events during the project lifecycle. Find out how this type of chart can help you map tasks and keep deliverables on track. Maybe you’ve heard the term Gantt chart used around the workplace or in a project kickoff meeting. The problem is, you’re not quite sure what that is, how it helps with project management, or how to make one.

Understanding and Calculating Your Labor Costs: The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide

The skill level of your workforce is a primary determinant of labor costs. Highly skilled employees typically command higher wages due to the specialized knowledge or expertise they bring to the job. Conversely, positions requiring less specialized skills may have lower associated labor costs. It’s important to balance the need for skilled labor with the cost implications for your business.

Project management information system (PMIS): What it is and how it works

Project management software comes in a lot of shapes and sizes — and some are nicer than others. If you want to give your project team the tools they need to excel, choosing the right type of software should be your number one objective. One type of software that can help with almost all aspects of project management is a project management information system (PMIS).

Sales and operations planning (S&OP): A project manager's guide

Sales and operations planning is a six-step process that can help you achieve focus and alignment in all areas of your organization. Learn what the steps are and the impact this type of plan can have on your team. Have you been struggling to align teams at your organization? It’s a problem many project managers face. Thankfully, there’s a solution. Sales and operations planning is a six-step business process where a leadership team achieves focus and alignment in all areas of an organization.

Maximizing employee potential: Innovative performance management tools and strategies

Every business committed to fostering the personal and professional growth of its employees must prioritize performance management as a cornerstone of its strategy. By implementing innovative performance management tools, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce, enhance employee engagement, and ultimately achieve corporate objectives. These tools offer dynamic ways to track progress, provide constructive feedback, and align individual goals with the broader mission of the company.

Remote work's impact: Morgan Stanley reports 30% price drop in US office buildings

There were big changes to the standard business setting during the COVID-19 epidemic. Working from home used to be a perk for millions of people around the world. These days, they have to do it. The industrial real estate business is also changing because of this shift in how things are thought about. Morgan Stanley says that the prices of office buildings in the US have dropped by 30%. Let’s think about what this change means and look into it more.

The evolution of performance management tools: A historical perspective

The search of excellence has always been the most important thing in the ever-changing world of business. Performance management, which is a planned way to check and boost efficiency among employees, has become an important part of reaching company goals. This piece takes you on a trip through time to look at how performance management tools have changed over time, from their simple start to the cutting edge technologies we use today.

The analytics edge: Leveraging data in performance management tools

In the fast-paced world of contemporary business, companies are constantly striving for perfection. To achieve this, the significance of data analytics in performance management has grown. This helps companies streamline their processes and increase their output. In this piece, we will explore the significant influence of data-driven strategies on performance management tools. We will also explain how these strategies facilitate organizational development while streamlining decision-making.

How This Agency Reduced Churn by 50% (with AI's Help) w/ Erik Huberman

Wanna know how a 200-person agency reduced churn by 50% from one year to the next? Even though Hawke Media is one of the most successful marketing agencies in the United States and they’ve scaled to hundreds of millions in annual revenue, their journey hasn’t been without bumps in the road. At the beginning of 2022, they saw client churn on the rise and their CEO, Erik Huberman, knew he had to adjust their strategy to address a new challenge.

What is stakeholder analysis and why is it important?

Think of your project as an Oscar-nominated movie. You won, and you have to go up and give your big speech. Who do you thank? In project management, those people would be your project stakeholders—people who have a stake in your project and have helped you get there in some way. Project stakeholders can vary from the people doing the work to the people approving the work to the people you’re doing the work for, but they’re all important.

Work intake isn't working. Here's why-and what to do about it

We know what an effective work intake process should look like in theory—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to achieve in practice. Dive into the six common snags teams run into during the work intake process, and discover how to tackle them head-on. In theory, a smooth work intake process shouldn’t be complicated: set clear guidelines, standardize requests, and use it all to effectively prioritize projects.

Maximizing productivity: Integrating employee engagement and wellbeing

“Employee engagement” and “wellbeing” are often used interchangeably. That’s no surprise, seeing as they are so closely linked. But employee engagement and wellbeing are unique. Reciprocal, cumulative, and connected – but still unique. Understanding where one ends and the other begins is crucial to integrating these elements to maximize productivity without risking your best people burning out.

Cracking the productivity myth: Overtime isn't the answer

The idea that working overtime increases productivity has long been taken for granted in today’s hectic workplace. But this very idea is called into question by ground-breaking research from the business-to-business marketplace Expert Market. Their 2023 study, which covered 40 nations, sheds insight on the real relationships between productivity levels and hours spent.

HR managers face a surge in paid leave requests

Human resource managers are facing a significant challenge due to an increasing number of requests for paid vacation. This is a result of changing workplace dynamics and extraordinary global events. According to recent data, HR departments in all sectors are facing a significant increase in the number of employees requesting time off. This has led to HR managers revising their traditional leave policies and practices to adapt to the current situation.

Tech layoffs rise, yet small businesses maintained stability

As the tech industry undergoes constant changes, layoffs rise, shaking Silicon Valley to its core. Small businesses have emerged as a symbol of security and stability in this day and age where tech giants rule the business world, standing out in contrast to the quick-changing and fast-paced corporate environment. Despite the challenges they face, small businesses have managed to thrive and make a name for themselves, often becoming pillars of their local communities.

7 Best Agency Management Software For Growing Teams

With agency management software, you can streamline your workflows, optimize operations, and, ultimately, boost profitability. The challenge lies in picking the right solution for your needs. We’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list of the seven best agency management software, complete with pricing and features.

70% of leaders relate performance issues in businesses to employee skills gap

Research that was conducted not too long ago by Springboard for Business found that 70% of business executives feel that their organizations are experiencing difficulties with employee skill gaps being an obstacle to company performance. This research, which is titled “State of the Workforce Skills Gap,” sheds light on an important problem that is hurting sectors all over the world.

Sustainable practices to boost operational efficiency

It’s not enough to save money and use resources wisely in today’s fast-paced business world; operational efficiency also means building businesses that will last. Operational efficiency refers to how well a company can lessen its impact on the environment while still making the most money and getting things done. This two-pronged method not only helps the environment, but it also follows the stricter environmental rules that are becoming the norm and cuts costs.

31 employee performance metrics every team leader should monitor

Employee performance metrics have always played a role in decision-making. However, in the Industry 4.0 era of technology-enabled efficiency, a business’s ability to gather, analyze and action employee performance data has evolved. This has elevated the importance of employee performance metrics in strategic decision-making. In part, that’s because employee performance is directly linked to operational outcomes, which means efficient employees are good for business.
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Best Project Implementation Tools for 2024

The best project implementation tools can prevent missed deadlines, plug communication gaps, and prevent resource management nightmares that haunt project managers' dreams. From meticulous planning to flawless execution, the best project management tools will ensure that your team triumphs like a well-rehearsed symphony. One such maestro among these tools is StartingPoint.

75% of employees stay for the well-being benefits provided: Report

A startling number of employees in today’s quickly changing job market are struggling with financial concerns, which have an impact on both their personal and professional productivity. Recent statistics show a concerning trend: almost 9 out of 10 employees say they are concerned about their financial situation, and over half of workers report barely making ends meet.

Here's why campaign management is broken-and how to fix it.

We all know what good marketing looks like. From Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign to Barbie’s 2023 revival, it’s clear when brands make a lasting impression. But what we don’t see is all the chaos behind the scenes. Delays, budget overages, and late nights can pile up before campaigns cross the finish line—cutting into your company’s revenue gains.

Project scope management: Plan, template, and guide

A scope management plan outlines the processes involved in executing your project and serves as a guideline to keep the project within specific limits. In this article, we’ll explain what a scope management plan is and how it can assist you in the planning phase. With effective scope management, you can set you and your team up for success. Managing the scope of a project is like driving a car. If you don’t keep your eyes in front of you, the car veers off the road.

Project assumptions: Understanding their role and significance in project management

What are you assuming right this second? Lots of things! At a minimum: We all make assumptions about the world around us — it’s a part of navigating a complex and sometimes chaotic world. What good would we be in everyday life if we constantly doubted that gravity would hold us down, that electricity would keep working, and so on? We do the same thing in projects: we make certain project assumptions so we can focus on the less certain stuff between those assumptions.

From micromanagement to empowerment: Cultivating a culture of accountability and efficiency

You would be hard-pressed to find a team leader today who acknowledges being a micromanager. But they’re out there and doing untold damage to morale, productivity and profit potential. Micromanagement’s most immediate impact is on employee engagement levels. Feeling controlled, undervalued and unable to make decisions, employees withdraw or leave altogether. But the influence goes far beyond disgruntled employees.

Navigating the data dilemma with workforce analytics

Modern companies generate a mind-boggling amount of data but only use a fraction. It’s estimated that by 2025, we will produce, consume, share, and store over 180 zettabytes of data. That’s 180 trillion gigabytes zooming around the information highway. And yet, 44% of employees can’t find the data they need to do their job. They waste 36% of their day looking for and consolidating information scattered between 4-11 platforms.

Mitigating Uncertainties: A Deep Dive into IT Project Risk Management

Navigating the complexities of IT project management requires a precision approach, much like an engineer designing a skyscraper in an earthquake zone. Every element, from the foundation to the pinnacle, must be meticulously planned with risk management at the forefront to ensure stability amidst the tremors of unexpected challenges.

What is a Product Roadmap? A Definitive Guide

As a Product Manager, you’d want to develop the best product possible. This pursuit of perfection will leave your head swimming with ideas with features. However, the reality of deadlines, budgets, and limited team capabilities can soon come crashing in. That’s where creating a product roadmap comes to your rescue. This guide will explain what a product roadmap is and will walk you through the process of creating one.

The 5 project management process groups explained

5 process groups. 10 knowledge areas. 49 processes. All sliced and diced and mixed together in a slurry of business-speak that mere mortals struggle to understand. If you’ve ever picked up a copy of PMBOK (or spent much time reading primary sources from its publisher, the Project Management Institute), well— it can be a lot to digest. Especially when as a client services business your day-to-day focus is something quite different.

Delegation without boundaries: blending business and personal tasks

Discover how the most successful leaders integrate these aspects to focus on holistic output—balancing work, family, and personal goals.. We dive into the art of delegating efficiently, from setting clear communication to embracing the learning curve of occasional failures. Tune in for invaluable insights that can transform the way you manage your workload and life. Join Liam Martin, the host of The Future Workforce Podcast, for engaging discussions and insider insights on the ever-evolving landscape of work.

Understanding Time Card Fraud: Tips for Identifying and Preventing Workplace Time Theft

Identifying time card fraud can be challenging, but there are several red flags that employers can look for. These indicators may suggest that an employee is engaging in deceptive practices to inflate their hours or manipulate time records. By staying vigilant and looking out for these signs, employers can take the first step in addressing and preventing time card fraud.

Cultivating a culture of efficiency: Strategies for management

The efficiency of a company is crucial for success in today’s dynamic business landscape. An efficient culture places a high importance on effectiveness, productivity, and optimization. In order to create and maintain such a culture, management must set the tone, define expectations, and supply the resources and assistance that are required.

How Asana uses work management for content marketing

Content marketing is a juggling act. Often, you’re working on several projects at once where you’re simultaneously managing stakeholders, reviews, and approvals across the organization. In the process, it’s easy for things to get lost in the shuffle. But there’s a smarter way to work. With the right tools and systems, you can streamline your business’s content marketing into a smooth, efficient operation.

The impact of office design on workplace efficiency

The physical workspace’s layout has a big impact on employees’ well-being, output, and overall company performance. Workplace performance is greatly enhanced by office space design in today’s cutthroat business climate. This article explores the relationship between workplace productivity and office design, proposing creative ideas, assessing the psychological impacts, and offering helpful implementation suggestions.

Work smarter, not harder: How automation can drive workforce efficiency

Hard work is always a key ingredient to success, regardless of industry. However, it is easy to fall in love with the grind, forgetting that there may be new ways to make the job easier. Given the importance of workforce efficiency in today’s competitive landscape, it is wise to leverage available technology for the workplace. One popular way successful businesses and teams do this is by using automation technology.

Generational conflicts impacting workplace productivity in the UK and US

Workplaces are hive centers of variety in today’s fast-paced global economy, not only in terms of skill sets and backgrounds but also in terms of age composition. The relationships between various age groups in the working have long been of interest, and new research has highlighted the negative effects that generational conflicts may have on worker productivity. In the US and the UK, generational conflicts have been connected to decreased workplace productivity, according to a PR Newswire study.

Effective one-on-one meetings: Free template and agenda

Both managers and employees sometimes view one-on-one meetings with trepidation. Managers worry about the correct format and handling tough discussions, while employees might dread criticism or question the meetings' usefulness. But when effectively organized and focused on open communication, the one-on-one meeting is a key driver of team productivity, morale, and engagement, benefiting all involved.

Mastering the art of delegation: a game-changer for leaders

In this insightful conversation, we explore the unique challenges faced by alpha personalities and the different approaches men and women take towards delegating tasks.. We're breaking down the science behind effective delegation and empowering leaders to embrace it, not as a guilty pleasure, but as a strategic tool for success. Dive into the world of delegation with us and discover how to leverage it to maximize your team's potential.

12 Best Leadership Goals for Smart Team Leaders in 2024

Great leaders always follow leadership goals, ensure their teams perform well, and help the business grow. But great leaders are not born but trained and created over time. Setting leadership development goals is a key part of the process of turning yourself into a great leader. This involves identifying areas for improvement and skills that leaders should possess and then consciously working toward developing these skills. Which leadership goals should you focus on in the coming year?

Automating Revenue Forecasting with Scoro

In this demo, Bradley will guide you through the automated revenue forecasting process in Scoro and show you how to make manual adjustments for a more reliable forecast. We’ll show you how to: Automate your revenue forecast and keep it up to date Accurately tie revenue to project plans Leverage your pipeline to predict future income.

Take the stress out of planning and prioritizing your day with My Calendar

Tired of juggling multiple tools to manage your workday efficiently? Wish there was a single solution that could seamlessly integrate all of your tasks, projects, and time tracking in one place (not to mention your Google Calendar events)? Well, get ready to meet your new best friend: My Calendar, the latest addition to the Teamwork.com suite. Check out the video below for a step-by-step walkthrough of how it all works!

IBM's office ultimatum: A pivot away from remote work

IBM has issued a challenge to its management personnel, signaling a dramatic change in the dynamics of the workplace: either come back to the office or leave the organization. This audacious move highlights how the nature of employment has changed since the pandemic and points to a potentially rocky future for corporate America.

RTO mandates fail to boost company productivity or value: Study

The argument around return-to-office (RTO) laws has been more heated in recent years. Many business executives are of the opinion that such policies are necessary for increasing productivity and raising the value of the organization. This premise, however, is called into question by the findings of a recent study that was conducted by the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. The findings imply that RTO rules may not be providing the advantages that were anticipated for firms.

Seamless Jira Cards Integration in Miro: Enhance Your Project Management

Transform your project management approach with the seamless integration of Jira cards in Miro! This tutorial is a deep dive into connecting Jira to Miro, designed to streamline your workflow and bring a new level of efficiency to your projects. Whether you're a beginner or looking to use Miro like a pro, these tips and tricks will unlock new potentials in your collaborative efforts.

7 causes of content calendar chaos-and how to solve them

Discover seven common content calendar management challenges—and their solutions—to effectively transform your content creation process from chaos to clarity. From insightful blog posts to engaging social media campaigns, every piece of content your brand creates serves as a cornerstone of its identity. But the more your organization creates, the more complex the task of managing your content calendar becomes. If you’re facing content chaos, you’re not alone.

What is employee performance and how can you influence it?

The word ‘performance’ has a few meanings. It can refer to artistic displays put on by actors and musicians, or—more generally—how a person carries out an action. In the workplace, employee performance is defined by how well a staff member meets the responsibilities of their role and adheres to a company’s values and standards.

Revenue Forecasting for a Profitable Year Ahead

If you’re facing revenue uncertainty or struggling with creating a reliable forecast, this 1-hour webinar is for you. To help you navigate the complexities of revenue forecasting, our hosts, Helen and Sander, will give you practical advice on: Creating a robust forecasting framework Avoiding common forecasting pitfalls Maintaining a realistic forecast throughout the year Automating revenue forecasting.

Leveraging flexible work policies for a 16% boost in revenue growth

Following the epidemic, there has been a notable shift in the conventional workplace setting. With businesses starting to operate again in person, there is a greater discussion about hybrid work arrangements. A new analysis from hybrid work management start-up Scoop, published in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, clarifies how different approaches could impact revenue growth, a critical business indicator.

Scrum master vs. project manager: Understanding the key differences

Different projects need different tools — but they also need different types of leaders to guide the project team to success. In the world of project management, there are two main types of leadership roles: project managers and Scrum masters. But what’s the difference between the two job descriptions, and which one is the best choice for your agency’s next project?

Project Schedules 101: Why You Need Them and How to Make Your Own

It’s harder to lose sight of deadlines and goals when they’re right in front of you. Project schedules map your project tasks on a timeline, so you always know what comes next. In this article, we’ll walk you through the seven steps to create a project schedule and share some of our favorite templates to get you started. A new project at work often signals the beginning of another adventure filled with stakeholders, deadlines, deliverables, and tools.

What is a business impact analysis (BIA)? 4 steps to prepare for anything

A business impact analysis (BIA) tells you what to expect when your business is disrupted, so you can proactively create recovery strategies. Learn how a BIA can help you get back on track when roadblocks occur, plus four steps to create one for your own business. “Be prepared.” This concept rings as true in business as it does in The Lion King.

How A Merger Accelerated Their Agency's Growth w/ Bob Ruffolo

How does a simple merger result in a highly successful business that houses both agency and consulting practices under one roof, creating what very well may be the business model of the future? Bob Ruffolo, founder and CEO of IMPACT, joins the podcast to discuss his merger with The Sales Lion, and how that led to growth that surpassed their HubSpot peers and made their consulting services a primary source of company revenue.

Revolutionizing your workforce with an employee well-being strategy

Taking care of employees’ well-being and happiness should be a priority for modern companies. Over the past 4 years, employee satisfaction projects have increased by 20%. This suggests that companies are realizing they need to put money into these projects.

Performance appraisals in the modern workplace

Performance reviews have a single, simple purpose: To help employees and organizations improve. The idea is that by systematically and periodically assessing an employee’s job performance against established expectations, managers can identify strengths, areas for improvement, and development opportunities. Performance reviews also contribute to compensation decisions, promotions and workforce planning. And for a while – at least the last century – the system worked.

7 Resource Management Software For Professional Services

At a certain point, you have to admit it: spreadsheets just aren’t enough to manage resources and scheduling for a growing agency or consultancy. Resource management tools allow operations managers to use resources effectively without overbooking, plan effectively for the future with demand forecasting, and improve profitability. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best resource management tools for everyone, from small teams and agencies to large enterprises.

12 Best Team Project Management Tools in 2024

Leading a successful team requires a blend of astute planning, strategic management, seamless collaboration, and intentional communication. That’s quite a lot of variables to actively track and manage without having access to team project management tools. Such leadership becomes even more layered and complex when dealing with multiple teams or complex projects. However, the entire process becomes considerably simpler with the best team project management tools in your toolkit.

How the team creating Basecamp uses Basecamp | Basecamp Office Hours

In this Basecamp Office Hours session (recorded live on February 8, 2023), Kimberly, Ashley and Chase share how the team at 37signals uses Basecamp to manage their day-to-day work. During this one-hour session, the team shows how the company uses Basecamp can be set up for company Human Resource functions, recruiting, and onboarding new employees.

Master Your Task Management: How the 1-3-5 Rule Revolutionizes To-Do Lists

The 1-3-5 Rule is a simple yet effective framework for managing daily tasks. It operates on the principle that not all tasks are created equal, and thus, prioritization is key. The rule suggests that on any given day, you should aim to accomplish: This structure ensures that you focus on what truly matters, while still making progress on other necessary activities. Here’s a basic breakdown of how tasks might be categorized: Tip: Start your day by identifying your 1-3-5 tasks.

The 5 Financial Metrics Top Agencies Get Right w/ Ryan Watson

What’s one mistake you’ve made as an agency leader you’ll never forget? Several guests on this show have shared the same exact answer: “I wish I’d invested in my own financial literacy sooner!” But, what financial metrics should you focus on the most? Even if you answer that question—how do you (and your team) impact those financial metrics that matter most for your agency?

L'Oréal CEO claims remote workers lack passion and creativity

During his recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus raised controversial opinions regarding the long-term viability and efficiency of policies allowing employees to work remotely. The continuing discussion over the post-pandemic future of workplaces benefits greatly from his viewpoint.

Remote agents and the future of flexible work

The last few years have seen the rise of the remote agent and remote work. Are these here to stay? What does the future hold? We examine the trends and benefits of employing remote agents, along with some of the challenges. The surge of remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic has created new attitudes toward employment. Forbes recently found that 98% of employees want to work remotely at least some of the time, showing just how popular flexible work environments are.

The four pillars of high-performing teams

Have you ever wondered how Apple went from near-bankruptcy to $300bn+ in annual revenue? Or why Nokia was able to pivot its way through the smartphone era while Blackberry floundered? Or why Cisco routinely ranks top-five in the “Great Place To Work” list, and why 91% of staff feel their workplace is psychologically and emotionally healthy? It turns out these household names share a common trait that virtually any company can develop, regardless of size, industry or cash in the bank.

How good leaders use the power of slowing down to get things done

Slowing down may seem unusual in today’s fast-paced corporate environment, but experienced executives know that taking a step back can allow for the evaluation and improvement of situations. Well-known individuals like Jeff Bezos have supported this thoughtful approach to decision-making, and studies show that intelligent people tackle complicated problems more slowly but accurately.

Understanding Chinese Overtime: Calculation Methods and Legal Status in the US

Chinese overtime, a term that often perplexes both employers and employees in the United States, refers to a specific method of calculating overtime for non-exempt workers on a fluctuating workweek basis. This article delves into the intricacies of Chinese overtime, exploring its origins, calculation methods, and legal standing within the complex tapestry of US labor laws.

Help Desk for Education - Why You Need One and What to Look For

When thinking of a help desk, the immediate association often leans towards IT teams or businesses dealing with customer inquiries. However, the utility of a help desk goes beyond these realms, proving valuable for any organization handling requests or inquiries. A help desk for education can help streamline requests no matter where the requests come from. In educational institutions, a help desk serves dual purposes.

How to Asana: Post status updates

Have you been pinged for a status update? Before you fire up the spreadsheets and docs, here's how to do it in Asana. Keep your team in the loop with status updates on projects, portfolios, and goals in Asana. Check out this video to learn how to share status updates using real-time data, the latest highlights, and Asana Intelligence. Then see how your meetings can focus on actionable insights instead of long status readouts.

Zoho Projects - The complete project management software

Zoho Projects is an online project management tool that lets you plan, track and collaborate with ease. Effective project management software helps you organize your work, communicate with your team, and achieve your project goals, irrespective of whether you're a team of 5 or 500. Zoho Projects does this and more. It's a hassle-free tool that has a simple, easy-to-use interface, and a mobile application that facilitates your projects from anywhere, at any time. With task and issue management, time tracking, interactive feeds and forums, built-in analytics, document management, and budget tracking, Zoho Projects is the complete cloud-based project management solution.

How to Address Insubordination in the Workplace

Insubordination is a serious workplace issue that occurs when an employee refuses to comply with a direct order from a supervisor or manager. It is a form of defiance and can have negative consequences for both the individual and the organization. Insubordination can manifest in various ways, such as openly challenging authority, refusing to follow established policies or procedures, or displaying a disrespectful attitude towards superiors.

Disengaged employees cost the global economy $7.8 trillion

“Time is money” has never been more true than it is now, in today’s busy business world. While the economy is going through rough patches, business leaders are focusing more and more on one important factor: output. The employee experience, however, is a crucial component of the puzzle that is sometimes missed. Remarkably, only 13% of employees say they are completely satisfied with their jobs.

How to build a best-in-class project intake process

A project intake process is a standardized workflow to help teams capture, prioritize, and follow through on new requests. Learn the components of an effective intake process, and how to build one for your team. Swamped by project requests? Overloaded with last-minute asks? If so, you’re not alone—and we have a solution for you. Enter: the project intake process, a tried-and-true method to prioritize the right work at the right time.

10 Steps to Create an Effective Performance Improvement Plan

Managers holding these difficult conversations should prepare to point to specific instances. Perhaps the employee is not taking certain responsibilities seriously. Perhaps they consistently miss important deadlines and don’t seem to be making any effort to improve. Whatever the problem, employers may be able to use performance management software to identify a pattern and not just a single occasion. Has the employee already been asked to fix this problem?

The transformative role of Generative AI in managing remote teams

The unprecedented rise in remote work presents plenty of opportunities and challenges for organizations. While businesses being tied to physical locations no longer limits the talent pools from which they can draw, enabling effective communication and collaboration across dispersed teams is no simple task. Fortunately, it is a challenge with no end of possible solutions – some of which work better than others.

How to master organizational planning in 5 simple steps

Organizational planning is the process of defining a company's overarching goals and mapping out the steps necessary to achieve them. Discover how to master it in 5 steps. Every organization is a complex puzzle, with different projects, tasks, and goals scattered across teams and departments. Individually these pieces might seem disjointed, but when put together they form a picture of success.

Embracing the AI revolution can boost your productivity by 14%

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology advancements are significantly changing the traditional workplace. Gartner says that by 2025, generative AI technology will be used in some way by 80% of customer service and support companies to make agents more productive and improve the customer experience (CX). Unprecedented increases in efficiency and productivity are the obvious cause. If your business hasn’t begun incorporating AI yet, though, you may already be lagging behind.

Top 15 TimeCamp Alternatives 2024

For remote teams the search for efficient tools to streamline operations is relentless. The dynamic nature of remote work requires robust platforms that can support distributed teams and enable them to function seamlessly. Among these tools, TimeCamp has emerged as a prominent choice, owing to its potent time tracking capabilities. As organizations continue to evolve, the need for TimeCamp alternatives that can offer unique functionalities requirements is also on the rise.

What is a product launch? A guide from planning to execution

A product launch is the process of bringing a new or updated product to market. Uncover the key steps to planning, managing, and executing a successful product launch. A product launch is more than just unveiling your latest innovation—it’s about making a statement in a crowded marketplace. Whether you’re launching an entirely new product, rolling out new features, or expanding into a new market segment, you want your launch to make a splash—not a ripple.

How radical flexibility is transforming work environments

One straightforward idea—flexibility—is the secret to a productive and happy staff in the fast-paced world of today. We’re talking about radical flexibility here, not just ordinary flexibility. Our understanding of work-life balance and employee satisfaction is changing as a result of this strategy.

How Maarifa Solutions brings order to chaos with Zoho Projects

Maarifa Solutions, a human resource and payroll management company, has reaped tangible benefits after onboarding its teams into Zoho Projects. With a cost effective solution like Zoho Projects offering a wide range of features, Maarifa Solutions has been able to single out issues and offer systematic solutions, freeing up calendars to do things that matter.

Customer Story: How Zoho Projects opened new doors of opportunities for GPBL Penser Projet

When the grim days of the COVID pandemic loomed upon us, several businesses experienced trying times, and GPBL Penser Projet was no stranger to this. But in the strong hands of Zoho Projects, the organization was able to tread the path of uncertainty, with much certainty. Watch Claude Palmarini, President of GPBL Penser Projet as she discusses the various ways that Zoho Projects has lead the company to newer avenues of opportunities.

New in Basecamp: Move Tools Between Projects

You've always been able to move individual items from one Basecamp project to another — a message, to-do list, or card. Now you can move an entire tool from one project to another. Maybe you're breaking a larger project into multiple, smaller projects. Or perhaps you want start a tool in a private project before sharing it with a group. With the new Move Tools feature, reorganizing your projects just got easier.

5 Steps to Win Agency Clients Using Benchmark Data w/ Chris Nault

Want to win more clients (& keep them longer) in 2024? Of course you do! Offering a free benchmark consultation as part of your sales process might just be the key to doing both this year. In this episode with Chris Nault, Founder & CEO of Growth, he breaks down the process and results from his agency's 5-week experiment of adding a benchmark consultation into their sales and renewal processes. In this episode, you’ll hear from Chris.