Is there a way I can use IT to save my team time on everyday tasks?
I get asked about saving time a lot, but before I answer the question, there has to be an understanding on the part of the organisation or person asking it. You're probably not going to find a huge pile of missing hours sat in the corner of the room. Unless you're doing something drastically wrong, like not using computers at all (it would be a bold approach!), IT won't be able to find your staff an additional couple of hours every day.
To truly save time, you have to save lots of single minutes and build these single minutes up over time. When multiplied across a workforce, you'll find the real savings, but don't expect to find one big lump.
To truly save time, you have to save lots of single minutes and build these single minutes up over time. When multiplied across a workforce, you'll find the real savings, but don't expect to find one big lump.
So with that in mind, a unified communications platform can really help. It sounds complicated, but essentially what we're talking about here is a single piece of technology that can help with communication across a range of different tasks. So for example, here at Acronyms, we use a platform some of you might be familiar with called Microsoft Teams.
On Microsoft Teams we can send instant messages to one another, we can work on the same files collaboratively at the same time and we can make video calls and have meetings amongst colleagues or external parties. Instead of using an instant messenger, file storage, and video conferencing via three pieces of different software, using three different bits of tech, they are all available in one place.
This means that if we're discussing a particular document in a meeting, whether the attendees are internal or external, we can share it there and then on screen for everyone to read. We can also work on it there and then if need be, which has that added benefit of saving time on minute taking, which can sometimes omit important details. In short, though, this tool allows us to communicate internally and externally, whilst working together, without the need to switch between tools in what can sometimes be a cumbersome manner.
In reality, this will only save any individual a few minutes every day, if that, but over the course of a year it'll soon add up quite dramatically. Again, when this is multiplied by an entire workforce there can be huge savings to be made. From my experience, it'll also make everyone’s lives that bit simpler, as they have fewer balls to juggle, and this only helps morale and overall output. Limiting the number of software employees have to use makes it easier for them to learn as inevitably more time is spent on it and this too can be of great use for those employees that may struggle when it comes to adopting tech.