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Time Management

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How to use the Covey time management matrix
Project Management 10 min read

How to use the Covey time management matrix

The Covey time management matrix sorts tasks into four easy-peasy quadrants that show you what’s urgent and important. Learn more with Wrike.

Do More With Less: How To Save Time at Work
Productivity 5 min read

Do More With Less: How To Save Time at Work

Start 2024 with a new strategy to save time at work. Check out Wrike’s helpful tips, from removing distractions to automating repeatable tasks.

Boosting Output: Top 3 Ways to Enhance Work Performance
Project Management 7 min read

Boosting Output: Top 3 Ways to Enhance Work Performance

Maximizing work performance is crucial for success. Companies are constantly looking for ways to boost productivity and output, as it directly impacts their bottom line. In this article, we will explore the top 3 ways to enhance work performance and provide insights into their importance and implementation. Understanding the Importance of Enhanced Work Performance We cannot underestimate the significant impact of productivity on business success. When employees perform at their best, it leads to increased efficiency, improved quality of work, and ultimately, higher customer satisfaction. Enhanced work performance is not just beneficial for the company; it also benefits the employees themselves. It boosts their confidence, increases job satisfaction, and opens doors for career growth. The Impact of Productivity on Business Success Productivity is a key driver of business success. When teams and individuals perform at their best, it has a direct impact on the organization's bottom line. Increased productivity leads to cost savings, as tasks are completed more efficiently and effectively. This, in turn, improves profitability and allows companies to invest in growth opportunities. Also, high productivity enables businesses to meet customer demands promptly and deliver products or services of superior quality. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also helps in building a strong reputation in the market. Customers are more likely to choose a company that consistently delivers high-quality work in a timely manner. The Role of Employee Performance in Company Growth Employee performance plays a crucial role in driving company growth. When individuals consistently perform at high levels, it creates a ripple effect throughout the organization. Increased productivity leads to accomplishing more tasks, meeting deadlines, and surpassing goals. It fosters a culture of excellence within the company, where everyone strives for continuous improvement and success. In addition, enhanced work performance opens doors for career growth and advancement. When employees consistently deliver outstanding results, they are more likely to be recognized and rewarded for their efforts. This can lead to promotions, salary increases, and new opportunities within the company. Way 1: Improving Time Management Skills Time management is not just about being busy; it's about being productive. It's about finding the right balance between work and personal life and making the most out of the limited hours in a day. With effective time management, individuals can reduce stress, increase productivity, and achieve a better work-life balance. Set clear goals and objectives for each day, week, or month. Delegate tasks based on their priority levels to complete important activities on time. By breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps, you can approach work with focus and clarity.  Tools and Techniques for Better Time Management Fortunately, numerous tools and techniques can assist in improving time management skills. Digital calendars and task management apps, such as Google Calendar or Trello, can help with organizing schedules and tracking progress. The Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in short, focused bursts followed by brief breaks, helps to maintain concentration and prevents burnout. As for the Eisenhower Matrix, this categorizes tasks based on urgency and importance, allowing individuals to prioritize tasks accordingly and to avoid last-minute rushes. Way 2: Encouraging Continuous Learning and Development Continuous learning is a vital aspect of personal and professional growth. It not only benefits the individual but also contributes to the overall success of the organization. By investing in employee development, companies empower individuals to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to organizational goals. Provide regular training opportunities via workshops, webinars, and conferences to enhance your staff's skillset and capabilities. Doing so will surely help the company stay competitive and adapt to market changes easily. Implementing a Learning Culture in the Workplace Creating a learning culture involves encouraging knowledge-sharing, fostering collaboration, and providing resources for personal and professional growth. When organizations prioritize continuous learning, they create an environment that promotes innovation, creativity, and adaptability. For example, establishing systems for continuous feedback to allow employees to reflect on their performance, identify areas for improvement, and set goals for their development is a great way to foster a growth mindset. Companies can encourage their staff to pursue additional certifications or advanced degrees related to their field of work and they can even offer financial assistance or flexible work arrangements. Way 3: Fostering a Positive Work Environment A positive work environment, characterized by open communication, mutual respect, and recognition of achievements, is paramount to enhancing work performance. When individuals feel valued, supported, and motivated, they are more likely to invest their best efforts into their work and go the extra mile for the company. Strive to promote a culture of collaboration, where everybody is free to share their unique perspectives. Also create an environment where effective communication can take place. Hold regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins with managers, and anonymous feedback channels, for a sense of trust and transparency. Strategies for Building a Supportive Work Environment Building a supportive work environment starts with effective leadership. Leaders should set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and empower employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Cultivating a sense of belonging and camaraderie through team-building activities or social events can also foster a positive work culture. Additionally, creating opportunities for work flexibility, such as remote work options or flexible schedules, can promote employee well-being and productivity. Lastly, feel free to recognize exceptional employees via employee of the month awards, annual performance bonuses, handwritten notes, or public acknowledgments during team meetings. Measuring the Impact of Enhanced Work Performance Enhancing work performance is a complex process that requires careful planning and implementation. However, it is not enough to simply implement strategies; it is equally important to measure their impact. By measuring the effectiveness of these strategies, organizations can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to enhance work performance further. One way to measure the impact of enhanced work performance is through the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These KPIs serve as benchmarks for evaluating progress and provide tangible data to assess the effectiveness of the strategies implemented.  Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Work Performance Here are several KPIs that organizes tend to utilize to improve work performance: Productivity per employee: Assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of the workforce by measuring the amount of work completed by each employee within a given time frame. Determines whether staff works at full potential or if there are any obstacles hindering productivity. On-time delivery: Measures the ability of an organization to meet deadlines and deliver products or services on time by tracking the percentage of orders or projects delivered on schedule. Aids in evaluating operational efficiency and identifying any bottlenecks or areas for improvement in their processes. Customer satisfaction ratings: Assesses the quality of products or services provided by an organization by collecting feedback from customers and measuring their satisfaction levels. Determines whether performance enhancement strategies are positively impacting the customer experience.  Employee engagement scores: Evaluates the level of commitment and motivation among employees to improve employee satisfaction and morale. High employee engagement is often associated with increased productivity, better customer service, and lower turnover rates. Evaluating the Success of Performance Enhancement Strategies Measuring the impact of performance enhancement strategies requires a comprehensive evaluation process. This can be done through various methods, such as surveys, focus groups, or performance reviews. Surveys are a valuable tool for collecting anonymous feedback from employees regarding the effectiveness of the strategies implemented. By asking specific questions related to the strategies, organizations can gather valuable insights and identify areas where improvements can be made.  Focus groups provide an opportunity for team members to engage in open discussions about the strategies implemented while being overseen by a neutral third party. These sessions allow for a deeper exploration of the impact of the strategies and provide a platform for employees to share their experiences and suggestions for improvement.  Performance reviews provide an opportunity for managers and employees to have meaningful conversations about goals, progress, and areas for development. Conducting them will help businesses assess individual employee performance and identify any changes or improvements resulting from the implemented strategies. Overall, measuring the impact of enhanced work performance is crucial for organizations seeking to optimize their productivity and achieve success. By using KPIs and implementing evaluation methods such as surveys, focus groups, and performance reviews, organizations can gather valuable data and insights to continuously improve their strategies and ensure long-term success. Fuel your team's output using Wrike's unique performance-boosting features. Sign up for a free trial and explore the top three ways to enhance work performance. Note: This article was created with the assistance of an AI engine. It has been reviewed and revised by our team of experts to ensure accuracy and quality.

What Is Lead Time?
Project Management 10 min read

What Is Lead Time?

Lead time indicates how long it takes to go from start to finish. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the lead time meaning and how to calculate lead time.

Task Tracker Templates: Why You Need Them
Project Management 10 min read

Task Tracker Templates: Why You Need Them

Task trackers keep teams motivated and aligned to achieve their biggest goals over time. Learn how to use task tracker templates to improve team productivity.

How to Time Block Effectively (Top Tips Included)
Productivity 10 min read

How to Time Block Effectively (Top Tips Included)

Gain control over your daily schedule by learning about effective time blocking techniques to get more done. Learn more time blocking tips with Wrike.

The 15 Best Time Management Apps You Should Start Using Yesterday
Productivity 7 min read

The 15 Best Time Management Apps You Should Start Using Yesterday

Let your mobile devices work for you, not against you. From calendars to tomato timers, here are the best time management apps to manage your life.

30-Day Digital Detox: Curb Your Tech Addiction to Stay Productive
Productivity 10 min read

30-Day Digital Detox: Curb Your Tech Addiction to Stay Productive

We need to look at our routines and audit our habitual usage of our apps and digital products. Do they aid us in living better quality lives? Or do they harm our ability to focus and function? Here's how to accomplish a digital detox so you can reclaim some of that time back from your apps.

4 Tips to Improve Your Time Management this Holiday Season
Productivity 5 min read

4 Tips to Improve Your Time Management this Holiday Season

The holidays are stressful. Here are four ways you can step up your productivity and organization in time for the season... and the year to come.

7 Time-Savers for the Overworked [Infographic]
Productivity 3 min read

7 Time-Savers for the Overworked [Infographic]

Despite the global quest for work-life balance, many people still regularly work over the weekend and don't use all of their vacation days. This in turn causes them to be overwhelmed, overworked and laboring in overtime... If you dream about a 25th hour in the day to be fully productive and dedicate some time for yourself, we've got something for you. Since having an extra hour in the day is still impossible, we decided to give you some tips on how to work smarter. Here's an infographic with tips for saving heaps of time so you can spend more time in leisure! 1. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. In other words, immediately deal with tasks that take less than 2 minutes to complete. Are you sure all such tasks from your backlog in Wrike are done? 2. Business before pleasure. At work, try to fight off tempting distractions like Facebook. Spend working time productively and use your weekend for the fun, not work! To boost your productivity, choose a professional system. And with Wrike, professional doesn't mean boring! Wrike is as easy and attractive as using your familiar social networks. 3. It's not the hours you put in, but rather what you put into these hours. So tackle the most important and urgent tasks first. Timely prioritization of your tasks in Wrike will let you and your team always keep the focus on the highest-priority tasks. Use project time tracking in Excel or directly in Wrike to see where your time could be better spent. 4. When scheduling a project, remember to leave contingency time to deal with the unexpected. This way you can ensure you'll be on time and fulfill your commitments. If you need to reschedule a task or the entire project, it's as easy as a mouse motion in Wrike. 5. Is multitasking productive? The latest research shows that doing several things at once lowers your IQ score by 10 points! So actually devoting all of your attention and effort to one concrete task is much more cost-efficient, as it saves you time otherwise wasted on switching between different activities. 6. Single-handed success doesn't exist. Divide your tasks into small, actionable items and then delegate them to achieve more together with your team. In Wrike, it's a snap to assign multiple tasks, if needed. You can even do it right from your e-mail inbox. 7. Spare your mind for creative work, letting a reliable and easily accessible system remember all the tasks for you. Wrike helps to handle thousands of tasks and dozens of routine jobs, like sending reminders about due dates and notifications about the plan changes to your team.

Does Time Batching Improve Productivity?
Productivity 5 min read

Does Time Batching Improve Productivity?

Discover better work management with time batching. Learn why batching tasks improves productivity, focus, and cuts down on multitasking and distractions.

Prioritize Work & Conversations with Starred Items
News 3 min read

Prioritize Work & Conversations with Starred Items

How much time could you save if you didn't have to constantly jump between applications? Wrike is always looking for creative ways to speed up processes and increase efficiency. With our new introduction of 'Starred' and 'Sent' items in Inbox, users can reduce steps and save more time. We do this by creating an intersection between communications and your own work: a simple 'Star' icon, which instantly flags your own prioritized tasks. Quickly Prioritize Your Work & Communicate in a Single Place The new Starred section within Inbox contains your complete priority task list. Scan and focus on incoming @mention messages with the blue Star - your top priority tasks. Star conversations you need to keep an eye on. When the urgency is resolved, un-star it. When working on projects, Star high priority or urgent tasks to keep them easily accessible. Leverage the split screen in Inbox to get work done faster: scroll conversations on the left, and take action on the right. Filter Your Inbox Instantly: Incoming, Starred, and Sent Starred items organizes your urgent work for action. Scan quickly: @mentions are listed chronologically in Incoming and Sent sections. Respond easily by @mentioning individuals and adding a comment on the right.   Centralize All Your Work Conversations Integrate key email and IM conversations in Wrike, align them with specific projects and tasks, and track changes and decisions. Track conversations and changes in comments. Subscribe to notifications for file, assignee, schedule, or status changes. 'Starred' and Sent Items are available for all Wrike users in Inbox. Try out Starred and Sent Items if you're a Wrike user.     New to Wrike? Start a 2-week free trial and check out the new 'Starred' and Sent sections of your Inbox.

Survival of the Marketer: How to Prioritize Against Crammed Deadlines
Marketing 5 min read

Survival of the Marketer: How to Prioritize Against Crammed Deadlines

Use these steps to prioritize your marketing campaigns and decide which projects should be the focus of your team’s time and resources.

Ditch the Tomato Timer: 4 New Productivity Techniques to Try
Productivity 5 min read

Ditch the Tomato Timer: 4 New Productivity Techniques to Try

  You know all about Pomodoro, GTD, and 80/20 — and you're either a huge fan, or they've left you cold. Here are a few new productivity and task management techniques to help you be super productive without burning out. 1. Jerry Seinfeld's "Don't Break the Chain" Yep, that Jerry Seinfeld. Turns out, he's been sitting on a secret to daily productivity for years, and recently it's attracted a lot of attention. Here's how it works:  You'll need a red marker and a calendar to display in a prominent spot. Pick a routine task, a significant goal, or a skill you'd like to improve. It could be anything, from "Exercise" or "Learn Mandarin" to "Improve Customer Retention by 10%." Every day you work towards that goal or complete that task, put a big, fat X on your calendar. Pretty soon you'll have a chain of Xs. Now... don't break the chain. It's that simple! You can use this technique to track more than one goal or habit, but be judicious when choosing them. If you try and juggle too many, your chains will inevitably get broken and the whole thing will fall apart. Try to choose one or two big goals to build your chains on. Consistent, daily progress can have a big impact! Use this approach to: Develop a new habit, make steady progress on a big project, and give yourself an extra push of motivation to get things done — even when you don't feel like it. Is it time to improve your productivity? Don't procrastinate any longer — start your free Wrike trial today! 2. Jay Shirley's "Must, Should, Want" method Jay Shirley, creator of a habit-building application called The Daily Practice, developed this approach to make his days both productive and enjoyable. Here's how it works:  First thing in the morning when you create your to-do list, start with these three entries: 1. I must ______________ (a high-priority task that will have an immediate impact) 2. I should ____________ (a task that will contribute to your long-term goals) 3. I want ______________ (something you genuinely want to do) With this approach, every day you're working on something that will benefit you in the short-term, as well as lay the groundwork for long-term goals. And the "I want" task helps maintain your sanity by building in a little time for something you're passionate about. The next day, perhaps over your first cup of coffee, review your tasks and evaluate the results. Did you accomplish what you wanted to? Are you happy with the outcome? Building in a night of rest between working on tasks and reviewing them refreshes your brain and gives you a little bit of distance. After you've reviewed yesterday's progress, start creating your "Must, Should, Want" list for today. Use this approach to: Avoid burnout and stop dreading your to-do list. Plus, doing something you enjoy each and every day is good for your health, and helps make your productivity sustainable.  3. Marc Andreessen's Anti-ToDo List Do you ever look at your to-do list at the end of a busy day and think, "I didn't get anything done today"? It's pretty disheartening. But more than that, it's just not true. Odds are you actually did a lot of work — it's just not reflected in your to-do list. Still, that feeling of disappointment can take a heavy toll on your motivation. Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape, started incorporating an "Anti-ToDo List" into his daily habits to measure his productivity.   Here's how it works:  Every time you do something useful during the day, write it down. That's it. Your to-do list is a standard you'll never live up to consistently, and your Anti-ToDo list is daily deserved rewards. You shouldn't wait until a project is finished to celebrate what you've accomplished or savor your progress. It's amazing how feeling productive can help keep your productivity high! So next time you reflect on a hectic day and wonder, "What did I actually accomplish today?" just pull out your Anti-ToDo list and give yourself a pat on the back. Use this approach to: Gain incentive and motivation from your daily accomplishments, measure incremental progress, and get a clearer picture of how your working hours are actually spent.  4. Sam Carpenter's "Biological Prime Time" How many cups of coffee do you need to make it through your day? Is there a certain time in the afternoon when you feel completely wiped out? In his book Game the System, Sam Carpenter zeroes in on what he calls his "biological prime time," or the key windows of time where he's at his most productive. Here's how it works:  You'll need to start paying attention to three things: your productivity, focus, and motivation. Every hour or two, rate each on a scale from 1-10. After a week or so you can create a simple graph and start noticing some trends. Whenever your productivity, focus and motivation align at a high point, you've found a "biological prime time." Image credit: Chris Bailey By pinpointing these sweet spots, you can schedule your most important tasks or meetings for those times. That way, you're at your best during crucial moments and can channel those windows of focused productivity into high-priority projects. Use this approach to: Discover links between your diet, sleeping habits, and work environment to tweak your daily habits and increase productivity.  Share your personal productivity strategies: do you "eat the frog"? Follow the 2-minute rule? Track your to-dos using pen and paper, or prefer a task management software? We'd love to hear! And if you're interested in productivity habits for your entire team, download our eBook for concrete advice on transforming your team into a high performance unit: 5 Strategies for Forming Team Productivity Habits.  Sources: Lifehacker, JayShirley.com, iDoneThis.com, AYearofProductivity.com

Losing Track of Days at Work? Here’s How to Fix That
Productivity 7 min read

Losing Track of Days at Work? Here’s How to Fix That

What day of the week is it today? Losing track of days is a common occurrence exacerbated by COVID-19. Here’s how Wrike can help you fix it.

How to Prioritize Your To-Dos When Everything's Important (Video)
Productivity 3 min read

How to Prioritize Your To-Dos When Everything's Important (Video)

We’ve all been there: you walk into the office, take one look at your inbox or to-do list, and immediately feel the urge to run away. You’ve got a million things on your plate and they’re all important — where do you even start? The more requests come flying in at you from all sides, the less time and brainpower you have to discern which are actually worth your time. So you end up scrambling to do them all, perpetuating the cycle of eternal busy-ness. Stop. Take a deep breath and use a few of these prioritization tips from entrepreneur Lauren Perkins, NY Times bestselling author Greg McKeown, and Wrike's own productivity coach Errette Dunn to organize your day, get the most significant work done, and still have time for your own high-priority tasks. First hit 'play' on the short video below to learn the most important prioritization tip Wrike's Errette Dunn picked up from productivity pro David Allen, then keep reading for more expert advice: Tip 1: Define your deadlines. Tip 2: Get some space. At least once a quarter, get out of the office for a day to clear your head and re-focus on the big picture. Where do you want to be in a year? Three years? Reminding yourself of where you ultimately want to go will help you gain perspective and identify the projects and tasks that are instrumental in getting you there. Tip 3: Pretend you have half the time you actually do. Cut your work hours in half when you sit down to plot out your day. It’ll force you to be extremely picky when it comes to the tasks you agree to take on or contribute to. Bonus: it’ll give you time to make sure these high-priorities actually get done on time — and done well — and you’ll have time to tackle your own important to-dos, instead of just helping out with everyone else’s. Tip 4: Keep priority singular. When the word “priority” first appeared in the English language, it was singular, as in the one most important thing — and it stayed that way for close to 500 years. Only in the last century did we start identifying multiple priorities. So take back the word’s original meaning, and choose one priority for each day. It's likely you'll always have several important things going on, but if you don’t have a hierarchy with one single priority at the top, you'll always feel unfocused and pulled in too many directions at once. Tip 5: Learn to let go. Let go of perfectionism and the inclination to micromanage. If you always get caught up in perfecting every tiny detail of the project you're working on, you're only making more work for yourself and eating up more of your time. Learn to delegate tasks that don't absolutely need your input, and give yourself limits on the work that does so you don't start down the rabbit hole of nit-picking. How do you prioritize your daily workload? Share your favorite strategies in the comments below to add your ideas to our list! Sources: Entrepreneur.com, Inc.com

What Is an Information Silo?
Productivity 7 min read

What Is an Information Silo?

According to CMS Wire, workers, on average, spend 36% of their day looking for and consolidating information. But 44% of the time, they can't find the information. This wasted time and effort are caused by information silos.  Information silos are costly, but they are also fixable. Although they’re often thought of as unavoidable, the truth is solving them can lead to more productivity, improved work culture, and better use of resources. Keep reading to learn more about information silos and why people such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk chose to ban them from their companies.  What is an information silo? Silo is a management term that has been around for many years. It is often used to describe a lack of organizational cohesion. This issue has become a recurring theme in most organizations.  Many executives may dismiss their department's shortcomings as mere department inefficiencies. They may also dismiss the importance of cross-functional solutions and the need for employee training. This perspective is often referred to as a silo mentality.  A silo mentality is a mindset that prevents certain departments or sectors from sharing information with their peers. It can lead to decreased efficiency and employee morale. The silo mindset does not appear to be an accident. It is, however, a reflection of the complex dynamics within an organization. One common misconception is that the silo mentality is the root cause of these behaviors. In reality, it is the result of assumptions that are based on flawed logic and correctable issues that are often wrongly perceived as irreversible.  It’s the leadership team’s job to step up and create long-term solutions that are sustainable and can be easily implemented.  What are the problems associated with information silos? A silo mentality occurs when department or team communication is lacking, and there are no common tasks. In this scenario, the team derives its power and status from its group. They are less likely to collaborate with other teams or departments if their efforts are not shared. It is the owner's responsibility to create a culture that discourages silos within their business. They set a tone and values for their organization and approve employees seeking to maintain a silo mentality. If they do not, they run the risk of:  Limiting collaboration When employees aren’t clued in on bigger picture ideas and information, they often operate in a bubble. This individualism leads to issues connecting with goals. It also limits an employee’s ability to see beyond their own role and how it affects others.  Decreasing communication Information silos hold back important facts, data, and decisions from key employees. Not only does this make projects more confusing, but it can also dissuade employees from sharing valuable feedback.  Creating hostility Miscommunications and lack of collaboration can lead to interpersonal conflict among colleagues. When someone feels left out or makes a mistake because they lack information they believe they should have access to, it breeds a culture of contempt. This is yet another reason why communication management skills matter among leadership.  Inhibiting creativity  Information is empowering. It can inform decision-making, but it can also spark creativity. Without the right information, teams may feel as if they can’t think outside the box or risk making choices without the right facts in front of them.  Derailing progress It is not uncommon to need a large amount of ramp up to keep the momentum going. When teams waste time looking for missing information, waiting on access approval, and flipping through virtual files, their inertia is taken away.  Lost data Knowledge is power. It is the key factor that enables a team to thrive and be productive. When important data is lost, teams lose that power and consequently the ability to perform at a high level.  Examples of information silos Missing, out of date, or messy data in a CRM  A broken integration between one or more tools Forgetting to loop key decision-makers into important email conversations Using too many tools at once, so information is spread out and hard to look for Slower quote-to-cash workflows as a result of process complexity How to break down information silos with Wrike A strong leadership team is built on the understanding of the company’s long-term goals and key initiatives. It must also have the ability to communicate effectively with teams and motivate them to reach their full potential. Once the leadership team has agreed on a unified vision, it is important that they identify the root issues that may be causing silos to form. This team then needs to work with the other members of the organization to develop a strategy and implement it. That’s where Wrike comes in.  Wrike is a project management tool that simplifies the process of communicating and organizing important information. Here’s how:  Create structure The structure of a business can foster a silo mentality if employees do not get along with one another. Wrike uses visual tools for project communication such as color-coding, task owner photos next to assignments, and Gantt charts that lay out the entire project grid for maximum visibility.  Maximize collaboration To maximize collaboration, management should establish a culture where meetings are regularly scheduled — yet project planning is designed to reduce unnecessary meetings. Wrike solves these issues with a fully transparent project planning dashboard that is personalized for individual users and creates a single source of truth for the entire organization.  Measure progress Once a common goal has been established, it is important that it is measured accurately. Leaders must also establish a timeframe to complete it. This goal should also be communicated to all employees. Wrike shows progress across all tasks simultaneously so team members can see where they stack up. It also shows them how their work factors into big-picture goals.  Establish workflows  The owner or manager sets the rules and routines that define the organization's structure. This process helps preserve the culture while ensuring that the rules are followed. Wrike allows managers to create repeatable workflows that make rules and routines easy to follow for project phases and tasks.  Takeaway A business owner must develop strategies that help employees understand what they’re working to achieve. They also need to establish an environment where employees can collaborate and communicate. Wrike helps support these initiatives and more through advanced features that foster productivity and keep everyone on the same page at all times. Start your free trial today. 

Ultimate Time Management Strategies for Marketing Agencies
Productivity 7 min read

Ultimate Time Management Strategies for Marketing Agencies

Put an end to wasted work hours. Get back on track by using these time management strategies to become more focused and productive.

Introducing Timesheets in Wrike Resource: A Simple Way to Track Time Spent on Tasks
News 3 min read

Introducing Timesheets in Wrike Resource: A Simple Way to Track Time Spent on Tasks

Today, we’re announcing Timesheets, an enhancement to Wrike Resource meant to boost flexibility, transparency, and usability. Timesheets provides a simple way to track time spent on tasks.

How to Plan Your Work Week When Working From Home
Remote Working 7 min read

How to Plan Your Work Week When Working From Home

Learning how to plan your work week will help you stay focused when working from home. Use Wrike to create an effective weekly work plan that boosts productivity.

Use the Timer to Create Benchmarks
Project Management 3 min read

Use the Timer to Create Benchmarks

“What does that play button do?” “It starts our integrated timer, so you can track how much time you spend on tasks.” “Oh, well we don’t bill for our time, so we won’t use that feature.” I have this conversation all too often, and it’s undermining the real value that time tracking provides in any project: actionable data. When a new project gets dumped in your lap, what’s your biggest hurdle? Planning. It’s often the most intimidating part of the project management process. Too often it’s a guessing game based on past time estimates that your team may or may not have been able to stick to. Thorough, accurate plans mean achievable timelines, budgets, and deliverables. And happy team members, managers, and stakeholders. You can have all of this with Wrike's timer feature. Benchmarking: How Long Will It Take in the Future? What if you had a magical way of knowing exactly how long a task may take? No need to throw your money at me or beg for the magic technology — it's already within your Wrike account! Yes, the timer. Make your project plans more precise by having your team use the timer to log minutes spent on each task. You’ll get invaluable information about target employee hours that you can mine for future project planning gold. Your timelines will no longer be based on how much time you allocated for similar projects in the past, but on the actual time you spent. No more guessing — or having to constantly fine-tune internal benchmarks when plans shift. Speed: Who Can Do This Same Task Quickly? Not only that, time logs help you streamline your schedule and optimize your task distribution. You can save time by appropriately assigning time-sensitive tasks to team members with a proven track record of efficiency on similar work. Comments: How Long did Each Stage Take? Make the Wrike timer even more useful by asking your team to leave comments on their time entries describing the nature of their work or the stage of the task they completed. If you establish a set of pre-determined keywords for your team, say “proofreading,” or “reimbursement requests,” you can generate a comprehensive Excel list of the total time you spent on those task stages. For example, over a four week project I had 20 hours of work logged with the comment, “editing.” I now know to allocate approximately 20 hours into my personal schedule for the next time I tackle the same type of project. Or better yet, use the data as justification to involve a copyeditor. Have you used the timer in an interesting way? Share your wisdom in the comments!

10 Encouraging Productivity Proverbs for Your Office Wall (Part 2)
Productivity 3 min read

10 Encouraging Productivity Proverbs for Your Office Wall (Part 2)

If you read our first batch of productivity proverbs, you may remember that a picture is worth 1,000 words. So, without further delay, here are 5 more proverbs to get your productivity juices flowing on those days when all you want to do is crawl back into bed. 6. “An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.” Wrike recently conducted a survey to determine work how different lifestyle habits play a role in workplace productivity. We found that the proverb exists for a reason; only 10.2% of early birds feel overworked versus 26.7% of night owls. It might be difficult to wake up in the morning, but at the end of the day you'll appreciate the stress-free evening. 7. “Any time means no time.” We all work with or know someone who constantly says, "I'll do it tomorrow." Or maybe their cousin, the person who flippantly thinks, "It doesn't matter if I procrastinate now, I can get it done any time." Don't take a lesson from them. According to Wrike's productivity survey, more than 50% of employees feel that deadlines mobilize their best skills. If your boss claims that a project has no deadline, set one for yourself and stick to it. Working without deadlines increases chances you will never start the project at all, so do yourself a favor and make "any time" today. 8. “Think of many things, do one.” Think you are good at multi-tasking? Research shows that only 2% of people are good at juggling tasks without letting the balls drop. The rest of us may think we're keeping everything in the air, but more research suggests that we are actually knocking down our IQ by 10 points when we try to multitask, and our productivity is decreasing by as much as 40%. It's not your fault; the brains of "supertaskers" simply process information differently. So if you have a lot of ideas, write them all down (after all, a dull pencil is greater than the sharpest memory!) and then focus on one task at a time for the best results. 9. “Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll understand.” This proverb goes one step farther than the classic, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime," proverb. It is better to teach someone the answer rather than giving it away, but even more than that, you must involve them in the teaching. We retain 50-90% of what we learn by participatory teaching methods, compared to just 5% when listening. No more lectures! 10. “Better an ounce of happiness than a pound of gold.” Do you remember the old Mastercard commercials? The products bought in the commercial were expensive, but they happiness received was priceless. And according to Wrike's productivity survey, over 56% of surveyed participants feel motivated by a good mood, while the possibility of reward encourages efficiency in just 42.1% of those same employees. So don't overvalue money while undervaluing happiness; happiness is enough of a reward to boost your productivity. Did you like these amusing productivity lessons? Share them with your friends! We hope our 10 pieces of wisdom will help rejuvenate you at work. Save them in your phone, print them out as office decor, and read them over again when you're in a slump. And don't forget to spread the wealth to your friends and colleagues - we all have off-days.

10 Encouraging Productivity Proverbs for Your Office Wall (Part 1)
Productivity 5 min read

10 Encouraging Productivity Proverbs for Your Office Wall (Part 1)

"A proverb a day keeps distractions at bay" ... Okay, you caught us. That's not a real proverb. We just made it up, but it's true nonetheless. We collected 10 well-known proverbs about productivity and backed up their claims with insider business tips and facts to encourage you on those difficult work days. Today, we'll give your our first five insights. Post them on the wall by your desk for inspiration, or share them with your friends and colleagues when they feel like throwing in the towel. 1. "It is possible to move mountains by carrying small stones." Have you ever looked at a project and felt completely overwhelmed without a clue for how to start? If you have read The Progress Principle by Theresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, then you know about the power of "small wins." They say that small wins ignite our motivation to work and make further progress possible.  By moving one stone at a time, eventually we will have moved so many that the entire project is complete. For the best productivity, one study says you should work in small chunks of time as opposed to straight through an 8-hour day. Split your progress into 90-minute work sessions followed by 15-minute breaks to increase your focus by 16%. 2. "A picture is worth a thousand words." Whether you consider yourself a visual learner or an auditory learner, that fact is that we process visual information faster than written information. Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text. This is why marketers love infographics, why Instagram and Snapchat are so successful, and why you hire a photographer instead of a journalist for your wedding. Pictures just work. 3. "A dull pencil is greater than the sharpest memory." Do you have the memory of an elephant or of a goldfish? A study by the Dominican University of California shows that people who write down their goals (and share them with a friend) are 33% more likely to accomplish their goals than those who only rely on thought formulation to push progress. Next time you have a bright idea, grab a napkin and the closest writing utensil - be that a dull pencil or your child's favorite green marker - and write it down to keep you more accountable. Or better yet, jot down your idea in Wrike for safe keeping! If you're constantly jotting ideas down with nowhere to put them, consider researching how to set up an office at home, and ensure you've got plenty of storage around you to keep things organised. 4. "No living man all things can." If you find yourself mulling over work 25 hours a day, 8 days a week, it's time to re-prioritize your work life. The Harvard Business Review shared this fun fact: 41% of a knowledge worker's daily tasks could be handled more competently if they were delegated. Easier said than done, we know, but the benefits are worth it. Harvard Business Review said that knowledge workers who redistributed their tasks saved themselves about 6 hours of work and 2 hours of meetings per week. One man can't do everything, so learn to rely on others. 5. "A stitch in time saves nine." If you can fix it with one stitch now, you'll save yourself nine stitches in the future. The GTD method recommends that if the task will take less than two minutes then tackle it without delay. If you comply to this method, you won't have to waste future efforts on the small task AND any mistakes that have resulted from not fixing the issue early on. You'll thank yourself later. Feeling inspired? Share these with friends and colleagues, print them out for the office, and make everyone's productivity shine. And don't forget, this is only the beginning. If you liked these, we bet you'll love the next five proverbs, too. Stay tuned to re-examine more tips that can give you the extra boost you need.

How to Keep Employees on Track with a Time Management Calendar
Productivity 7 min read

How to Keep Employees on Track with a Time Management Calendar

Optimizing your calendar is key to productivity. Help your employees build their own time management calendar and prioritize the work that matters most to your business.