downTeam building workshops and internal cooperation strategies can make a great deal of difference when it comes to improving your productivity without breaking the bank. Indeed, too many companies still fail to make the most of their team and use time and resources ineffectively during projects. While they may still be productive, the work they deliver could end up costing a lot more – in time and money – than what it should. As a result, growth projects can be delayed, if not canceled.
Getting the right team to work in the best way is only one factor of productivity. At the heart of it, productivity in modern age means technology. And when you can’t rely on technology to do its job, your team – however well trained they are – is at a disadvantage. What’s the plan B when your tools don’t work? Is there a way to defeat the dreaded tech failure that affects your productivity?
No more down network
In aggregate, businesses lose $700 billion a year to IT failure in North America. Research shows that information and communication technology downtime is significant, costing around $1 million a year to a mid-size company. The productivity loss is humongous – almost 80%, meaning that for many businesses it’s the equivalent of running an empty office. Downtime occurs as a result of unexpected errors and lack of network management, which is something that managed IT services are keen to fight off with their managed services. Indeed, with the knowledge that more often than not, ICT downtime is the result of human error, relying on a professional service that is dedicated to the maintenance and management of your IT network reduce the risks of in-house faults.
It’s called equipment failure management, or plan B
The technology a business relies on doesn’t have to be reduced to computers online. Construction, mechanic and landscaping industries rely heavily on large-scale equipment which requires more than a simple reboot to overcome failure. Effective maintenance is naturally essential, but each company needs to develop a plan B strategy. Having a spare machine can ensure that you can keep up to speed while faulty equipment is repaired or replaced. Similarly, on-site repair partners – or even trained engineers in the team – can considerably reduce your productivity loss.
The work day is not lost even when the Internet is
Can an office really work when the Internet is down? Contrary to common belief, most employees don’t need to be connected to get on with their tasks. Admittedly, this might slow down all email-based communication, but if you’re waiting for clients’ responses, it doesn’t take long to call and explain the situation. While most people are used to the hyperconnectivity of the workplace, by no mean does it imply that you can’t work offline. Offline activities, such as articles and podcasts, can keep your staff up to date with the latest trends. Similarly, you can plan a brain dump with the team to think about current projects without digital interruptions.
Brainstorming from IDEO on Vimeo.
In an era where the workplace relies on technology in most tasks, it can seem impossible to carry on with the day when the tools you use let you down. But from proactive network maintenance to effective plan B and offline catch-ups, there’s no reason for your productivity to take a dramatic hit during a downtime.