Teams | Collaboration | Customer Service | Project Management

March 2024

Unlocking Payroll Efficiency: Choosing the Right Pay Period for Your Business

Understanding the basics of pay periods is crucial for any business owner or payroll administrator. A pay period is the recurring length of time over which employee time is recorded and paid. These periods can vary in length, typically ranging from weekly to monthly intervals. The choice of pay period has significant implications for both the employer and the employee.

The top 5 mistakes in team structure and how to prevent them

Team structure mistakes can significantly impact the success of an organization. They dictate how decisions are made, communication flows, and tasks are assigned. Despite good intentions, teams often overlook fundamental structural errors, decreasing cohesiveness and productivity. In this article, we’ll explore the foundational aspects of team structure, identify the top five mistakes, and provide actionable strategies to avoid them, ensuring optimal teamwork and organizational effectiveness.

Engineering team structure essentials: Building, evaluating, and improving

The success of a firm can be determined by the efficacy of its engineering team structure in the ever-changing realm of technology. It’s not just about putting together a team of gifted people; it’s about composing a symphony in which every player contributes vitally while maintaining harmony with the others. This blog explores the complexities of creating an effective engineering team organization, including its significance, essential elements, guiding concepts, and useful tactics.

Your guide to the art of organizational change management

Every organization goes through periods of change. Some changes are significant, with a wide-ranging impact, while others are simpler and relatively contained. In truth, most organizations are always changing in one way or another. That’s a good thing. Change is vital for growth, innovation and competition. Still, it can be disruptive for employees, customers and other stakeholders. Excitement can quickly turn to anxiety.

Can AI enhance both productivity and well-being?

Artificial intelligence (AI) presents itself as a promising position in a world where technological breakthroughs are transforming every part of our lives. However, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the main goal of these advancements in the midst of the excitement surrounding higher productivity. Should AI not only increase our output but also improve our quality of life?

Building an efficient design team structure: Key principles and strategies

One of the most important factors that will decide your success in the always-changing field of design is having an effective team structure. The structure of your design team can have a big impact on how creatively and productively you produce solutions, whether you are creating digital experiences, designing products, or creating brand identities.

Building blocks of success: Creating a finance team structure that works

Having an effectively managed finance department is one of the most important aspects of the intricate world of business management. The people who make up your finance team are crucial for compliance, strategy development, and preserving stable financial circumstances. Whether you work for a small business or a major organization, this is true. This article covers several subjects, including the need to provide your financial team with a sound structure.

20 project manager interview questions and answers

Landing a project management interview is a big accomplishment. But you’ll only get a chance at the job if you prepare for the interview properly. In this article, we cover some of the most common project manager interview questions and answers so you can ace this interview and get hired. Congratulations! You got the interview for a project manager position. But right after you put the date on your calendar, the interview jitters hit.

Critical path method: How to use CPM for project management

The critical path method is a technique that allows you to identify tasks that are necessary for project completion. The critical path in project management is the longest sequence of activities that must be finished on time to complete the entire project. Below, we break down the steps of how you can find the critical path for your next project. Building out a project roadmap can help you visualize what needs to be done to reach your end goal. The critical path method helps you do exactly that.

5 innovative team structure models for modern businesses

The success of a firm can be determined by the effectiveness of its team structure in the fast-paced and dynamic business environment of today. The adaptability, cooperation, and creativity needed by modern enterprises are beyond the capabilities of traditional hierarchical frameworks. In response, companies are investigating novel team structures that promote ingenuity, self-governance, and flexibility.

Is It Legal for Your Employer to Cut YourPay? Understanding Your Rights and Employers' Restrictions

The terms of an employee’s compensation are typically outlined in a contractual agreement at the start of employment. This contract serves as a binding document between the employer and the employee, detailing the pay rate, job responsibilities, and other employment conditions. It’s crucial for employees to understand that any reduction in pay requires a modification of the original contract, which typically necessitates mutual consent.

12 tips for effective communication in the workplace

Effective communication transcends simple information exchanges. Understanding the emotions and motives behind the given information is essential. In addition to successfully conveying messages, it's important to actively listen and fully understand the conversation, making the speaker feel heard and understood. Today, we’re in almost constant contact with our coworkers.

Use AI to Improve Customer Support

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, have been a popular topic lately. Many businesses and clients are experimenting and exploring the use cases of how AI can be used in their industry. For instance, AI can be used for customer support by integrating it into ticketing and chat features. If you’re not already sold on the idea of using AI, let’s consider some of the uses and benefits of using AI for customer support processes.

OneDesk - Invoicing for Prepaid Hours

Also called a block of hours or prepayment invoice. Learn how to invoice your clients for prepaid hours in OneDesk. OneDesk combines Help Desk, Project Management, and Professional Services software into a single application. OneDesk also includes customer-facing applications: real-time chat, customizable webforms, and a customer portal. These integrated applications allow you to serve your customers while conveniently working on your projects in one platform.

7 cutting-edge tools for financial advisors

Financial professionals rely on financial planning tools and software to work efficiently and accurately. Some of these tools are as old as the PC itself, while a new generation of financial services tools is also competing for your attention. But with so many of these tools offering wide-ranging, overlapping feature sets, choosing the right mix of tools is a time-consuming process for investment advisors.

6 key components of a high-performing team structure

It is impossible to overestimate the significance of putting together a high-performing team in the fast-paced, constantly-changing business environment of today. Establishments that place a high priority on creating cohesive teams are frequently at the forefront of innovation, production, and employee happiness.

Implementing Agile team structure for enhanced team performance

Agile methodology is a word with deep resonance in the software development community that describes a set of software development principles where requirements and solutions are developed collaboratively by self-organizing and cross-functional teams. It promotes flexible reactions to change, early delivery, evolutionary development, adaptive planning, and continuous improvement.

Smart team structure strategies for your organization's future

In today’s corporate environment, your team’s structure can either be the key to success or a roadblock to reaching your objectives. The formation of a cohesive team is essential for increasing output, facilitating easy communication, and elevating employee happiness. This blog post attempts to analyze several team structuring strategies, highlighting their significance and offering guidance on creating the ideal structure to meet the particular requirements of your company.

Start approving your team's time in 4 easy steps

It’s time to say farewell to nasty billing surprises and hello to more financial control. Introducing Time Approvals, our latest feature that will ensure you get the final say over your team’s time for the ultimate in accurate client billing. Take comfort in knowing that there are guardrails in place to protect your time data and billing details. Follow these four steps to work through the entire process, from setup to approval.

Stay on top of Basecamp projects with big picture views

It's often helpful to have a big picture view into how everything is going across your account. Maybe you oversee a team and need a better understanding into how those projects or going. Or perhaps you're in charge of several projects happening all at the same time and need to get a handle on all the moving pieces. In this video, we share several ways you can get insight into how Basecamp projects are doing overall.

The roadmap to creating an effective product team structure

Every product firm must arrange its product teams to work successfully. This organizational structure affects how teams communicate and collaborate, which affects product quality and time to market. We will explore the importance and main components of a well-designed product team structure in this blog post. We will also present an example structure and text-based organization plan to show how these components interact.

82 % of employees are experiencing burnout

In a time when employee well-being is frequently subordinated to productivity, office burnout has become a worldwide epidemic. This growing catastrophe is brought to light by Mercer, a premier HR consulting business, in their landmark 2024 Global Talent Trends research. The report contains startling numbers that highlight the pressing need to address this widespread problem.

Balancing books: 8 best time and billing software for accountants

Your accountants and CPAs have better things to do than fiddling around with invoices and calculating billable hours. …But you also need to get paid. Is spending hours on billing and payroll just a necessary evil in the accounting field? Or is there a better way? Time and billing software promises to solve this problem, introducing automation and real-time tracking to your accounting and billing workflows.

Investing in employee development to boost productivity

In the current dynamic business landscape, an organization’s expansion is closely connected to the development of its employees. This article examines the value of funding employee development, the kinds of initiatives that may be put in place, and the advantages that accrue to companies and their workforces. The nature of work is ever-changing, and so are the competencies needed to remain competitive.

Cultivating a productive work environment: Strategies and best practices

The productivity of people working in a space is significantly impacted by the design and overall ambiance of that space, underscoring the critical nature of cultivating a productive work environment in today’s fast-paced professional landscape. It’s imperative to craft a workspace that not only offers comfort but also enhances productivity, fostering a strong and interconnected business ecosystem.

Need a Change from ActivTrak? Consider Monitask: Detailed Features Compared

Monitask and ActivTrak are exceptional options for employee monitoring software to measure workforce productivity and performance. Monitask is an excellent alternative to ActivTrak, offering powerful tools designed for freelancers, remote teams and businesses seeking to maximize employee productivity and enhance project management. With its user-friendly interface,

Resource Scheduling In Project Management: 10 Essential Tips

Resource scheduling in project management allows project managers to ensure the efficient and effective utilization of resources across an organization. ‍ ‍ If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, your project management strategy needs attention. Effective resource scheduling is the backbone of on-time and on-budget project success. It helps you optimize resources for better outcomes.

Companies boost profits by reducing employee burnout

At a time when companies are being held increasingly responsible for the health of their employees, a groundbreaking study from Belgium shows that putting the health and happiness of employees first is not only the right thing to do but also good for business. More and more people are missing work or getting burned out because of sadness. As a result, businesses are realizing that it makes financial sense to boost mental health care.

How to Build Business Processes in a Company

Business processes are the backbone of any company. They help to ensure that tasks are running efficiently and effectively, which leads to a more successful business. Building strong business processes is essential for improving the performance of your company. This blog post will discuss some tips for doing just that!

Unmanaged business goals don't work. Here's what does.

Many large companies struggle to achieve their strategic goals due to implementation challenges. Learn five common goal management obstacles and solutions, including ways to enable better visibility, flexibility, accountability and resource allocation. Designing goals is a routine part of planning in every enterprise organization. In theory this should be simple—you set goals, make a plan to achieve them, and adjust as needed. The reality turns out to be much different.

Level Up with Basecamp | Basecamp Office Hours

In this Basecamp Office Hours session (recorded live on March 18, 2024), Kimberly from the 37signals Product Team and Ashley from Customer Support share a few Basecamp updates that long-time users may have overlooked. During this 45-minute session, the team walks through a few of the newer Basecamp features that will help users take Basecamp to the next level. They also answer customer questions live during the webinar.

Time Doctor Demo Walkthrough

Actionable Insights to Improve Team Productivity & Performance Time Doctor is a Workforce Analytics platform purpose-built for remote and hybrid companies that give managers actionable insights to improve team productivity and performance. Get peace of mind knowing your teams are engaged and working productively Improve productivity & performance with real-time visibility across all your teams.

The growing demand for moral leadership in today's business world

In an era marked by rapid transformations in workplace dynamics, there is a resonant and clear call from employees for moral leadership from the highest levels of management. The growing demand for leaders who prioritize principles, values, and collective well-being above personal gains represents a significant paradigm shift in expectations from CEOs and managers, far beyond a transient trend.

1 in 3 employers expect higher employee turnover by 2024

An important worry has begun to loom large over companies nationwide as 2024 approaches. One in three recruiting managers predicts a rise in employee turnover in their companies, according to a startling report by Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll. This number is a prediction of the financial hardship and increased workload that businesses may experience in the near future for the remaining employees.

The transformation of HR leadership in 2024

A strong human resources (HR) leadership team is fundamental to every successful firm, as they guide the enterprise towards its strategic goals through the management of its most precious resource: its workforce. In order to achieve its responsibilities in talent acquisition, development, engagement, and retention—as well as to guarantee that the organization’s workforce is in line with its strategic objectives—HR leadership must direct and influence the HR department.

How Asana uses Asana to drive product development

Modern-day product development isn't just about the latest feature or trending use case. At Asana, we're redefining product development by innovating how we listen and respond to our customers. Partnered with our work management platform, we can more effortlessly turn this feedback into action.

The Must-Have Forecast Model to Grow Your Agency w/ Garrett Mehrguth

Today he runs an agency doing $25MM in ARR with around 150 employees. But–as the story usually goes–this success didn’t come overnight & started with much more humble beginnings. From not getting paid by one of his first clients to gaining traction with small monthly retainers on Fiverr to now running a successful performance marketing agency for SaaS companies, Garrett Mehrguth, CEO of Directive, has learned a forecasting model that’s allowed him to scale his agency well beyond those humble beginnings.

5 Simple Steps to Correctly Calculate Overtime Pay for Your Employees

Before calculating overtime pay, it’s essential to establish the regular pay rate for each employee. This is typically the hourly wage that an employee earns for standard work hours. To determine the regular pay rate, follow these steps: It’s important to note that bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation may also need to be included in the calculation of the regular pay rate, depending on labor laws and regulations.

64% of fully remote businesses believed they were highly productive

In an era where the concept of work is continuously evolving, the debate between remote and office work has taken a new turn. Findings from Tech.co’s Impact of Technology on the Workplace report unveil a striking reality: fully remote companies are outpacing their office-bound counterparts in productivity.

The gig economy: Redefining career paths in modern workplaces

The gig economy has significantly influenced in recent years, changing our perception of regular work. For millions of people globally, this seismic shift has reshaped professional objectives and paths and changed how work is done. Fundamentally, gig work is an alternative to traditional 9–5 occupations. It is defined by temporary contracts or independent labor and encompasses a wide range of industries, including technology, transportation, and creative services.

Project management for financial services: A comprehensive guide

Finance is a funny thing, isn’t it? On the one hand, the industry boasts some of the largest, most well-funded businesses in the U.S., U.K., and the world. Transactions so large that the average person can’t comprehend are the norm. But, on the other hand, day-to-day life at companies in the industry includes many challenges familiar to those in less lofty professions.

How Asana uses Asana to more effectively manage goals

Goals give structure to big-picture plans for your business—but they’re only useful if you can action on them. Lotte Vester, Head of Organizational Strategy at Asana, drives a process to guide teams through execution of goals. She helps transform broad initiatives into focused goals and Key Results (KRs) for Asana's dynamic teams. But she’s a one person team, and Asana is a multi-faceted, global organization. So she doesn’t try to do it alone.

15 types of employee performance reviews (with templates and examples)

An employee performance review is a meeting between a manager and their employee to discuss how the team member is pacing toward organizational goals. Though simple in design, there are many ways to create a more effective process that brings your reviews to life. See the top 15 performance review templates to measure success and improve your review skills. Measuring success is a key piece to leading an effective team. After all, you can’t improve until you know what skills you need to build.

OneDesk - Project Milestones

Using milestones to mark checkpoints or points of time in your projects. OneDesk combines Help Desk, Project Management, & Professional Services Automation software into a single application. OneDesk also includes customer-facing applications: real-time chat, customizable webforms, and a customer portal. These integrated applications allow you to serve your customers while conveniently working on your projects in one platform.

Asana Launches a New Suite of Intelligent Tools for the CIO

Asana's State of IT research reveals 77% of IT leaders feel responsible for leading AI transformation within their organisation. Deeper integrations with Microsoft 365, AI-powered reporting, and enhanced workflow capabilities all with safeguards and controls help CIOs build the right foundation for AI to drive greater ROI.

How To Make A Project Management Calendar in 2024

A project management calendar is more than just a tool; it's a roadmap to success, providing a clear view of tasks, milestones, and deadlines. I've seen firsthand how a well-structured calendar can transform chaos into order. Trust me, you're in the right place to learn how to build a reliable project management calendar. Whether you're an experienced project manager or a newbie stepping into this role, this guide is tailored to your needs.

5 Best Agency Time Tracking Software

Finding the right agency time tracking tool is crucial for maintaining productivity and profitability. But, with so many options available, it can be a bit overwhelming to evaluate what tool fits your agency’s specific tracking and reporting needs. So, in this guide, we’ll explore some of the best time tracking tools for digital, marketing, creative, and media agencies.

Case study: How Kymera Systems Sped up Payment Collection by 75%

Meet Kymera Systems – a company based in Alberta, Canada, specializing in a wide range of custom software development for industrial applications. Their solutions range from easy-to-understand products like billing systems to far more intricate things like custom communication between assembly lines, ERPs, and robots. When it comes to collecting payments for their projects, Kymera has been using Stripe for over four years.

Top 4 Workforce Optimization Software for 2024

Workforce optimization software plays a crucial role in helping businesses streamline their operations and maximize productivity. With a wide range of options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right software for your organization. In this article, we will explore the top 10 workforce optimization software options for 2024. Each of these software solutions offers unique features and benefits that can enhance your workforce management processes.

Maximizing team efficiency: Strategies for a more productive workplace

In today’s quickly evolving work environment, the concept of team effectiveness is not only a term; rather, it is a vital component of effectively managing a profitable firm. To what extent does it represent something, and how can we separate it from the concept of efficacy? In the realm of group dynamics, effectiveness relates to the attainment of the desired outcome, while efficiency concerns itself with the maximization of output while minimizing resource waste.

The rise of remote work: Navigating new norms in workplace trends

These past few years have seen big changes in the way jobs are done. Soon, working from home will be the norm instead of the exception. This change has changed how we think about efficiency and freedom at work. It’s been caused by changes in technology and world events, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introducing the Teamwork.com AI assistant, a new way to work smarter

You’ve got a new team member! They’re a hard worker who doesn’t mind doing repetitive grunt work, a great sounding board for ideas, a brainstorm buddy, a lightning-fast writer of blogs and social posts, and a smart editor. And they’re an AI. That's right, the Teamwork.com AI assistant is here to help you do better, more creative work for your clients at the press of a button. Fewer redundancies, less manual labor, higher quality writing.

The effective guide to project management in banking: Best practices and tools

Jack Welch wasn’t a banker. So what can Jack Welch — as successful as he was at GE — teach us about project management in banking? Plenty. Project management in banking has its fair share of complexities and challenges other industries don’t share — and we’ll get into those in this post. But even though the specifics can vary quite a bit, the core or soul of good project management is built on the same principles no matter the industry or context.

What's new in Asana | March 2024

Welcome to the March edition of What’s New in Asana. First, easily share projects with the right groups with the addition of the “share with organization” privacy setting. Next, sort portfolios by connected goals to highlight work related to those goals. Finally, add actual time as an effort field in Workload. You can also compare it to the estimated time.

Beat thrash for good: 4 organizational planning challenges and their solutions

Mobilizing an entire organization is hard. Processes often involve many stakeholders and workflows, while teams work in isolation with their own tools and collaboration methods. As a result, trying to execute your business plan can feel like turning a massive tanker ship—slow, clunky, and inefficient. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We’ve taken a deep dive into four common organizational planning challenges so you can arm yourself with the right solutions for each one.

Agile vs. Scrum vs. Kanban: Which One To Use? And When

Agile vs. Scrum vs. Kanban is the most spoken about in the inner circle of project managers. However, these three are not entirely the same, nor are they completely different. All three concepts are handy for project managers, but how are they different from each other exactly? Let’s take a closer look at Agile, Scrum, and Kanban—uncovering how these tools optimize group performance and enhance project results.

New in Basecamp: Share Card Tables with anyone in the world

Card Tables help visualize tasks in a workflow, like bug fixes or design requests. Simply add a card and track its progress toward completion. Now it's possible to take that same Card Table and share it with people outside of your account! Turn on a public link and anyone with the link can view it without logging into Basecamp.

Top 10 Ways to Get More Insightful Ideas for Your Start-up Business

Are you ready for innovative strategies to help you brainstorm your next startup business? It can be frustrating coming up with ideas, so we compiled a list of the top 10 ways to get more insightful ideas for your startup business. These tips will help ensure your new venture has a competitive edge in the market – no matter what business you are planning!

80% of women think hybrid work has provided greater job opportunities

A groundbreaking Ensono poll has highlighted a significant change in the IT sector’s work culture. The poll shows how hybrid work models are creating more inclusive and fair opportunities for women. The poll, which involved 1,500 full-time female professionals from several countries, including India, reveals the significant impact that flexible work arrangements may have in the technology industry. Let’s examine the results and consider the implications for women in technology going forward.

Why workplace health benefits fail to boost employee happiness

Businesses spend more on various mental health benefits to create happier, healthier work environments. Enhancing employee well-being through virtual therapy sessions and mindfulness training aims to improve their sense of purpose and productivity. With one noteworthy exception, a new UK study indicates that the impact of these therapies may not be as great as anticipated. Let’s examine the results and consider how we may actually improve workplace well-being.

Financial wellness is key to unlocking employee productivity in 2024

In the constantly changing labor environment of 2024, under persistent economic uncertainty, a revolutionary change is beginning to emerge. Companies are reassessing conventional incentive schemes because they understand that increasing employee engagement and productivity requires more than just pay raises and bonuses.

Understanding cost overrun + prevention techniques

Does it ever feel like there’s just too much project and not enough budget? (Does it ever not feel that way?) It’s not just you — only 34% of businesses report completing projects on budget half the time or better. In other words, most businesses (66% of them) go over budget on more than half the projects they complete. Project managers are constantly concerned with project planning, timelines, forecasting, and even risk management.

The Benefits of Self-Care and Why Companies Should Take Notice

As businesses continue to grow, they need to consider the importance of self-care. Self-care is a term that covers a wide range of activities that promote your health and well-being. These activities can include relaxation techniques, healthy eating habits, getting enough sleep, and taking time for yourself. We’ll discuss the importance of self-care and how it affects business success. We’ll also outline self-care benefits for businesses and discuss how companies can achieve these benefits.

Is cybersecurity a bigger concern for remote employees?

There has never been a more noticeable movement toward remote and hybrid work arrangements in the quickly changing work environment of today. According to a LinkedIn survey, a startling 45% of employment positions published in the UK in August 2023 were for hybrid roles. This shift has sparked conversations about operational effectiveness and productivity, but cybersecurity in a distributed office environment is an equally important issue that has to be addressed.

Understanding the basics of labor efficiency ratio: A guide for businesses

Maximizing efficiency isn’t just a choice in today’s tough business world; it’s a must. The labor efficiency ratio (LER) is one of the most useful tools for companies that want to get the most out of their employees’ work. This piece goes into detail about what LER is, how it’s calculated, the many benefits it provides, real-life examples of its use, and useful ways to improve it.

The role of technology in enhancing labor efficiency ratios

The search for greater labor efficiency never ends in the fast-paced commercial world of today. This goal is made possible by the ever-changing role of technology in the workplace, which presents previously unheard-of chances to boost output and optimize processes. The article looks at the complicated connection between technological progress and labor efficiency ratios. It uses questions, answers, and examples from real life to show how technology can change things.

How Asana uses Asana to streamline project intake processes

For Jana Beiswenger, Head of Business Program Management at Asana, work intake is hugely cross-functional. Her team focuses on business transformation—in other words, making Asana a more effective organization. To do that she needs to align teams around the right strategic programs and ensure Asana has enough resources to achieve business-critical goals. “My role is about creating the right focus holistically so we can execute as a team.

How hybrid work trends are impacting more than just office spaces

The effects of the shift toward remote and hybrid work arrangements are being felt well outside the walls of office buildings. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City conducted a thorough investigation to shed light on these changing dynamics. The analysis reveals that enterprises that historically thrived on the hustle and bustle of office life may face unforeseen obstacles in the future of employment.

AI boosts productivity for 29% of Americans

Generative AI has emerged as a significant player in an era of rapidly evolving technology, offering unheard-of increases in productivity across a wide range of industries. However, there are hazards associated with this innovation, especially with “Shadow AI,” when employees utilize ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies in ways that can violate business data security laws.

The role of leadership in fostering team efficiency

It’s impossible to overstate how important good leadership is in today’s fast-paced and very competitive business world. Leadership is what makes team dynamics, attitude, and, eventually, efficiency possible. This piece talks about some leadership styles and strategies that can have a big effect on the work and morale of a team. It also talks about how important leadership is for better team performance.

From chaos to clarity: How project workflows lead to success

Careful planning and organization are the not-so-secret sauces behind any successful project. To avoid chaos, confusion, and rework, you need to know what’s happening, who’s doing it, and when it needs to be done. But to plan a winning project, it’s not enough to know the what, who, and when. You also need to understand the how. That’s where your project workflow comes into play.

The Best Email Productivity Apps To Try In 2024

How much time do emails take from your day? Whether you realize it or not, the answer is probably a lot. According to statistics, the average worker spends approximately 2.6 hours daily on email creation and management. That’s around 28% of each workday! Now, imagine if there was a way to drastically reduce this time. This is where email productivity apps come into play. With the right tools, you can enjoy faster, more efficient, and less stressful email management activities.

Meet Odie - Your Personalized AI Assistant for Customer Support

OneDesk's generative AI assistant powered by GPT. The AI assistant can support your customers and assist your agents. The AI's knowledge is based on your own company's content including articles, canned responses, and previous agent replies. OneDesk combines Help Desk, Project Management & Professional Services Automation software into a single application. OneDesk also includes customer-facing applications: real-time chat, customizable webforms, and a customer portal. These integrated applications allow you to serve your customers while conveniently working on your projects in one platform.

Styling & Whitelabeling Your OneDesk App

Want to configure the appearance of your OneDesk app to fit your company or preferences? Premium and Enterprise members of OneDesk can now White Label their web application via the Style tab in Company Preferences. To access this feature, navigate to More Applications > Administration > Company Prefs. > Style. Here you can change the colors as well as the logo that appears for users of your OneDesk account.

Quality assurance in project management

What’s your definition of project success? Delivering a project on time and on budget, right? That answer gets us most of the way there, but it falls about 33% short. For a project to be successful, it needs three qualities, not two. In addition to being on time and on budget, the project also has to reach the level of quality necessary to fulfill the project objectives.

The request for quote (RFQ) process: A comprehensive guide

Everyone, everywhere, wants a good deal — and good quality. We want a bargain at the car lot, but not on a lemon that won’t survive the drive home. We don’t want to pay $20 for bananas at the grocery store, but we don’t want half-rotten ones swarmed by fruit flies either. We want good quality at the best price. In business, balancing price and quality can get complicated. The things we buy or contract for are complex and nuanced, and so are their procurement processes.

Navigating Workplace Rules: Insight intoDisciplinary Infractions and What TheyMean for Employees

Disciplinary actions in the workplace refer to measures taken by employers to address employee behaviors or performance issues that violate company policies or standards. These actions are designed to correct and prevent undesirable conduct, ensuring a productive and safe work environment. The process is not merely punitive; it also serves an educational purpose, aiming to guide employees back to acceptable standards of conduct.

A New Take on Platform Preferences - REWORK podcast

David Heinemeier Hansson recently revealed that he's making the switch from Apple to Android and trading in his Mac for a PC. In this week's episode, cofounders of 37signals Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson discuss the shift in direction, the events that led to the change of platform, and what the company overlooked by being focused on the Apple ecosystem. Rework is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X.

Tailor forms to your clients-and get more accurate results-with Conditional Logic

If you're doing any sort of client work, chances are you know the pains of onboarding new clients. There may even be times when you've sent them one of those generic questionnaires that asks about everything under the sun. Bored, the client loses interest, filling out the form with the most perfunctory answers so they can get through it ASAP. Ask yourself: is anyone happy about this? Enter Conditional Logic, a revolution in form creation that adjusts in real time based on your clients' answers.

The basics of burn-up charts: What they are and how to make them

Burn-up charts are just one tool in the project manager’s toolbox — but these humble charts can be impressively effective. They’re perfect for presenting a quick snapshot of project progress, as well as showing progress over time or the ways a project’s scope keeps shifting. The burn-up chart is well worth understanding and adding to your arsenal. So let’s take a look at what a burn-up chart actually is and how to make your own.

Technological tools and innovations enhance team efficiency

Using technology in our daily lives is not only beneficial, it’s a must in today’s fast-paced business world. Because of changes in technology, the way teams work together has changed. These changes have also affected the work itself.Two clear examples of this movement are the rise of digital workplaces and the trend toward working from home. These team efficiency tools make it easy for teams to communicate as if they were in the same room.

How Asana uses work management for smoother creative production

For Tara Vajra, Head of Creative Operations at Asana, creative production is a tight balancing act. Her role requires her to constantly measure existing resources against new requests and larger marketing goals. This is especially tricky at a global company, where she needs to produce assets that work across cultures and partner with stakeholders who live around the world.

Maximizing Productivity and Work-LifeBalance: The Ultimate Guide to SwingShift Hours

Swing shift work refers to a type of work schedule that typically falls between the traditional day and night shifts. It often starts in the late afternoon and extends into the evening, sometimes going as late as midnight. This shift is also known as the second shift or the afternoon shift.

11 Best Project Management Tools For Teams of All Sizes

Looking for project management tools? There are lots available—each varying in features and complexity, but each helps you keep your team organized and on schedule. In this guide, we’ll highlight a list of project management tools and software that help you manage tasks, collaborate with your team, and manage resources.

The Qualities of a Successful Remote Employee

Remote work, that little accommodation everyone is after right now and for a good reason, is becoming increasingly popular. Nowadays, companies are more than ever exploring remote work options due to the financial, environmental, and health benefits of remote work. Remote work is here to stay, and remote workers need the right skills to succeed. But, what makes a remote worker successful? Is it the ability to work independently? Being able to stay organized and on task? Or is it something else entirely?

Mastering change request management: Understanding its essentials, tips, and best practices

Change is unavoidable — but that doesn’t make it easy. Clients change their minds, industries evolve, and business trends pop up fast and fade away just as quickly. The longer you work in and around projects, the more you see how easy it is for changes to delay or even derail a project. To get a handle on project changes, many client services organizations adopt a formal or informal system of change request management.

Flexibility over proximity: Employee commute has increased to 27 miles

The work landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, reshaping not just how we work but also where we live about our workplaces. Significant shift towards remote and hybrid work models, compelling both employees and employers to rethink the traditional confines of the office. This article delves into the latest statistics and trends that are shaping the future of work.

Leveraging technology to enhance workforce productivity

A company’s success and competitive edge depend on staff efficiency in the modern business world. Technology transforms firms as they maximize operations, production, and efficiency. Companies are rethinking their operations and creating new productivity standards by incorporating sophisticated technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, collaboration tools, and automation.

Project closure: 8 steps to finish projects confidently

Project closure is the last stage of a project, when you tie up loose ends, communicate your results, and debrief with your team. Just because you’ve hit your objectives doesn’t mean work is finished, and a clear project closure process ensures that you check every important task off your to-do list before officially wrapping things up. In this article, learn eight steps to help you close projects with confidence.

How to use benchmarking to set your standards for success

How do you know when your work is successful? Benchmarking is a data-driven process that helps you create your own standards to measure success. Setting benchmarks is a simple way to set clear expectations for your team. In this article, learn the different types of benchmarking and the steps to create your own benchmarks. Success is a vague term—what is it? And how do you know when you, your projects, and your business are successful? The truth is, everyone measures their success differently.

What is self-management? (7 skills to improve it)

Self-management is your ability to regulate behaviors, thoughts, and emotions in a way that better serves you and your work. Learn the 7 most important self-management skills to become a better leader. Developing self-management is an introspective process. It requires an honest deep dive into your own emotional intelligence, self control, and leadership style where you discover how much you actually regulate yourself. It’s certainly not easy, but self-management can be learned.

Top 5 Project Management Tools for Any Team or Project

Are you looking for the perfect project management tool? Look no further! We’ve hand-picked the top 5 tools that any team or project needs to stay organized and on track. From cloud-based platforms to task-tracking software, we’ve got it all covered. Read on to find out which tool best suits your project, and get ready to take your team’s productivity to the next level!

Yelp's remote-first policy boost applicants by 43%

Yelp’s audacious move to implement a remote-first strategy has redefined workplace standards by taking a huge step forward. The firm has seen an astounding 43% increase in employment applications since making its transition in 2021, a sign of the growing popularity of remote work. The 2024 Remote Work Report outlines the several benefits of this shift, including increased worker happiness, increased productivity, and a discernible improvement in general well-being.

Salesforce shifts focus to AI and strategic hiring

Salesforce is gaining attention in the rapidly changing field of artificial intelligence and technology thanks to its most recent strategic moves, which are intended to strengthen its staff and narrow its attention to generative AI. This article explores the noteworthy advancements and data that Salesforce recently disclosed, providing insight into the company’s strategies for hiring, cost containment, and technology innovation.

Challenges and solutions in measuring operational KPIs

Success in today’s competitive business environment depends on understanding and ability to use operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). A clear image of the effectiveness, productivity, and general performance of a company may be obtained by monitoring these KPIs accurately. However, companies frequently face major obstacles in this pursuit.

13 Best Organizational Apps of 2024 to Transform Your Workflow

Does your to-do list make you want to scream? Can’t find that crucial note between three different apps? Feel like you’re constantly fighting an uphill battle against deadlines and forgotten tasks? It’s time to reclaim control and find a workflow that actually works for you. Thankfully, organizational apps aren’t just another digital pile of clutter. They’re your secret weapon for banishing overwhelm and unlocking a calmer, more focused version of yourself.

Don't like giving feedback? These 20 tips are for you

Giving effective feedback is a critical skill for all team members to have. In this article, we cover 11 best practices for giving any type of feedback. Plus, get four tips to give feedback as a team manager, and five steps to give upwards feedback to a manager or leader. If you’re uncomfortable giving feedback, you’re not alone. Even though feedback is a critical part of effective workplace communication, a lot of us don’t know how to approach feedback in a constructive way.

6 steps for writing a persuasive project proposal

A project proposal is a written document outlining everything stakeholders should know about a project, including the timeline, budget, objectives, and goals. Your project proposal should summarize your project details and sell your idea so stakeholders buy in to the initiative. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to write a project proposal so you can win approval and succeed at work.

The 3 Client Communication Risks (& How to Avoid Them) w/ Susan Fennema

It can be terrifying to allow your clients to “see how the sausage is made,” and this is one of the main concerns related to handling client communications within your project management or professional service automation software. While there are benefits to streamlining your client communications and inviting them into the system that runs your agency–benefits like visibility, client perception & efficiency–each of those benefits comes with some pretty intimidating risks.

The Ultimate Guide to Paid Time Off:Policies, Benefits, and Best Practices

PTO policies vary widely among employers, with some offering a set number of days per year and others providing more flexible arrangements. The primary goal of PTO is to offer employees a work-life balance, ensuring they have time to rest, handle personal matters, and return to work refreshed. PTO is a crucial element in employee benefits packages, as it directly impacts job satisfaction and overall well-being.

The remote work dilemma for young employees

Young Americans are entering the workforce without ever setting foot in a typical office, thanks to the shift in the workplace from temporary to permanent remote labor. Researchers and professionals in the workplace are debating the possible long-term repercussions of this shift on employees in their early careers.

Leveraging technology for operational improvement

In the ever-changing world of contemporary company, attaining competitive advantage and long-term success is contingent upon operational improvement. It includes a methodical optimisation of procedures, techniques, and technologies with the goal of increasing production, cutting expenses, and strengthening efficiency. Technology is at the center of this revolutionary journey, acting as an accelerator and facilitator of operational excellence.

The role of leadership in achieving operational efficiency

Operational efficiency is more than just a goal in today’s fast-paced business world; it’s essential for success. Optimizing every part of a business’s processes to boost output, cut down on waste, and provide better value is what operational efficiency means. To get a company to this level of success, leadership is essential. Leaders’ job is to ensure that their companies are operationally efficient and stand out in a crowded market. This blog post talks about that job.

Introducing: Odie OneDesk's AI Assistant

The March 2024 release of OneDesk has brought an exciting new feature — Odie the Ai-powered assistant! Odie (‘OD’) is a Chat-GPT-like AI tool integrated with OneDesk’s messenger and customer-facing applications. The AI uses advanced and modern technology such as large language models (LLMs) and generative AI to make suggestions, generate replies, and answer customer queries. Odie is a personalized assistant, meaning its answers are trained on your own content.

What is a request for proposal (RFP)?

As an agency leader, do you ever feel pulled in opposite directions? That’s a real possibility when it comes to requests for proposal (RFPs). An RFP solicits proposals for services, usually on projects with multiple facets, phases, or deliverables. Agencies can be on both the giving and receiving end of the RFP process. For example, a business might create an RFP for a comprehensive marketing campaign, including commercials.

9 steps to craft a successful go-to-market (GTM) strategy

A go-to-market (GTM) strategy is a step-by-step plan for launching a new product or expanding into a new market. It helps you launch your product to the right audience, with the right messaging, at the right time. Learn how to craft a go-to-market strategy in nine steps and set your next product launch up for success.

8 steps to write an effective project status report

Effective project status reports are the best way to keep your stakeholders aligned and in the loop during your project progress. These high-level updates proactively let your team know if a project is on track, at risk, or off track—so you can course correct if necessary to hit your deadlines every time. Learn how to create project status reports in a few easy steps, plus check out a template you can use right away.

89% of companies retain the four-day workweek

The UK’s greatest experiment with a four-day work week has been not only effective but also revolutionary, marking a shift in working practices that is unparalleled and changing the modern workplace. After a year, an overwhelming 89% of the involved firms have decided to stick with the shortened timetable, with more than half deciding to make it a permanent alteration.

4 out of 10 employees call in sick from burnout

A shocking trend has surfaced in an era where the boundaries between work and life are becoming increasingly hazy, having a lasting impact on workplace dynamics and employee well-being. 4 out of 10 workers, or a hefty 40%, have called in sick due to burnout, according to a recent MetLife UK survey of 2,009 employees. This is alarming data. This information highlights the growing problem of employee burnout and highlights the pressing need to review present workplace policies and health care programs.

The role employee engagement plays in operational improvements

Operational improvement has become a need in the fast-paced corporate world of today in order to remain competitive. But the people who carry out plans and technologies on a daily basis are the real heart of every organization. This article explores the vital role that employee engagement plays in fostering operational improvements and provides advice on how companies may best utilize the potential of their employees to increase output and efficiency.

How to write requests for information (RFI)

RFIs, RFPs, RFQs: we know, it’s an acronym overload. But for many agencies, documents like these are core to their sales and operations processes. Like it or not, the “RFs” are a part of how business gets done. But all this alphabet soup can get a little nebulous. If you aren’t working with them every day (and maybe even if you are), it’s easy to lose track of what each document is there for. What exactly is an RFI, and when should your agency use one?

What CEOs really think about hybrid work dynamics

In recent years, the nature of work has changed dramatically, with the idea of hybrid work assuming a central role. CEOs from all across the world are weighing in as companies struggle with this new reality, offering a wide range of perspectives and tactics to get through this unfamiliar area. Using data from the most recent Fortune/Deloitte CEO poll, this piece explores the nuances of hybrid work and provides executives with a thorough manual for creating a positive work environment.

69% of employees fear return-to-office challenges

Employees are feeling both nervous and resilient about the shift from remote to in-person operations as businesses around the world progressively restore traditional work conditions. Genius Consultants has released a survey that highlights the changing nature of the workplace and indicates that most employees are preparing for the difficulties that come with this change. Here’s a closer look at the data and opinions that characterize the return-to-office movement as it exists now.

Workplace productivity statistics

Workplace productivity is rising around the world, but two forces driving increases could also send productivity over a precipice if they’re not expertly managed. That’s the message from the latest workplace productivity statistics. Data from analysts, news outlets and organizations shows that companies are finding their feet and focusing on the future. But the world around them has changed.

Remote employees are 22% more focused than office employees

With its many benefits, remote work has become increasingly popular in today’s ever-changing workplace. It allows for more concentrated, in-depth work with fewer disruptions. The inherent advantages of remote work arrangements have been clarified by a groundbreaking Hubstaff investigation, which also offers convincing evidence that highlights the productivity and efficiency of remote employees in comparison to their in-office counterparts.

Operational KPIs vs. strategic KPIs: Balancing short-term performance with long-term goals

You need short-term and long-term goals to succeed in today’s fast-paced corporate world. You must understand operational and strategic KPIs to achieve this. Both KPI kinds are crucial. Operational KPIs focus on speed and everyday tasks but also guarantee current activities run well. KPIs can help firms achieve long-term goals. Harmonizing these various KPIs is vital for organizations who wish to succeed in a competitive market.

Bridging equity gaps in remote work for women and caregivers

The pandemic has caused a seismic change in the workplace toward remote work, which has redefined workplaces and brought attention to the possibility for promoting inclusion and equity in the workplace. The advantages of remote work for women, caregivers, and people with intersectional identities have emerged as businesses struggle to make the shift from traditional office settings to more flexible work arrangements.