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Most businesses, whatever their size, can benefit from automation. It makes the workplace safer by keeping people out of dangerous situations or harmful environments, and is usually more efficient, faster and more reliable than humans.

So, if your business is at the stage where you’re thinking about automation, but aren’t sure how to get started, here’s our handy guide to introducing automation to your business.

Think big but start small

As with most things in business, it’s best to start with something simple. Think about the easiest process in your business that takes up a lot of time and how you can automate it. Once you’ve done that, you can move on to other more time-consuming complicated processes. Plan ahead and don’t try to do too much in a small amount of time though, as it could get a bit overwhelming.

Make sure you fully understand your processes

Before you start automating anything, it’s vital you know exactly what you’re automating. Document all the steps involved, including any troubleshooting instructions. Understanding how processes work can help with any teething problems you might come across when first automating something.

Keep tight hold of quality control

This goes hand-in-hand with the previous point. Automation involves computers, so bugs will often be involved too, especially if your process is one the software hasn’t encountered before. A strict approach to quality control will help iron out any bugs and get things running smoothly. Keep checking everything’s working as it should be once you’re at this stage too.

Keep people involved

Automation is great, but you still need people too. Not only do they have a full knowledge of how processes work, they can get involved with testing of any automation and getting it implemented. Having your team involved from the outset will also help them embrace the changes you’re bringing in, which will make things easier in the long run.

Look for ready-made options

There’s lots of off-the-shelf automation programmes available for most business processes. These could save you money and the time and effort of getting something bespoke made just for you. Do your research to find the right programme for you – sometimes you might need more than one – and go through the testing procedures etc. mentioned above.

Use automation for a specific problem

You might be thinking about automation because you’ve got one particular process you’d like speeding up or making more efficient. This is a great starting-point for automating your business and can show you how you could apply it to other areas.

Think about the risks as well as the benefits

Of course, you should never do anything without considering the risks first. New computer programmes might make things easier for you, but they also give hackers a new way to try and access your system. Always keep your online security up-to-date and make things as secure as you can.

Pick your perfect partner

There’s lots of help out there, so you should have no trouble finding someone to partner with. Having an automation expert on-board can help you automate your business successfully now and in the future.

Making sense of business support in your area

One of the great things about running your own business is the amount of help available. However, to many business owners, trying to make sense of it all means can be time-consuming and tricky. There’s so much to digest, it can easily become overwhelming.

How do you know where to look and find which resources will be of most interest to you, or whether you’re eligible for any of them? And is there lots of red tape involved, or hoops to jump before you can take advantage of anything?

It can be a real minefield, so we’ve put together a quick guide you might find useful.

Government help is available

You’ll find load of information on the gov.uk website about what’s out there for small businesses. It covers everything from accessing finance, attracting investment, how to sell overseas, and applying for government contracts.

There’s also a section on tax, advice on what to do if you’re not being paid on time and even stuff about preparing for Brexit.

You can watch videos, read case studies and blogs, or find links to lots of websites with everything you need to know. Not all of the services are provided directly by the government, but they’re government-backed or approved by them if not. They’ll tell you what the next steps are and how to go about taking them.

Is there anything close to home?

Yes. Gov.uk has a link to the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund website, which provides finance to business across the North West, Yorkshire, the Humber, and Tees Valley. Small businesses can apply for funding through regional local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) to help them grow and employ more local people. Check out the website for more details.

Another great place for local business support is the Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub. Backed by the UK government, the hub offers independent help to small businesses and anyone thinking about setting one up. As well as finding trusted local services you might need, there’s also the ‘Made Smarter’ programme, which helps manufacturing and engineering business, and makers and creators, in the North West grow through new digital technologies.

The programme offers a free audit to assess how much your business could grow with new technology, 50% off funding towards implementing the technology, and subsidised leadership and student placements once it’s in place.

What about workshops and face-to-face events?

Cheshire and Warrington Growth Hub also lists a host of local events and workshops, on a range of subjects, including how to use LinkedIn properly, tendering like a professional and improving manufacturing.  Business fairs and Growth Hub events are also regular features in its calendar. Most are free to attend – head over to events tab at their website and sign up for any you’re interested in.

Talking of business events, we run our own here at The Base, as well as regular networking meetings. We also offer tenants individual help with onsite business support and access to partners in marketing, law, accounting, banking, and more. There’s also onsite shared office space and a good selection of conference and meeting rooms are available to rent by the hour. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more.

Put simply, edge computing is where your data is held close to your IT infrastructure rather than up in the cloud. Data could be stored on a machine or device and shared with others on the same network once connected, as well as separate server, accessible through edge software installed on the machines.

Examples include industrial machines like wind turbines, as well as more common ones such as smartphones, PCs and tablets.

What are its benefits?

Initially, edge computing was used to store and analyse information to send to the cloud. However, as edge systems are becoming more powerful and practical, businesses are now starting to use the technology directly for harnessing the power of big data.

Data can be stored on the actual machines completing a task or function, so the machine can ‘learn’ as it goes along. Operators can learn in real-time too.

It can be more efficient, cost wise too. For example, savings can be made by not having to transfer and store stuff on the cloud. And if the cloud system provider’s server’s down, for example, you can still access your information, potentially saving you time and money.

How does it work?

A good example here is a self-driving car. The amount of data needed for a long trip just couldn’t be stored on the cloud. The vehicle needs to constantly make decisions based on what’s happening right now. Does it need to slow down, turn left or right, or, crucially, make an emergency stop?

As the car experiences new situations, it stores the data learned from it to use in the future. Then when it happens again, it knows what to do.

Will it ever replace the cloud?

Both systems have their advantages and will continue to be used by organisations. To get the most from them both, using edge-based and cloud-based systems hand-in-hand is the right way to go. Thinking about the self-driving car example above, it’ll send data from previous journeys to the cloud that can be used in future models or upgrades, and use edge technology for real-time situations.

Another example could be where a company has more than one site and needs to monitor them all. Individual sites could use edge computing while the cloud would work better when looking at data across the sites. Likewise, businesses with limited storage at individual locations (think oil rigs etc.) still rely on cloud storage.

What about mobile capability?

The growth of mobile edge computing (MEC) has seen cloud system capabilities emerge by local cellular base stations storing data, meaning networks are less congested. However, the technology relies on the cloud quite heavily at the moment, mainly because the 4G network is close to bursting point.

Once 5G is rolled out fully, MEC will improve even more, and things like mobile streaming and augmented reality will become much more widespread and easier to do. It will also speed up and improve the efficiency of connected smart devices that carry out small tasks around the workplace and the home.

Is edge computing secure?

Some people are reticent about using edge computing as they think it’s less secure than the cloud. In truth, it’s not. It just means making sure the devices where your data is stored are secure, especially if there could be personal and business data stored together (e.g. on an employee’s mobile phone).

Encryption, security software and using biometrics are ways you can combat the risk of data breaches. And, as you don’t need us to tell you, it’s vitally important to take security seriously on all devices and machines, whether they’re in your office, factory or someone’s home.

 

With automation progressing at such a rate over the last 25 years or so, it’s hardly surprising  one popular theory is that it’ll gobble up thousands of jobs currently being performed by humans, and eventually leave millions of people stuck on the scrapheap unable to compete with their mechanical counterparts.

Robots are taking over…

It is true to say automation and AI have taken over many jobs from humans during this digital revolution, particularly in areas where there’s lots of repetitive work, like factory production, till operators and, maybe more surprisingly, cinema projectionists. This pattern is set to continue, with one report from  Oxford Economics going as far as suggesting that robots could take over 20 million jobs worldwide by 2030.

… but humans are fighting back

However, it’s also true to say automation has created jobs too. And will keep doing so. One benefit of automation is that it can lower costs for particular processes, which means you can hire more humans to do other jobs a machine can’t yet do, known as ‘displacement’.  This was exactly what happened with the launch of ATMs in banks.

Radical developments

Machines that give us money whenever we want are fairly new inventions of course. But going further back in history, you can find many examples of how automation has created jobs and improved output. Steam power and electricity were seen as radical when they were first used, and many feared for the future of agricultural and industrial jobs.

A change for the good

What actually happened after the industrial revolution was the opposite. The ‘productivity effect’ meant that jobs were created for factory workers to produce automobiles rather than ploughing fields, and motels and petrol stations sprung up in later years to meet the demands of drivers.

What automation did – and will continue to do – is change the way things worked for the better. Workers lives became safer and they were able to earn more as they did more complicated jobs.

New skills in demand

There’s another way automation is creating jobs we need to mention too. Tech companies who design and build automation software and hardware are increasing their workforce, as demand for their skills and services grow. AI, in particular is huge, with networking-platform LinkedIn reporting a 190% increase in users putting this as a skill on their profiles between 2015 and 2017.

And what about app developers, data scientists and social media managers? These job titles didn’t exist fifteen or twenty years’ ago. They wouldn’t be here at all without automation and AI. Many more new titles will appear in the near future too.

The big boys are in on the act

Huge players like Google and Facebook also need thousands of people to monitor and moderate content posted by their users, and these numbers are likely to keep increasing as they continue to grow and new platforms emerge.

Time to think differently

So, maybe we need to change our opinion of automation and celebrate it as something good for employment and future growth. Evidence suggests that companies who adopt and embrace automation are experiencing greater expansion than those who aren’t.

Automation really is the surprising job creator.

As a business owner, you’re spoilt for choice if you’re wanting to implement new technology. There’s a plethora of new systems, apps and programmes out there, all designed to help you do something more easily, improve efficiency, connect people or increase productivity.

But with so many to choose from, how do you know where to start?

The answer is, you don’t. Not until you’re sure why you want to implement the new technology anyway. Get that right and the rest will follow. Sounds easy, right?

Think of the end point to get the beginning

This might sound counter-intuitive, but really it’s pretty simple. What it means is you need to review your business goals, and which ones you’d like to really improve. Like we said a right at the beginning of this blog, you need to figure out what you want from the tech and start from there.

Once you’ve done that, move on to the processes associated to that goal or goals. This involves really looking at everything you do in-depth and documenting it all, so you really understand how it works.

You’ll probably find lots of processes that fit these criteria. That’s fine. Narrow the list down to two or three and make a decision about which one to start with. Try and choose something that’s not too complicated to see how you manage. Then you can move on to more difficult processes when you’re more confident.

Even with new technology in place, people are your most valuable resource

At this point, you might want to read our guide blog on Introducing automation in your business as it’s full of useful stuff that applies here too. What the blog doesn’t talk about so much, however, is what to do with your people once the technology’s in place, so we’ll concentrate on that here.

Whatever technology you implement and whatever you use it for, it’ll never be as valuable a resource as your people. They know your processes inside out and without them, the technology won’t work as it should do.

Take them through the change

People always deal with change better if they’re fully involved, so bring them in right at beginning by telling them what you’re doing and why.

Part of the change they’ll need to cope with is learning how to use the new technology. As we mentioned earlier, keeping things simple will make it easier for people to get to grips with. If they can see real benefits to the new system, they’ll be much quicker to embrace it.

Of course, there’ll be those who struggle with something new. Adjusting to the unfamiliar doesn’t come easily to everyone and it can take some people longer to become familiar with a different way of doing things. Keeping them positive and well-supported is what’s needed to help them get there.

Some suppliers offer extras that could come in useful too, like online training courses or even trainers who’ll come to your workplace. Encourage people to use these resources and ask for help if they need it.

So now you know the secret to successful technology implementation, you’re ready to take that first step.

Before we can answer this question, we need to try and define exactly what big data is. It’s a term that’s been around for a while, and you’ve probably heard people talking about it. But, is it an actual thing or just another buzz word (or phrase)?

Put simply, big data is all the information that’s captured every time someone interacts digitally. Every click of a mouse, like or share, or email sent leaves an online footprint that’s stored up in the virtual cloud. It also includes non-digital interactions too, like payments made with a debit or credit card, and phone calls and written communications, although these are less common than they used to be.

And once this data’s been gathered, businesses can use it to get insights about their customers based on their behaviours. It helps them predict what customers are going to do and make marketing more targeted. The theory behind it is the more you know about your customer, the more personal you can make communications with them.

Too big to handle?

One of the problems with holding so much data is understanding and using it effectively. Doing this requires high-tech analytics often driven by artificial intelligence (AI). This can be expensive, which could put it out of reach of some smaller companies.

However, there are ways smaller companies can utilise big data that don’t have the big price tag. In fact, one comes free. Google Analytics is a great tool for tracking what your customers have done, and you can get hold of it with a simple download.

Some CRM systems also come free (or relatively cheaply anyway)and can be customised to do whatever you need them to. They also often have software included that sorts data for you automatically. It can also highlight particularly useful information and help you understand what it means.

Keep it social

Another simple way a smaller business can get to grips with big data is through social media. Again, software is available relatively cheaply that alerts you when someone mentions your business  or any keywords you program it to recognise.

Most of your customers will use it, so it’s a good way to connect with them. This is particularly useful as you can respond in real-time and get a conversation going with a genuine customer.

It’s good to actually talk

We mentioned phone calls earlier, and they can still play a huge part in big data use. VoIP systems can record calls, so you can play them and analyse customer concerns and address any trends.

Get things in place now

It’s fair to say whatever the size of your business, you need to get systems to improve your big data capabilities now. The free systems mentioned above will do the job for you, but if you want something more sophisticated, modern cloud-based technologies have made things simpler and cheaper for everyone as there’s no need for extra hardware. The systems will grow and adapt with your business.

Other uses of big data

Big data doesn’t just cover what your customers do though. In the manufacturing and engineering worlds, it’s used to improve efficiency and increase production. Analytics can help to compare and understand what factors are important in processes and how to get the most out of them.

Other areas big data can play a part include improving product quality, risk management and logistics. It can predict maintenance schedules and future growth.  

So, is big data for small businesses? 100% yes

Getting to the heart of your information quickly and accurately can give you a huge advantage. It should be looked as a strategic asset you can’t do without – it really is that valuable.

It used to be that sophisticated technology in the workplace was a fax machine, photocopier and a couple of computers that only two people in the office knew how to use.

Today, the evolution of the technology means the office of yesterday is barely recognisable, while the tasks may remain the same, the working landscape has radically altered and continues to do so at pace due to greater Digital Transformation.

Businesses, regardless of size, can no longer afford to ignore digitalisation. The pace of change, driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, means going with it or risk being left behind by your competitors.

Consequently, businesses need to devise and implement a Digital Transformation strategy to explore the range of options that will synchronise your business, increase efficiency and eradicate out-dated means of operating.

So, what should businesses be considering? A glance at the Industry 4.0 landscape shows that the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, virtual reality, cloud-based applications and data analytics are having a significant impact within an office environment. Industrial applications are also witnessing increased automation, robotics and 3D printing.

Choosing what’s right for your business is a matter that requires serious consideration. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for embarking on the digital transformation of your business. This is where having a strategy will play its part. It is about taking a measured approach and working out which of the technologies and applications you can integrate into the workplace and what impact will they deliver.

Digitalisation is about streamlining the processes, reducing time-consuming tasks and enriching and enhancing the customer experience.

Automating routine tasks, going paperless and enhancing communication, through digital transformation tools, are relatively easy to deploy and without significant outlay. It is a comfortable step into Industry 4.0 technologies and digitalisation.

One of the main trends of the year has been the rise of the chatbot. It may seem simplistic, but the power of AI combined with existing messaging services such as Messenger, WhatsApp, Kik and Telegram are making this a powerful tool for business.

Chat is where society is moving and a business chatbot, with AI, has the power to become more than a simple Q&A service, it can also collect feedback, arrange polls and drive interaction into your business by becoming a selling/marketing tool.

For larger organisations, what about an internal company chatbot, alleviating the pressures on HR or accounts departments that get asked routine questions.

Then there is the notion of ‘going paperless’. This has been a phrase for the past two decades and yet how many businesses are still using various paper documents. In business today, there is no need to have swathes of paper with powerful software options and the ability to access information via ‘the cloud’. The cloud now holds the key to delivering greater efficiency with a proliferation of Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions for businesses.

With a bit of research and understanding of your business needs and operations, it does not take much to streamline your operations. Take recruitment, for example, AI is now being to oversee the early stages of applications, creating applicant shortlists and even to organise interview schedules. Tellingly, it also being used more and more for video interviews as well to aid the process. Recruitment companies and businesses are already using this technology to deliver ready-made talent to clients, which is a major issue across all sectors.

Then there are CRM tools for the sales team to benefit from. For businesses with a large customer base, the days of a static customer relationship management tool on a hard drive are over. More businesses are shifting this to the cloud, especially small businesses who have less budget and are more likely to outsources services. Having a cloud-based CRM delivers round-the-clock access. They bring a new level of automation, that can assist with ROI and growing the business.

Elements include:

• a comprehensive view of your interactions with customers
• instant access to real-time insights of your sales opportunities
• automate your task management processes such as following up on leads, closing sales deals on time and ensuring better service delivery
• increase your customer retention rates

Finally, what about the accounts team? There are financial solutions that also exist that utilise the power of AI to bring efficiencies. These include AI-powered invoice management systems; expense management systems including the uploading of receipts from smartphones; it can process audit and take charge of procurement – including price checking.

Delivering digitalisation will differ from business to business, but the first steps do not have to be dramatic, incur a great cost or be disruptive to the day-to-day operations of your business

Determine your path without delay as digitalisation is here to stay.

Want to know more about The Base?

The Base is a Grade-A office and co-working space in the centre of Warrington that’s home to many market leading digital technology and advanced engineering companies. Whilst calling The Base your home, you will have access to free business support, including marketing, tax, legal advice, as well as help with innovation, research and development.

Contact us for more information.

Industry 4.0 is commonly known as the fourth industrial revolution. This revolution “in which computers and automation will come together in an entirely new way*” will spearhead how humans and computers come together and impact the world of manufacturing, engineering, and digital technology. Increased connectivity and the amount and usage of data has become a trend at the forefront of the digital and manufacturing sectors and will also have overflow effect and opportunity for other markets and industries.

As with all industry changes, there are trends that emerge which offer an insight into the current changing landscape and what is likely to come ahead. Below are some of the latest trends in Industry 4.0 we’re most excited about!

Predictive Maintenance

Predictive Maintenance is the approach of using software to identify faulty or end-of-life technologies and machinery before they break and cause a manufacturing delay. The common way to identify faulty machinery is to insert a sensor that identifies a slowdown in productivity. This type of technology will surely become standard as the world looks for more precise and forward-thinking efficiency methods.

Activating AI

Across the last few years artificial intelligence (AI) has become more of a discussion topic, but in Industry 4.0 the benefits are quickly growing. Being able to change production line settings or identify poor quality** has been a major part of production for decades, but now data mixed with high-end computer systems is allowing AI to make these discoveries where plain sight was not able to. AI is becoming a key component of the fourth revolution and a core trend of innovation.

Cybersecurity

Although cybersecurity is hardly a new advancement, as we begin to live and interact in this new phase of industry and become more reliant on intelligent technology we need to be aware of new, potential dangers. Anything from faults to criminal activity, and also learning how best to prevent them from happening and stop if they do happen, is paramount. This is why cybersecurity advancements will move hand-in-hand with the growth of the industry. As manufacturing merges itself with online and cloud activities, being aware of the dangers** is as important as embracing the opportunities it provides.

 

*What Everyone Must Know About Industry

** How Artificial Intelligence will change the face of manufacturing.

*** Why manufacturers need better defenses

 

In the first of a number of blogs working with tenants from within The Base, we spoke to Adam Wilkinson, Managing Director of Meritec.

As technology advances and digitalisation becomes a larger focus and broader church, there will always be an eagerness to be up-to-date with the latest digital services and resources. That’s where Meritec come in, so we spoke to Adam to gain insight into how his business can help.

What’s your name and where are you from?

My name is Adam Wilkinson and I am Managing Director at Meritec.

Can you tell the reader a little about Meritec for those who may not be familiar?

Meritec is a renowned digital services and flexible resourcing company with a strong technology background.  Our primary business sector is UK Local Government, though we have worked in the past with some blue-chip private sector organisations such as ITV and the JCT600 motor group.  We pride ourselves on being an innovative and technology-focused organisation, and our core values are to exceed customer expectations and grow our business through strong client relationships – something we think The Base really helps us to do. We work with each of our customers to deliver cost-effective solutions that deliver channel shift, innovation and unique resourcing methodologies.

One thing that our services allow is for our clients – take UK Local Authority, for example – to negate the costs associated with setting up full-time internal digital resources whilst still getting the benefit of smart, knowledgeable digital experts when they are needed. That’s where we offer value to evolving businesses.

How have you seen digital services change across the years?

Meritec began trading in 1996. Since then there has been a huge transformation with computing and internet, right down to Industry 4.0 – which I’m sure we’ll discuss later – and it is our job to stay in the know and not far behind services that are going to be important – and thrive – for years to come.

From the inception of the internet and subsequent move to mobile devices, digital services have continued to grow and evolve, changing and enhancing the way most things in our everyday lives are now achieved. The most obvious change in the past few years is the shift from the “physical” aspect to automated services as much as possible. This is being driven not only by huge advancements in technology, through the likes of mobile apps and devices, but also connectivity to provide customers with a 24/7 service, 365 days a year.  The emergence of key technologies such as AI and Blockchain are sure to continue pushing digital service delivery into new and exciting areas. Embracing these technologies in a planned and diligent way will continue to allow organisations to reap the efficiency and customer satisfaction benefits associated with the whole spectrum of digital services.

With that in mind, how does Meritec keep ahead of the curve?

We know we need to keep our finger on the pulse of emerging trends in the market and are constantly looking for ways to improve our products. We do this by not only being agile and dynamic in our approach to technology, but most importantly by listening to our customer’s wants and needs.  Regularly engaging with customers and technology users is the key to delivering successful transformational change programmes.

We also have a great workforce that has a balance between age groups. This ranges from younger people who have grown up with digital services in their lives from the get-go, and more experienced heads that know how particular new products and developments can disrupt and improve the digital sector. We also acknowledge that as a small-to-medium sized company we have the be shrewd when making judgement calls towards certain emerging services. We don’t have the budget that other large companies do. Will this service still be powerful in the future? It’s our aim to be flexible but astute.

What benefits do you see to being situated in The Base?

As well as being ideally located in the North West, being in a technology hub surrounded by like-minded organisations has allowed Meritec to share and grow ideas and digital strategies with companies who have similar targets and ways of working.  In the past large technology companies have dominated most market sectors, but there is now an increasing focus on the benefits that can be realised by working with SMEs. Smaller organisations tend to be much more agile and open to change, and a growing number of customers that are looking for innovative solutions are turning to Meritec and other similar sized partners located at The Base.

Although we’re a medium-sized business now, we know what it’s like to be the size of some of the other great, but smaller companies at The Base. And just the same as we can possibly help them as they grow, they may be able to teach us as our operation grows. That’s the joy of collaboration, and the environment at The Base encourages that.

What role do you see collaboration having within the digital sector and business in general?

Meritec started life as a systems integration company. Integrating and collaborating our systems and processes has always been one of our core values. Whether to save costs, improve efficiency or to meet industry regulations, it’s important that businesses cooperate, collaborate and share the benefits of digital trends and technologies, through employing best practices in order to remain competitive and providing customer satisfaction. We have several partner organisations that we work closely with on a day-to-day basis, and we are always looking to work with like-minded organisations that can enhance and deliver clear benefits to our offerings.  We don’t believe in “reinventing the wheel”, so if a technology or service delivery solution can enhance our products and services we are always more than happy to collaborate for the greater benefit of not only both organisations but also our joint customers. In the digital age, companies can no longer afford to be seen as “silos” and organisations that embrace collaboration will succeed in the digital sector and business in general going forwards. What we like at our home in The Base is that there are areas – meeting rooms, collaboration space – that encourage companies to work together, collaborate on ideas or even just share a drink. But the conversation over that drink could lead to a partnership across the months and years. That’s what we really like.

Have you noticed a change in approach from businesses you encounter with Industry 4.0 becoming an important growth sector?

Yes, systems are becoming increasingly automated to enhance self-monitoring and analysis of productivity and workflow through improved processes, to help businesses identify customer requirements and demands. Industry, like nearly all other sectors, are readily embracing the benefits that digital solutions can deliver and being a supplier of leading Digital solutions, Meritec is right at the heart of this.  Automation, systems integration, data exchange, the cloud, IoT (Internet of Things) and many more, are all key digital components that companies in the sector are adopting to continually evolve their delivery practices.

In terms of changes in approach, I think security has also become one of the biggest factors for consumers and companies and has forced small and large companies to change their practices accordingly. At Meritec, we have our own cloud and data storage facilities, which I think shows not only how seriously we take our own services, but also the custom of external businesses. As information and data becomes less physical, we understand full well the extent of keeping private information private.

Greater productivity is the one thing that a company can change and encourage at almost zero cost. Merely implementing some small, simple steps to improve productivity can take your business or personal output to the next level. We’ve collated some great, easy to implement tips on how to improve your productivity levels in a business day.

Is that meeting really important?

One of the most time-consuming parts of an average week is meetings. Plenty are crucial, but there are often too many ‘catch up’ meetings or unnecessary project sessions that include repeat information or team members who may not benefit from the meeting. Before you agree to attend/arrange a session, make sure it is totally necessary by creating an agenda. Putting together the list of items to be discussed throughout the meeting can make it clear to see if certain topics could be a quick email, or a separate catch up with one or two key team members. According to Entrepreneur Europe, early stage companies find growth and productivity stifled by spending over 20% of staff hours in meetings.

Avoid unneeded tech

Phones, social media and other technologies have improved the way we work in our professional life, from streamlining processes to increased revenue, but they’ve also hit productivity hard. Twitter, Facebook and even professional social media platforms such as Slack (a collaborative instant messaging platform) inundate us with notifications and reasons to procrastinate. Turn over your phone, put it in a drawer or move it away from your person to avoid the temptation of checking social media. From just a few months ago, Business Insider produced an article about mobile phone use distracting us from our working day, and how keeping your device in another room for certain parts of the day could massively improve the work you complete. This may seem like a small tip, but the impact could be huge.

Plan with the end in mind

The eagerness to move forward with a project and be productive can often be the downfall of an employee, especially if they’re not a finisher at heart. People often become less productive as a way of avoiding a difficult or potentially derailing situation that’s on the horizon. A good way of combating this is knowing what the end goal is and working backwards from there. This will help you define your milestones, know when to bring the right people in to help, and establish your first steps. Planning with the end in mind can turn goals into easily attainable stages that increase productivity. Regular progress reviews against these milestones will help with measuring the increase in productivity and help boost morale.

These are just a couple of ideas about how to improve productivity within your business. The reality is too many small distractions can cause a loss of rhythm in work, so a culture of encouraging small, simple changes mixed with allowing people to work the way they can be most productive will turn those hours procrastinating into valuable time improving output.