21 Ways for Tracking Productivity of Employees

Implement time tracking software

Implementing a time tracker involves integrating specialized tools or applications into your organization’s workflow to monitor and record the time employees spend on various activities. This process starts with selecting the right software that aligns with your organization’s needs and industry requirements.

Next, customize the software to capture time spent on different categories of work, such as billable hours, client projects, or internal tasks. Provide comprehensive training to employees to ensure they understand how to log their time and categorize their activities accurately. Regularly monitor the data the software collects to identify productivity trends and make informed decisions about workflow optimization. 

Additionally, solicit employee feedback to continuously improve the software’s usability and effectiveness. By implementing time-tracking software effectively, organizations can gain valuable insights into employee productivity and make data-driven decisions to enhance efficiency and performance.

💡 Everhour

With Everhour, you won’t have to worry about how to track employee daily work. Teams can easily track time spent on tasks and projects, analyze productivity trends, and generate insightful reports to optimize workflow efficiency.

What sets Everhour apart is its seamless integration with popular project management tools like Asana, Notion, and Jira, allowing for effortless time tracking within existing workflows. Whether it’s tracking billable hours, employee task tracking, managing team schedules, or analyzing productivity metrics, Everhour offers the versatility and reliability needed to drive productivity and success in any organization.

Key features

1. Intuitive time tracking: Effortlessly track time spent on tasks and projects.
2. Real-time insights: Gain instant visibility into team productivity with real-time reporting.
3. Seamless integrations: Integrate with popular project management, CRM, accounting, and other types of software.
4. Flexible billing: Easily generate accurate invoices based on tracked hours and rates.
5. Team scheduling: Efficiently manage team schedules and assignments for optimal productivity.
6. Customizable reports: Create customized reports to analyze productivity trends and identify areas for improvement.
7. Budget tracking: Set project budgets and track expenses to ensure projects stay on track.

Pricing

• Free Plan
• Team Plan: $8.50 per user per month, with advanced reporting and integrations
• 14-day free trial

Everhour is the top time tracker for SMB teams, including software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it! Seamlessly integrating with popular PM tools, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution. With dedicated support, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

Monitor employee activity

Monitoring employee activity includes monitoring their computer usage, internet browsing history, application usage, and keystrokes. By implementing employee monitoring software, organizations can gain insights into how employees are spending their time during work hours, identify potential productivity bottlenecks or inefficiencies, and ensure compliance with company policies and regulations.

To implement employee activity monitoring effectively, organizations should first establish clear policies and guidelines regarding the use of monitoring software to ensure transparency and employee privacy. It’s essential to communicate openly with employees about the purpose of monitoring and how the data will be used.

❗ To navigate this issue ethically, organizations must prioritize transparency, respect employee privacy rights, and use monitoring tools responsibly. Clear policies, open communication, and a focus on improving workflows rather than micromanaging employees can help strike a balance between accountability and respect for individual autonomy. Ultimately, the ethicality of monitoring practices depends on how they are implemented and whether they prioritize the well-being and dignity of employees.

Set clear performance goals

Setting clear performance goals is essential for tracking employee productivity effectively. Define specific, measurable goals that align with organizational objectives. Communicate these expectations clearly to employees through regular meetings and discussions.

Regular performance reviews

Schedule periodic evaluations to assess employees’ progress toward their goals and identify areas for improvement. Use these reviews as opportunities to recognize achievements and address any concerns or challenges. Provide constructive feedback that highlights strengths and offers actionable suggestions for development. Engage employees in open and honest discussions about their performance, goals, and career aspirations. By conducting regular performance reviews, you can ensure that employees stay motivated, focused, and aligned with organizational objectives.

Encourage open communication

Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Establish regular channels for communication, such as team meetings, one-on-one sessions, and anonymous suggestion boxes. Actively listen to employees’ perspectives and address any issues or challenges they may face.

Provide opportunities for employees to voice their opinions and contribute to decision-making processes. By promoting open communication, you can gain valuable insights into employee productivity levels and identify areas for improvement collaboratively.

Provide training and development

Offer regular training sessions to help employees improve their skills and stay updated on industry trends. Provide access to online courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to their roles. Encourage employees to pursue certifications and professional development opportunities.

By investing in their growth, you empower employees to perform their tasks more effectively and efficiently. Additionally, training and development initiatives demonstrate your commitment to supporting employees’ career advancement, fostering loyalty, and boosting morale within the organization.

Offer incentives and rewards

Implement a recognition & incentive program that acknowledges employees’ hard work and achievements. This can include monetary bonuses, gift cards, or other tangible rewards. Additionally, consider non-monetary incentives such as extra time off, flexible work arrangements, or public recognition.

Tailor incentives to align with individual and team goals, encouraging employees to strive for excellence. By recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance, you create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated to deliver their best.

Implement task management systems

Knowing how to track staff productivity entails Implementing task management systems. They streamline workflow and enhance productivity by providing a centralized platform for organizing, assigning, and tracking tasks. Examples of task management systems include Everhour, Trello, Asana, Monday.com, and Todoist.

These platforms allow teams to create task lists, set deadlines, assign responsibilities, and track progress in real-time. By utilizing task management systems, organizations can ensure clarity on project objectives, improve collaboration among team members, and maintain accountability for task completion.

Promote work-life balance

Encourage employees to prioritize self-care and set boundaries between work and personal life. Offer flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible scheduling, to accommodate diverse lifestyles. Provide resources and support for stress management, mental health, and work-life balance initiatives.

Encourage employees to take regular breaks, vacations, and time off to recharge and avoid burnout. By fostering a culture that values work-life balance, organizations can improve employee satisfaction, retention, and overall productivity.

Utilize employee feedback

Implement regular feedback mechanisms, such as surveys, suggestion boxes, or one-on-one meetings, to gather insights from employees about their experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improvement. Actively listen to employee feedback, acknowledge their concerns, and take appropriate actions to address any issues or areas of improvement identified.

Encourage open and transparent communication channels where employees feel comfortable sharing their feedback without fear of repercussions. By incorporating employee feedback into decision-making processes and continuously seeking ways to enhance the work environment, organizations can boost morale, engagement, and productivity.

Track key performance indicators (KPIs)

Identify relevant KPIs that align with organizational goals and objectives, such as sales targets, project deadlines, customer satisfaction metrics, or production output to measure productivity. Utilize data analytics tools or software platforms to gather, analyze, and monitor KPIs in real-time, allowing for timely insights and decision-making.

Regularly review KPI data to identify trends, areas of improvement, or potential bottlenecks that may impact productivity. Use KPI data to set benchmarks, establish performance targets, and track progress over time, enabling continuous improvement efforts and informed decision-making at all levels of the organization.

Recognize achievements

Whether it’s a simple “thank you” for a job well done or a more formal recognition program, acknowledging employees’ contributions fosters a sense of appreciation and encourages continued high performance. By publicly recognizing achievements, you not only reward individual effort but also reinforce positive behaviors and values within your organization.

This can lead to increased employee engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty, ultimately contributing to a more productive and cohesive work environment.

Set expectations for communication

Setting clear expectations for communication is vital for ensuring effective collaboration and minimizing misunderstandings within a team or organization. This involves establishing guidelines for how and when communication should occur, such as preferred channels (e.g., email, instant messaging, or meetings) and response times. By defining these expectations upfront, employees know what is required of them in terms of communication, which can help streamline workflows and prevent delays in project completion.

Additionally, clear communication expectations promote transparency and accountability, fostering a culture of open dialogue and trust among team members.

Encourage time management techniques

Encouraging time management techniques is essential for boosting productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Some common time management techniques include:

1. Prioritization: Encouraging employees to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance helps them focus on high-impact activities.
2. Time blocking: Encouraging employees to block off specific time slots for different tasks or activities can help them manage their time more effectively.
3. Pomodoro technique: Encouraging employees to work in short bursts (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by short breaks can help improve focus and productivity.
4. Setting deadlines: Encouraging employees to set deadlines for tasks helps create a sense of urgency and accountability.
5. Avoiding multitasking: Encouraging employees to focus on one task at a time can help reduce distractions and improve concentration.
6. Using productivity tools: Encouraging employees to use tools such as task management apps, calendars, and time tracking software can help them better organize their work and manage their time more efficiently.
7. Regular breaks: Encouraging employees to take regular breaks throughout the day can help prevent burnout and improve overall productivity.

Monitor project deadlines

By regularly monitoring project deadlines, teams can stay organized and focused on the tasks needed to meet project milestones. It helps identify potential delays or obstacles that may arise, allowing teams to take proactive measures to address them.

Additionally, it helps prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance, ensuring that critical tasks are completed first. Regular monitoring also facilitates better communication among team members, as it ensures that everyone is aware of project timelines and deadlines. 

Regular check-ins with employees

Consistent check-ins involve scheduling periodic meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and goals. These meetings can be set up through calendar invitations, virtual platforms, or team gatherings. They provide an opportunity for open communication, feedback, and alignment on expectations, fostering trust and collaboration within the team.

Managers can also maintain an open-door policy and utilize feedback tools to ensure ongoing communication and support for employees’ professional growth.

Model productivity behaviors

Model productivity behaviors entail leading by example and demonstrating productive work habits and behaviors. Managers and leaders should prioritize tasks effectively, manage their time efficiently, and demonstrate a strong work ethic to inspire and motivate their team members. By modeling productivity behaviors, leaders set a positive example for their team, encouraging them to adopt similar habits and work practices.

Provide feedback and recognition

Providing feedback and recognition involves regularly providing constructive feedback and acknowledging employees’ contributions and achievements. Recognizing employees for their hard work and accomplishments fosters motivation, morale, and engagement, while constructive feedback helps employees improve and grow professionally. By offering timely and specific feedback, managers can help employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Foster a positive work environment

Creating a positive work environment entails creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture where employees feel valued, respected, and motivated to do their best work. This involves promoting teamwork, collaboration, and open communication, as well as addressing any issues or conflicts promptly and effectively.

A positive work environment enhances employee experience, morale, and satisfaction, leading to higher levels of productivity and performance.

Monitor employee satisfaction

Monitoring employee satisfaction involves regularly assessing employee satisfaction and engagement through surveys, feedback sessions, or informal conversations. By understanding employees’ needs, concerns, and preferences, organizations can identify areas for improvement and take proactive steps to enhance employee satisfaction and retention. Regular monitoring of employee satisfaction helps organizations stay attuned to their workforce’s evolving needs and priorities, driving continuous improvement initiatives and fostering a positive work environment. Here are some ways to do it:

1. Conduct regular surveys or questionnaires to collect anonymous feedback on employee satisfaction levels, job satisfaction, and overall workplace experience.
2. Utilize employee engagement software to measure sentiment, track trends, and identify areas for improvement.
3. Implement suggestion boxes or digital feedback channels to encourage employees to voice their opinions and suggestions openly.
4. Hold focus groups or town hall meetings to discuss key issues, gather insights, and brainstorm solutions collaboratively.
5. Monitor employee turnover rates, absenteeism, and performance metrics as indicators of job satisfaction and overall morale.
6. Offer exit interviews for departing employees to gain valuable feedback on their reasons for leaving and areas for organizational improvement.

Ensure fairness in workload distribution

Ensuring fairness in a working environment entails distributing tasks and responsibilities fairly and equitably among team members. This involves considering employees’ skills, experience, and workload capacity when assigning tasks and making adjustments as needed to prevent burnout and ensure a balanced workload for everyone.

Best Way to Track Employee Productivity: Wrapping Up

In conclusion, knowing how to track productivity at work is essential for optimizing workplace performance and fostering a culture of accountability and efficiency.

Utilizing tools like Everhour can offer streamlined solutions for tracking time, managing tasks, and analyzing productivity metrics. With Everhour’s comprehensive features and user-friendly interface, businesses can gain valuable insights into employee performance and make informed decisions to drive success. Embracing a holistic approach to tracking employee productivity not only enhances individual and team performance but also contributes to overall organizational growth and success.

The post Best Way to Track Employee Productivity: Insights & Tools for Accurate Monitoring appeared first on Everhour Blog.

In this article, we’ll explore what a sense of urgency at work means, as well as the key principles of creating a sense of urgency, its psychological impact, and practical strategies to implement it effectively. Leveraging urgency can be a game-changer in achieving excellence and staying ahead in a competitive landscape.

What is a Sense of Urgency?

If we need to define a sense of urgency, it can go as follows: compelling need to act promptly and effectively in response to situations that demand immediate attention. It’s more than just speed; it’s about having a focused drive to accomplish tasks quickly without compromising quality. In both personal and professional contexts, cultivating a sense of urgency can lead to greater productivity, innovation, and the ability to stay ahead in a competitive environment.

This mindset encourages individuals and teams to prioritize tasks, make swift decisions, and maintain momentum in their work, ensuring that goals are met efficiently and effectively. By embracing a sense of urgency, organizations can foster a culture where proactive actions and timely responses become the norm, driving consistent progress and success.

To support this culture of urgency, leveraging the best time tracking software is essential. Everhour is the top time tracker for SMB teams, including software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it! Seamlessly integrating with popular PM tools, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution. With dedicated support, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

Sense of Urgency: Why It’s Essential

Understanding the importance of a sense of urgency can transform the way you approach tasks and challenges. Here are key reasons why it’s a crucial element for success:

• Drives focused action: A sense of urgency pushes you to act immediately on important tasks, reducing the chances of procrastination and ensuring that deadlines are met consistently.
• Enhances productivity: With urgency, you prioritize high-impact tasks over less critical ones, leading to better time management and a significant boost in overall productivity.
• Encourages proactivity: Urgency encourages you to anticipate and address potential issues before they escalate, allowing you to stay ahead of challenges and seize new opportunities quickly.
• Prevents complacency: By maintaining a sense of urgency, you avoid falling into a comfort zone, continuously striving for improvement and progress rather than settling for the status quo.
• Maintains a competitive edge: In today’s fast-paced world, urgency helps you stay ahead of the competition by quickly adapting to changes and responding to market demands with agility.

How to Create a Sense of Urgency in Your Team

Fostering a sense of urgency within your team is crucial for driving momentum and achieving goals. To effectively cultivate this urgency, you can follow a structured approach that moves through various stages: Activate, Accelerate, Achieve, and Assess. Here’s how you do it:

Activate: Start by initiating action and motivating your team to embrace a sense of urgency. Set clear, challenging goals and communicate the importance of immediate action.

Accelerate: Once the action is underway, focus on speeding up the pace. Encourage your team to push through obstacles and maintain high energy levels to keep projects moving forward swiftly.

Achieve: Ensure that the drive for urgency leads to successful outcomes. Keep track of progress and ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.

Assess: After achieving your goals, review the process and outcomes. Evaluate what worked well and what could be improved, and adjust strategies to maintain or enhance urgency in future projects.

Additional strategies for instilling urgency

Set clear, achievable goals

Begin by establishing clear and specific goals that are challenging yet attainable. When your team knows exactly what they are working towards and understands the importance of their tasks, they’re more likely to feel the urgency to deliver results. Break down larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps with clear deadlines to maintain focus and momentum. A time management technique, such as SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—can further enhance goal-setting and effectiveness.

Communicate the bigger picture

Help your team understand how their work fits into the larger organizational goals and why their contributions are vital. When team members see the impact of their efforts on the company’s success, they are more likely to adopt a sense of urgency. Regularly remind them of the broader mission and how their roles contribute to achieving it.

Lead by example

As a leader, your expert power and behavior set the tone for the rest of the team. Demonstrate urgency in your actions, decision-making, and time management. Show that you value efficiency and are committed to meeting deadlines. When your team sees you prioritizing urgent tasks and making quick, informed decisions, they’re likely to follow suit.

Foster a culture of accountability

Encourage a culture where each team member is accountable for their work. Assign ownership of tasks and make it clear that meeting deadlines is a non-negotiable aspect of the job. Hold regular check-ins to monitor progress and address any delays or obstacles immediately. When everyone is responsible for their deliverables, the overall sense of urgency within the team increases.

Celebrate quick wins and progress

Recognize and reward team members who demonstrate urgency and achieve quick wins. Celebrating these successes reinforces the importance of working efficiently and creates positive reinforcement for the desired behavior. Publicly acknowledge those who go above and beyond to meet deadlines or push projects forward, motivating others to do the same.

Eliminate unnecessary obstacles

Identify and remove any barriers that slow down your team’s progress. This could include streamlining processes, cutting down on unnecessary meetings, or providing additional resources and support. By minimizing distractions and inefficiencies, you allow your team to focus on what’s truly important, enhancing their ability to act with urgency.

Instill a mindset of continuous improvement

Encourage your team to constantly seek ways to improve their work and processes. When team members are always looking for ways to be more efficient, they naturally develop a sense of urgency in completing tasks and finding innovative solutions. Promote a culture where feedback is welcomed, and continuous learning is part of the everyday workflow.

Urgency in communication

Ensure that communication within the team is clear, concise, and timely. Delays in communication can cause bottlenecks, so it’s crucial to establish expectations for quick responses and updates on progress. Use tools and platforms that facilitate fast and efficient communication, ensuring that everyone stays on the same page and can act promptly when needed.

Empower decision-making

Empower your team to make decisions quickly without unnecessary red tape. Provide them with the authority and confidence to take action on urgent matters without always waiting for approval. When your team feels empowered to make decisions, they’re more likely to act swiftly and decisively, which is key to maintaining a sense of urgency.

By implementing these strategies, you can cultivate a strong sense of urgency within your team, driving them to perform at their best, meet deadlines consistently, and contribute meaningfully to your organization’s success.

Tips & Best Practices for Maintaining a Sense of Urgency

Creating a sense of urgency is important, but maintaining it over time is essential for sustained success. Here are some tips and best practices to help keep your team consistently focused and motivated:

🧠 Keep deadlines realistic and meaningful: Unrealistic deadlines can demotivate your team, while overly lenient ones can lead to complacency. Ensure that deadlines have clear significance, connecting them to specific outcomes or milestones to give your team a sense of purpose.

🧠 Provide regular feedback and support: Offer continuous feedback to your team, highlighting both areas of improvement and success. Constructive feedback helps team members understand where they need to pick up the pace, while positive reinforcement keeps them motivated.

🧠 Revisit and reinforce goals regularly: Keep your team aligned by regularly revisiting and reinforcing the overarching goals. This not only reminds them of the bigger picture but also helps in reassessing priorities and maintaining focus on what’s urgent. Regular goal-setting sessions can help refresh the team’s motivation and commitment.

🧠 Stay adaptable and open to change: The ability to adapt quickly is key to maintaining urgency. Encourage your team to be flexible and open to changes in priorities or strategies. When unexpected challenges arise, a team that is adaptable can shift focus rapidly and continue to move forward without losing momentum.

🧠 Avoid overloading your team: While urgency is important, it’s crucial to avoid overwhelming your team with too many tasks at once. Balance workloads to prevent burnout and ensure that each team member has the capacity to focus on urgent tasks. Recognize the signs of stress and be ready to adjust priorities or provide additional help when needed.

🧠 Celebrate progress, not just outcomes: Acknowledge and celebrate milestones along the way, not just the final outcomes. Recognizing incremental progress keeps the team energized and reinforces the sense of urgency. Regular celebrations of small wins contribute to a positive team culture and sustained motivation.

🧠 Lead with empathy and understanding: Finally, maintain a balance between driving urgency and showing empathy. Understand that your team members have different working styles and personal commitments. By being empathetic and supportive, you can maintain a healthy work environment where urgency doesn’t lead to undue stress or burnout.

Drive Success with Urgency and Everhour

Creating and maintaining a sense of urgency within a team is crucial for driving productivity, meeting deadlines, and achieving organizational goals. To support this process, leveraging tools that streamline project management and time tracking can be incredibly beneficial. Everhour is an excellent solution that integrates seamlessly with popular project management tools, offering features designed to enhance tracking and reporting. With Everhour, you can keep your team focused, monitor progress effectively, and ensure that your projects stay on track. By combining a strong sense of urgency with robust project management tools like Everhour, you’ll be better positioned to achieve your goals and drive sustained success.

The post Sense of Urgency: Best Practices to Improve Your Work Habits & Decision-Making appeared first on Everhour Blog.

Why Motivation Matters

In the workplace, employee motivation is a crucial driver of productivity and job satisfaction. Whether it’s through motivational quotes for work or positive reinforcement, finding ways to inspire and uplift can lead to a more effective and harmonious work environment.

Sharing team motivational quotes or inspirational quotes for work teams during meetings or on bulletin boards can foster a sense of unity and shared purpose. Monday motivational quotes for work are particularly effective at combating the common slump at the beginning of the week, providing the spark needed to kickstart productivity.

A well-motivated team not only performs better but also creates a positive work environment. Positive work environment quotes can reinforce this atmosphere, making the workplace a more enjoyable and dynamic place to be. Additionally, motivational quotes for staff can help individuals stay focused on their goals, and short motivational messages for teams can offer quick, impactful bursts of encouragement.

Ultimately, the best work quotes for employees are those that resonate on a personal level, offering both inspiration and practical motivation. By incorporating inspirational quotes for coworkers into the daily workflow, employers can cultivate a culture of positivity and drive, leading to sustained success and satisfaction.

To further enhance productivity and ensure efficient time management, using tools like Everhour can make a significant difference. Everhour is the top time tracker for SMB teams, including software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it! Seamlessly integrating with popular PM tools, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution. With dedicated support, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

22 Leadership Quotes to Inspire and Motivate

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” – Warren Bennis

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell

“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” – Ralph Nader

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

“Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems.” – Brian Tracy

“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” – Arnold H. Glasow

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” – John C. Maxwell

“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” – Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh

“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” – Ronald Reagan

“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” – Jim Rohn

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy

“The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.” – Ray Kroc

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” – John C. Maxwell

“Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results, not attributes.” – Peter Drucker

“Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.” – Bill Bradley

“Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.” – Harold S. Geneen

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

“Leadership is the art of giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work.” – Seth Godin

“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.” – Roy T. Bennett

21 Teamwork Quotes to Inspire Collaboration

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” – Henry Ford

“Teamwork makes the dream work.” – John C. Maxwell

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” – Ken Blanchard

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson

“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth

“Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” – Mattie Stepanek

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” – Ryunosuke Satoro

“The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison.” – James Cash Penney

“Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results.” – Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan

“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” – H.E. Luccock

“To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless.” – Mike Krzyzewski

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford

“The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side.” – Margaret Carty

“We talk a lot about hope, helping, and teamwork. Our whole message is that we are more powerful together.” – Victoria Osteen

“Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.” – Anonymous

“When you hand good people possibility, they do great things.” – Biz Stone

“Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie

21 Perseverance and Inspiring Quotes

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

“The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.” – Anonymous

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” – Walter Elliot

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

“The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.” – Charles Kingsleigh

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is how high you raise your foot.” – Benny Lewis

“Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.” – Dan Reeves

“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vidal Sassoon

“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” – Newt Gingrich

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

21 Creativity Quotes

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” – Albert Einstein

“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse

“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” – Joseph Chilton Pearce

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” – Albert Einstein

“The chief enemy of creativity is ‘good’ sense.” – Pablo Picasso

“Every artist was first an amateur.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.” – Albert Einstein

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.” – Jack London

“Creativity involves breaking out of expected patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” – Edward de Bono

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” – Dr. Seuss

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” – Scott Adams

“Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity.” – Ray Bradbury

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” – Albert Einstein

“Originality is nothing but judicious imitation.” – Voltaire

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” – Sylvia Plath

“Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.” – Bruce Garrabrandt

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” – Pablo Picasso

“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” – Albert Einstein

21 Appreciation Quotes for the Workplace

“The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.” – Charles Schwab

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“The greatest asset of a company is its people.” – Jorge Paulo Lemann

“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Dr. Seuss

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward

“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” – Simon Sinek

“A genuine compliment is not only a gift to the receiver but also a gift to the giver.” – Robert A. Heinlein

“It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa

“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” – William James

“Recognition is the greatest motivator.” – Gerard C. Eakedale

“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and the way to a woman’s heart is through her career.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all the others.” – Cicero

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“The simple act of caring is heroic.” – Edward Albert

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” – John Holmes

“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.” – Mary Poppins (P.L. Travers)

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

How to Use Motivational Quotes at Work

Incorporating motivational quotes into the workplace can be a powerful way to boost morale, foster a positive work environment, and inspire employees. Here’s how you can effectively use these quotes to uplift your team and enhance productivity:

1️⃣ Start the week with inspiration: Kick off the workweek with motivational Monday quotes for work. These can set a positive tone for the week ahead, energizing employees and focusing their minds on achieving goals. Consider displaying Monday motivation quotes for work in common areas or sharing them in team meetings.

2️⃣ Incorporate into daily communication: Use motivational quotes for employees in daily or weekly emails. A short motivational quote for employees can serve as a quick boost and reinforce a positive atmosphere and team dynamics. Including inspirational work quotes for employees in newsletters or announcements can also help maintain momentum.

3️⃣ Create a motivational wall: Designate a space in the office for motivational quotes for work teams. This can be a physical bulletin board or a digital space where inspirational office quotes are regularly updated. Encourage team members to contribute their favorite job quotes or work ethic quotes for employees.

4️⃣ Personalize messages from managers: Managers can use motivational quotes for employees from managers in one-on-one meetings or during team gatherings. Personalized quotes can resonate more deeply and boost employee motivation. Tailoring motivational messages for teams to specific challenges or achievements can make them more impactful.

5️⃣ Leverage positive reinforcement: Use positive quotes for coworkers to acknowledge achievements and reinforce a positive work culture. Quotes to motivate employees can be included in performance reviews or appreciation notes to highlight hard work and dedication.

6️⃣ Enhance team collaboration: Incorporate motivational quotes for work team activities and projects. Sharing inspirational quotes for employees during team-building exercises or brainstorming sessions can foster collaboration and drive collective success.

7️⃣ Support employee well-being: Utilize positive energy quotes for work to promote a healthy and balanced work environment. Short positive quotes for coworkers can be used in wellness programs or as part of mental health initiatives to encourage a supportive atmosphere.

By strategically using these motivational quotes, you can create a more engaging and supportive work environment, helping employees stay focused and motivated to achieve their best.

Conclusion

Incorporating motivational quotes for employees into your workplace can boost morale and drive productivity. Using motivational quotes for work or inspirational quotes for employees in meetings and daily communications fosters a positive atmosphere and encourages a strong work ethic.

Pair these quotes with effective tools like Everhour, which helps manage project costs and track productivity, to create an environment where motivation and efficiency go hand in hand. By blending inspiration with practical solutions, you can cultivate a more engaged and productive team.

All-in-one time management system for your team

Estimate tasks, set budgets, customize reports – direct in your project management tool.

✔️ Asana time tracking
✔️ Trello time tracking
✔️ Basecamp time tracking
✔️ Jira time tracking
✔️ GitHub time tracking
✔️ ClickUp time tracking
✔️ Monday time tracking

The post Motivational Quotes for Work to Kickstart Your Week appeared first on Everhour Blog.

Benefits of a Positive Attitude at the Workplace

Enhanced productivity

Employees with a positive attitude are generally more motivated and focused on their tasks. This increased employee motivation translates to higher productivity, as they are more willing to put in the effort and go the extra mile. Positive employees also tend to be more engaged with their work, leading to better performance and efficiency.

Improved team collaboration

A positive attitude promotes better communication and cooperation among team members. When employees approach interactions with a positive mindset, they are more likely to listen actively, share ideas openly, and work together harmoniously. This collaboration enhances overall team dynamics, making it easier to achieve common goals and complete projects successfully.

Reduced stress levels

Maintaining a positive outlook can significantly reduce stress levels in the workplace. Employees who focus on the positive aspects of their work and remain optimistic are better equipped to handle stress and setbacks. This creates a more relaxed and enjoyable work environment, reducing the likelihood of burnout and absenteeism.

Higher job satisfaction

A positive attitude is closely linked to a better employee experience and higher job satisfaction. Employees who approach their work with enthusiasm and optimism are more likely to find fulfillment in their roles. This satisfaction can lead to increased loyalty to the company and a lower turnover rate, as employees feel more connected to their work and their organization.

Better problem-solving

A positive mindset encourages creative thinking and resilience. Employees with a positive attitude are more likely to view challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. This perspective enables them to approach problems with a solutions-oriented mindset, leading to more effective problem-solving and innovation.

Enhanced customer service

Employees who maintain a positive attitude are more likely to provide excellent customer service. Their upbeat demeanor can create a welcoming and pleasant experience for customers, leading to higher customer satisfaction and retention. Positive interactions with employees can also enhance the company’s reputation and attract more business.

Boosted morale

A workplace characterized by positivity can significantly boost overall morale. When employees feel positive about their work environment, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and supportive of one another. This high morale creates a more pleasant and inspiring workplace, contributing to the overall success and well-being of the organization.

Everhour is the top time tracker for SMB teams, including software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it! Seamlessly integrating with popular PM tools, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution. With dedicated support, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

How to Develop a Positive Attitude

Positivity in the workplace not only enhances your personal well-being but also creates a more collaborative and supportive environment for everyone. Here are practical steps to help you cultivate and maintain a positive attitude at work.

1. Practice gratitude

• Start your day by noting three things you’re grateful for at work. It could be supportive colleagues, a recent project success, or simply the coffee machine in the break room. This habit shifts your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right.
• Real-world application: Companies like Google encourage employees to maintain gratitude journals, fostering a culture of positivity and appreciation.

2. Focus on solutions, not problems

• When faced with a challenging project, instead of complaining about the difficulties, brainstorm possible solutions. If a deadline is tight, think about reallocating resources or asking for help from your team.
• Real-world application: At Toyota, the principle of Kaizen (continuous improvement) involves every employee in problem-solving, creating a proactive and positive work environment.

3. Surround yourself with positive people

• Seek out colleagues who are optimistic and enthusiastic about their work. Engage in conversations with them during breaks or team lunches to boost your own mood and outlook.
• Real-world application: Many successful tech companies, such as Facebook, organize regular team-building activities to help employees connect and foster positive relationships.

4. Set realistic goals

• Break down large projects into manageable tasks and set achievable deadlines for each. Celebrate small wins along the way to maintain motivation and a positive attitude.
• Real-world application: SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals are used in many organizations, like Microsoft, to keep employees focused and positive about their progress.

5. Maintain work-life balance

• Ensure you have time for hobbies, exercise, and family. Taking regular breaks during the day can also help you return to work with a refreshed mind.
• Real-world application: Companies like Salesforce offer flexible working hours and remote work options, recognizing that a balanced life leads to happier, more positive employees.

6. Seek feedback and learn from it

• Instead of dreading performance reviews, view them as opportunities for growth. Ask for constructive feedback and use it to improve your skills and performance.
• Real-world application: At Netflix, a culture of open feedback helps employees continuously improve and stay positive about their development.

7. Stay healthy

• Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep significantly impact your mood and energy levels. Incorporate short walks during lunch breaks and choose nutritious snacks.
• Real-world application: Many companies, like Adobe, provide wellness programs and on-site fitness facilities to support their employees’ health and positivity.

8. Practice mindfulness

• Spend a few minutes each day practicing deep breathing or meditation to reduce stress and increase your focus. Apps like Headspace can guide you through quick, effective mindfulness exercises.
• Real-world application: Aetna, a health insurance company, offers mindfulness training to employees, resulting in reduced stress and improved overall well-being.

9. Celebrate successes

• Acknowledge your own achievements and those of your colleagues. Whether it’s completing a project or hitting a sales target, take time to celebrate and appreciate the effort put in.
• Real-world application: Companies like Zappos have a tradition of ringing a bell in the office to celebrate milestones, creating a culture of recognition and positivity.

10. Embrace challenges as opportunities

• When encountering a difficult task, view it as a chance to learn and grow rather than an obstacle. Reflect on past challenges you’ve overcome to build confidence.
• Real-world application: At Amazon, employees are encouraged to “think big” and tackle ambitious projects, fostering a culture where challenges are seen as opportunities for innovation.

11. Develop a positive self-talk habit

• Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. For instance, instead of thinking, “I can’t handle this,” tell yourself, “I am capable and will find a way.”
• Real-world application: Many leaders, like Oprah Winfrey, advocate for positive self-talk, which has been instrumental in their success and maintaining a positive mindset.

12. Find purpose in your work

• Connect your daily tasks to the larger goals of the organization. Understanding how your role contributes to the company’s mission can enhance your sense of purpose and positivity.
• Real-world application: Nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity ensure that employees understand the impact of their work, fostering a motivated and positive workforce.

13. Stay organized

• Keep your workspace tidy and use tools like to-do lists or digital planners to manage tasks effectively. An organized environment reduces stress and promotes a positive mindset.
• Real-world application: The use of project management tools like Asana or Trello helps teams stay organized and focused, leading to a more positive and productive work atmosphere.

14. Help others

• Offer assistance to a colleague who is struggling with a task. Acts of kindness and support not only help others but also boost your own mood and sense of accomplishment.
• Real-world application: At companies like LinkedIn, a culture of collaboration and mutual support is encouraged, leading to a more positive and engaged workforce.

15. Seek continuous learning

• Take advantage of training programs, workshops, and seminars to enhance your skills. Learning new things keeps you engaged and positive about your career growth.
• Real-world application: Google’s “20% time” policy allows employees to spend a portion of their time on projects they are passionate about, promoting continuous learning and innovation.

By implementing these tips and strategies, having a positive attitude is easy and quick, leading to a more fulfilling and productive career.

Overcoming Challenges to Maintaining a Positive Attitude

Despite the best efforts to cultivate a positive mindset, certain challenges can make it difficult to maintain a positive attitude at work. Here’s how to tackle these obstacles effectively:

👿 Dealing with workplace conflict

• Open communication: Address conflicts directly with clear and respectful communication. For example, if you have a disagreement with a team member, request a private meeting to discuss your concerns and find common ground.
• Empathy: Try to understand the other person’s perspective. This can help in finding mutually agreeable solutions and reducing tension.
• Seek mediation: If direct communication doesn’t resolve the conflict, involve a neutral third party to mediate and help reach a resolution.

😒 Handling workload stress

• Prioritize tasks: Break down tasks into manageable parts and prioritize them based on deadlines and importance. For instance, create a to-do list and focus on completing high-priority tasks first.
• Delegate: Share responsibilities with team members where possible. This helps in distributing the workload and easing individual stress.
• Use tools: Implement project management tools to organize tasks and track progress efficiently, reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed.

🗻 Overcoming setbacks

• View them as learning opportunities: Instead of dwelling on failures, treat them as opportunities to learn and grow. For example, if a project doesn’t go as planned, review what went wrong, adjust your strategy, and apply these lessons to future tasks.
• Stay resilient: Maintain a forward-thinking mindset and focus on solutions rather than problems. This helps in bouncing back quickly from setbacks.

🧘‍♀️ Dealing with negative colleagues

• Maintain your positivity: Stay focused on your own positive attitude and avoid getting caught up in negativity. For example, if a colleague is consistently negative, limit your interactions with them and focus on constructive conversations.
• Encourage constructive feedback: Foster an environment of open, positive feedback. If possible, provide supportive and constructive criticism to help shift the tone of discussions.

🤹‍♀️ Balancing work and personal life

• Set boundaries: Clearly define your work hours and personal time. For instance, avoid checking work emails after hours to ensure you have time to unwind and recharge.
• Engage in enjoyable activities: Spend time on activities that bring you joy, such as hobbies or family outings. This helps maintain a healthy work-life balance and overall well-being.

Conclusion

A positive attitude in the workplace goes beyond just improving morale—it directly contributes to increased job satisfaction, enhanced productivity, and a more supportive team environment. By focusing on key strategies such as fostering supportive relationships, finding purpose in your work, and prioritizing well-being, both employees and organizations can experience substantial benefits.

Tools like Everhour, a powerful time tracking software, can support these efforts by helping teams stay organized and manage their time effectively. Integrating Everhour into your workflow can help reduce stress and improve overall productivity, contributing to a more positive work environment.

The post Boosting Job Satisfaction & Reducing Stress with a Positive Attitude at Work appeared first on Everhour Blog.

Evaluation Criteria for Productivity Tracking Tools

📈 Features and capabilities: Ensure it offers all the functionalities you need to monitor and boost productivity effectively.

💻 Ease of use: The tool should be easy to navigate for both managers and employees to minimize the learning curve.

📊 Reporting and analytics: Consider the quality and depth of the reporting and analytics features as detailed reports can help you better understand productivity trends.

🔧 Integration with other tools: Check if the work productivity tracker integrates seamlessly with other software you use.

🕒 Real-time monitoring: Determine if the team productivity tracker provides real-time monitoring and updates.

👩‍💼 Employee-friendly: Choose a tool that balances monitoring with respect for employee privacy and trust.

📱 Mobile accessibility: Ensure the employee productivity software is accessible on mobile devices.

Everhour is the top time tracker for SMB teams, including software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it! Seamlessly integrating with popular PM tools, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution. With dedicated support, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

Employee Productivity Monitoring Tools: Comparison Table

11 Best Employee Productivity Monitoring Tools

Everhour

Everhour is a robust employee productivity monitoring tool that offers a comprehensive set of features designed to enhance productivity and track employee productivity. This tool integrates seamlessly with popular project management software like Asana, Trello, Basecamp, and Jira, making it an excellent choice for teams already using these platforms.

Key features

• Time tracking: Everhour provides accurate time tracking capabilities, allowing employees to log hours spent on various tasks and projects. This data helps managers understand how time is allocated and identify areas for improvement.
• Budgeting: With budgeting features, you can set project budgets and track expenses in real-time. This ensures that projects stay within financial constraints and helps in better financial planning.
• Reporting: Everhour generates detailed reports on employee productivity, project progress, and time usage. These insights can be used to optimize workflows and enhance overall productivity.
• Team collaboration: The tool promotes transparency and cooperation between team members by providing a clear overview of who is working on what and how long tasks are taking.
• Integration: Seamlessly integrates with various project management & accounting & CRM & other tools, making it easy to incorporate into your existing workflow without disrupting processes.

Pricing

• Free Plan: Suitable for freelancers or small teams who need basic time tracking and reporting features.
• Team Plan: Starting at $8.50 per user per month, this plan includes advanced features such as project budgeting, invoicing, and team management.

Time Doctor

Time Doctor is an advanced employee productivity monitoring tool designed to optimize time management and enhance team efficiency through comprehensive features.

Key features

• Accurate time tracking: Time Doctor excels in precise time tracking, allowing users to monitor and record time spent on tasks and projects down to the minute.
• Productivity monitoring: Gain deep insights into team productivity with Time Doctor’s monitoring capabilities. This includes analysis of application usage, templates utilization, and review of website visits during work periods.
• Project & task management: Beyond time tracking, Time Doctor offers robust project and task management features. Users can allocate time to specific tasks within projects, ensuring clarity and accountability.
• Screencasts & screenshots: Time Doctor provides visual proof of work activities through screenshots and screencasts. This feature enhances transparency and accountability among team members.
• Website and app usage tracking: Monitor websites and applications used during work hours to identify time-wasting activities and promote focused work.
• Integration with popular tools: Seamlessly integrates with various project management, accounting, and payment systems, enhancing workflow efficiency and reducing manual data entry.

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $7 per user per month
• Standard Plan: $10 per user per month
• Premium Plan: $20 per user per month

Hubstaff

Hubstaff is software to track employee productivity with precise insights into their team’s work patterns and efficiency through a robust set of features.

Key features

• Precise time tracking: Hubstaff offers accurate time tracking through various methods, including manual entry, GPS tracking, and desktop screenshots. This ensures that every minute of work is meticulously recorded.
• Project management integration: Seamlessly integrates with popular project management tools, allowing users to link time tracking directly to specific projects and tasks. This enhances coordination and project management.
• Advanced reporting: Provides robust reporting features, enabling users to generate detailed time and activity reports. These reports offer insights into employee productivity, project progress, and resource allocation.
• Location services: Incorporates GPS location tracking and geofencing to provide comprehensive insights into employee movements, making it ideal for businesses with field teams or remote workers.
• Productivity monitoring: Uses activity tracking functionalities to monitor employee productivity and analyze work patterns, including keyboard and mouse activity.
• Alerts and reminders: Configurable alerts help prevent overtime, while timely reminders encourage breaks to enhance employee well-being.

Pricing

• Starter: $4.99 per user per month
• Grow: $7.50 per user per month
• Team: $10 per user per month
• Enterprise: $25 per user per month

DeskTime

DeskTime is a powerful employee productivity monitoring tool designed to optimize time management and enhance team efficiency through its comprehensive features.

Key features

• URL tracking: The desktop version is equipped with advanced tools such as URL tracking, allowing meticulous monitoring of app and website usage. This feature helps in identifying productivity bottlenecks and ensuring focused work.
• Productivity reports: Comprehensive productivity reports offer valuable insights, distinguishing billable time from non-billable activities. These reports help in analyzing work patterns and improving overall efficiency.
• Project management integration: DeskTime seamlessly integrates project management functionality, facilitating the linkage of tracked time to specific tasks and clients. This integration ensures accurate billing and project tracking.

Pricing

• Pro Plan: €6 per user per month
• Premium Plan: €9 per user per month
• Enterprise Plan: €18 per user per month

RescueTime

RescueTime is an advanced employee productivity monitoring tool designed to provide deep insights into time management and enhance team efficiency through its comprehensive features.

Key features

• Activity tracking: RescueTime monitors your activities across devices, providing insights into time spent on various tasks such as meetings, document writing, and research. It also includes offline tracking for a comprehensive view of your day.
• Focus sessions: The platform aids concentration by blocking non-work-related websites and apps during designated focus sessions. This feature helps users stay focused on their work without distractions.
• Productivity reports: Get a clear picture of your productivity with RescueTime’s insightful reports. Identify time-wasting habits and make informed adjustments.
• Goal setting: Set productivity goals and monitor your progress over time. RescueTime keeps you accountable, motivating you to stay on track.
• Time management for teams: RescueTime for Teams offers collaborative features, allowing managers to monitor team productivity and identify areas for improvement.
• Offline time tracking: RescueTime also tracks time spent away from digital devices, providing a more comprehensive view of your daily activities.

Pricing

• Free Lite version: Includes basic features
• Premium Plan: $12 per month or $78 annually, including a two-week free trial

Insightful

Insightful is a robust employee productivity monitoring tool designed to automate time tracking and enhance project management through its powerful and easy-to-use features.

Key features

• Automated time and activity tracking: Insightful excels in automated time and activity tracking, ensuring accurate work hour capture without the need for manual data entry.
• Project-centric organization: Helps categorize time entries based on specific projects. This enhances time card organization and facilitates precise tracking.
• Real-time employee monitoring: Provides real-time employee monitoring, offering a comprehensive understanding of how time is spent. This feature elevates time card analysis by providing valuable productivity metrics.
• Idle time tracking: Goes beyond basic functionalities by tracking idle time, ensuring accurate time card entries by accounting for moments of inactivity during work hours.
• URL and app tracking: Enhances productivity tracking with URL and app tracking, providing insights into digital activities and offering a nuanced perspective for time card management.

Pricing

• Paid plan: Starts at $6.40 per user per month. Insightful does not offer a free version but provides a free trial

ActivTrak

ActivTrak is a sophisticated employee productivity monitoring tool that excels in analytics capabilities, offering advanced insights and dashboards to facilitate informed decision-making.

Key features

• Workforce intelligence dashboard: Provides extensive insights into team performance with a comprehensive workforce intelligence dashboard, enabling managers to monitor and enhance team efficiency.
• Automated time tracking and location insights: Enhances productivity tracking for distributed staff by offering automated time tracking and location insights.
• Impact analysis: Helps identify the potential effect of organizational changes on team performance, allowing managers to make data-driven decisions.
• Advanced reporting: Allows analysis of the performance of your best employee on a given task, enabling you to apply those insights to improve team performance.

Pricing

• Free version: Includes basic features
• Essentials: $10 per user per month
• Professional: $17 per user per month
• Enterprise: Contact for pricing

ProofHub

ProofHub is an exceptional productivity-tracking tool with a strong focus on project management. It combines intuitive project management capabilities with essential employee-monitoring features to build engagement and productivity over time.

Key features

• Time-tracking features: Attach directly to individual tasks, ensuring precise tracking of time spent on each project.
• Custom fields and workflows: Enable even the most unique projects, offering flexibility and customization.
• Employee-level reporting: Simplifies team monitoring with detailed reports on individual performance.
• Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations: Facilitate easy communication with your remote workforce, enhancing collaboration and productivity.

Pricing

• Essential: $45 per month for unlimited users
• Ultimate Control: $89 per month for unlimited users

SmartTask

SmartTask is a dedicated project management tool that also excels in productivity tracking. Its excellent time-tracking capabilities allow team members to log time spent on tasks either manually or automatically, providing valuable context to project needs and success.

Key features

• Time and budget tracking: Flows automatically into advanced project reports, offering comprehensive insights into project performance.
• Extensive customization options: Suitable for every industry and business size, allowing teams to tailor the tool to their specific needs.
• Free training and onboarding: Simplifies the initial setup process, ensuring that teams can start using the tool effectively from day one.

Pricing

• Free Forever: Includes basic features
• Premium: $7.99 per user per month
• Business: $10.99 per user per month
• Enterprise: Contact for pricing

Teamwork

Teamwork is a comprehensive project management tool that also offers robust employee productivity features. Its time-tracking and resource management capabilities help build engagement and enhance team efficiency.

Key features

• Advanced reports and management features: Help balance team capacity for more realistic and balanced workloads, ensuring optimal team performance.
• Client management features: Allow users to store client records, including communication and finances, in a single space for streamlined client management.
• Tracking time, budgets, and expenses: Facilitates better management of recurring revenue by providing detailed insights into time, budgets, and expenses.

Pricing

• Free Forever: Includes basic features
• Deliver: €10.99 per user per month
• Grow: €19.99 per user per month
• Scale: €54.99 per user per month
• Enterprise: Contact for pricing

Kickidler

Kickidler is an employee monitoring software equipped with productivity tools to help companies control personnel and improve workplace efficiency.

Key features

• Visual assessment: Supervisors can visually assess what employees are doing without interrupting their work, utilizing a unique quad splitter feature similar to CCTV systems.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Works on Windows, Mac, and GNU/Linux systems, offering flexibility across different operating environments.
• Violation monitoring: Helps protect company and client data by detecting work schedule violations, ensuring compliance with service level agreements.
• Comprehensive activity recording: Records the entire history of computer activities to prevent illegal acts and enhance security.
• Automated reports and timesheets: Facilitates efficient tracking of work hours with automated report and timesheet generation for supervisors and HR officers.

Pricing

• 14-day free trial
• From $3.67 per user per month

Employee Productivity Monitoring Tools: Conclusion

Selecting the right employee productivity monitoring tools is crucial for enhancing organizational efficiency. Everhour, with its precise time tracking and seamless integration with project management tools, ensures accurate tracking and accountability.

Each employee productivity tracking software tool reviewed in this article brings unique strengths. However, choosing Everhour as your employee productivity monitoring tool ensures precise time tracking and seamless integration with project management systems. Its robust features empower teams to maintain accountability and optimize workflow efficiency.

The post 11 Best Employee Productivity Monitoring Tools: Track Performance & Identify Bottlenecks appeared first on Everhour Blog.

In the long run, having self-advocacy skills can open many doors for you. Although, for these doors to open, it is important to dedicate the time and effort to master the skill as early as possible! So, let us dive right in!

What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy is best described as the professional approach to speaking about yourself and communicating your worth.

Self-advocacy helps you present yourself in a way that will make for a positive and lasting impression. Take a job interview for instance. Interviews exist to help companies distinguish candidates from the rest of the application pool.

There is only so much a hiring manager can learn about you on paper. They will see the interview as a way to understand how you might operate in a role and what your personality is like. As you self-advocate, you are not only speaking up for yourself but are also giving information to the interviewer about who you are.

Furthermore, learning how to effectively advocate for yourself will help you maintain professional relationships with coworkers and clients. Not only is self-advocacy important when looking for a job but it can be practiced throughout your daily life as well. 

What are the Critical Elements of Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy is an essential skill that enables individuals to effectively communicate their needs, desires, and rights. Mastering self-advocacy involves understanding and practicing several critical elements:

1. Self-awareness

• Understanding your needs and desires: The foundation of self-advocacy is self-awareness. It involves recognizing your values, strengths, weaknesses, and the specific needs that must be addressed in various situations.
• Emotional intelligence: Being attuned to your emotions and how they impact your behavior and decision-making is crucial. This awareness allows you to articulate your feelings and perspectives clearly and assertively.

2. Effective communication

• Clear and assertive expression: Communicating your needs in a clear, concise, and assertive manner is key to self-advocacy. This involves using “I” statements, maintaining a calm tone, and avoiding aggressive or passive communication styles.
• Active listening: Effective self-advocacy is not just about speaking up but also about listening to others. Active listening helps you understand different perspectives, respond appropriately, and foster mutual respect in conversations.

3. Confidence

• Belief in yourself: Confidence in your abilities and rights is essential for effective self-advocacy. It empowers you to stand up for yourself, even in challenging situations, and to persist in pursuing your goals.
• Resilience: Confidence also means being resilient in the face of rejection or opposition. Understanding that setbacks are a part of the process helps maintain your self-assurance and commitment to self-advocacy.

4. Knowledge of rights and resources

• Understanding your rights: Knowing your legal and personal rights in different contexts—whether in the workplace, educational institutions, or healthcare settings—ensures you can advocate for yourself effectively.
• Access to resources: Being aware of the resources available to you, such as support networks, legal aid, or informational tools, can significantly enhance your ability to advocate for your needs.

5. Strategic planning

• Setting clear goals: Effective self-advocacy involves having a clear understanding of your goals. Whether it’s securing a promotion at work or addressing a personal need, defining what you want to achieve is crucial.
• Developing a plan of action: Once your goals are set, creating a step-by-step plan to achieve them is essential. This plan should include identifying potential challenges, understanding your audience, and preparing responses to possible objections.

6. Boundary setting

• Establishing personal boundaries: Clearly defining your boundaries is a key aspect of self-advocacy. This involves knowing what you are comfortable with and ensuring others respect those limits.
• Enforcing boundaries: Being able to assertively enforce your boundaries when they are challenged is critical. This may require repeated communication and the willingness to take action if boundaries are not respected.

These critical elements work together to create a strong foundation for self-advocacy, enabling you to navigate personal and professional situations with greater confidence and success.

How to Communicate Your Worth

Essentially, self-advocacy consists of two major areas you need to master: KNOWING your worth and COMMUNICATING your worth. We’ll talk about the former in a bit, but let’s touch on the latter first. Communication is an essential part of self-advocacy (and is critical to success in business and in life overall).

If you struggle to communicate your worth, rest assured that you are not alone. For many people, it is not a skill that comes naturally. However, there are many communication skills and methods that can help you improve your self-advocacy skills, including but not limited to:

Practicing anxiety management
Doing self-reflection to help set your boundaries
Developing your listening skills and actively listening to others
Working on your body language to better engage your listeners
Learning to sharpen and simplify your messages, and more

If you feel that the major part of your self-advocacy struggle comes from the fact that you’re not as proficient a communicator as you could be, consider investing an hour of your time in going through this brilliant lecture from Stanford Graduate School of Business. You will learn the ground rules for being comfortable in speaking up and driving your point across:

Self-Advocacy Skills to Implement in Your Daily Life

It’s one thing to speak about yourself, and another to be able to do so effectively and convincingly. As you improve these skills, know that this is a process and it won’t happen overnight. There may be times when you feel defeated and incapable when practicing self-advocacy. If you’re feeling this way, recognize that dedicating the time and effort now will benefit you later in life. Take a look at the following four self-advocacy tips and consider how you can implement them in your life!

1. Show confidence in your knowledge and expertise

A common mistake people make is doubting themselves when speaking out about a subject matter they are not experts on. With so many skilled people in the workforce, it’s also normal to feel underqualified and thus nervous during interviews or business conversations. However, don’t let this fact discredit your expert power. If you feel too much like an imposter, you might be subconsciously selling yourself short.

You can showcase your expertise by addressing questions like an expert. To achieve this:

1. Use a clear vocabulary and powerful diction. This will help present your professional side and that you’re serious about the role.
2. Over-prepare. Knowing your subject matter and doing the necessary preparation will make you come off more confidently than if you did not.

2. Address areas where you fall short

Addressing where you fall short and knowing yourself well will also help you self-advocate during a negotiation. This quick video covers all the basics of answering the dreaded “What are your weaknesses?” interview question without being insincere or retreating to a cliche:

When you apply for a job, you won’t cross off every box on the hiring manager’s checklist. However, this does not mean you will be taken out of the running for the position immediately. Knowing how to present yourself and properly addressing the requirements you don’t match can make a difference! 

Do your best to positively explain your shortcomings. For example, if you don’t have a certification that the role is asking for, you can dig deeper and see if you have any relevant experience that can act as a substitute. Your substitute should have something to do with similar skills within the certification. That way when you go into the interview, you can say you haven’t completed the certification, but you have professional experience in similar areas.

Editor’s note: Try and practice this substitution method before the actual interview, so you understand how to effectively communicate the idea and avoid coming off as insincere.

3. Have clear and defined goals that you can negotiate for

Self-advocacy can also help you reach your goals. To best achieve your goals, make sure to have a clear idea of what exactly you’re hoping to accomplish. This bedrock will make you feel more comfortable when putting your foot forward to negotiate! 

Let’s say you land a position and want certain terms associated with your contract. Some people have the goal of getting a higher salary or more paid time off. For your request to be effective, you’ll need to feel confident when talking with management.

The justifications behind your “ask” should be any qualifications that push you past the competition. You may have a higher degree or more experience than other applicants. Or, you have intangibles, such as incredible attention to detail or an uncompromising work ethic.

Editor’s note: Keep in mind that you may need to compromise. At the end of the negotiation, both you and your employer should be satisfied with the outcome.

4. Do not be afraid to ask for help

Part of knowing how to self-advocate is knowing when and how to ask for help when you need it. Learning from others is how people grow. While it is important to not sell yourself short, don’t let this stop you from reaching out to others for help. In this case, instead of advocating for your skills, you’re advocating for your needs.

If you want to learn more about the subtle art of speaking up for your worth, your wishes, and your needs, this brilliant Ted speaker shares some valuable insights on speaking up for yourself through a range of stories from his own life experience:

Resources to Learn Self-Advocacy

Developing strong self-advocacy skills is essential for navigating both personal and professional environments. Whether you’re aiming to improve your ability to communicate your needs, negotiate effectively, or make informed decisions, there are various resources available to help you hone these skills:

Books and guides

• “Assertiveness Workbook” by Randy J. Paterson: This book offers practical exercises to help you build assertiveness, an essential component of self-advocacy.
• “Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson: This guide provides tools for engaging in difficult conversations with confidence and clarity.
• Online articles and blogs: Websites like Psychology Today, MindTools, and Forbes often publish articles on self-advocacy techniques, communication strategies, and personal development.

Workshops and seminars

• Local community centers and educational institutions: Many offer workshops on communication skills, assertiveness, and conflict resolution, all of which are key to effective self-advocacy.
• Professional development programs: Organizations often host seminars on self-advocacy within the workplace, focusing on career advancement, negotiating salaries, and setting boundaries.

Online courses and webinars

• Coursera and Udemy: These platforms offer courses on topics like negotiation, communication, and leadership—all of which contribute to strong self-advocacy.
• YouTube tutorials: Channels dedicated to personal development frequently feature videos on self-advocacy, covering everything from speaking up in meetings to managing interpersonal relationships.

Support groups and communities

• Online forums: Communities like Reddit or specialized Facebook groups can provide a space to share experiences, seek advice, and learn from others’ self-advocacy journeys.
• Professional networks: Joining industry-specific groups on LinkedIn or attending networking events can help you practice and refine your self-advocacy skills in a supportive environment.

Mentorship and coaching

• Find a mentor: A mentor can offer personalized guidance on self-advocacy, drawing from their own experiences and providing feedback on your progress.
• Life coaching: Coaches specializing in personal development can help you set goals, overcome barriers, and build the confidence needed to advocate for yourself effectively.

Self-Advocacy: The Bottom Line

Developing self-advocacy skills can make an immense difference both professionally and personally. People often mistake being social for knowing how to self-advocate, but these are two different skills. Knowing how to self-advocate is a skill that takes practice and effort to master. 

Everhour is the top time tracker for SMB teams, including software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, youtime name it! Seamlessly integrating with popular PM tools, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution. With dedicated support, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

Advocate for yourself in a job search – is knowing how to communicate your worth and presenting yourself in a positive light. Although it may take time, try to practice some of the skills listed above throughout your daily life. As you actively make an effort to develop your skills, the quicker they will become a habit.

The post How to Build Self-Advocacy Skills: Your Path to Personal Empowerment appeared first on Everhour Blog.

1. Take stock

Before you can even begin to engage in a time management plan, it’s essential to know what you’re actually spending your time doing. You might be surprised to learn that you spend way more time than you think returning emails and answering messages, which is the first step to understanding how to trim down that time, or if that’s not an option, how to accommodate that time and adjust other things in your day around it.

Who it’s good for: Anyone looking to optimize their time management. This technique is particularly useful for professionals overwhelmed by tasks and needing to identify time drains.

2. Plan For The Next Day

Before you close up shop and end your workday, sit down with your planner, calendar, or whatever you use to keep track of your to-do lists and what you need to get done. 

Write down a list of the most important things you have to do the next day, and then make sure you have everything you need to hit the ground running when you get back to your desk in the morning. Tidy up, make sure everything’s charged, sticky notes stuck, etc. 

It doesn’t hurt to keep a daily calendar of inspirational images on your desk or quotes on time management as a homepage in your browser. You’d be surprised how much a clever or insightful phrase can motivate!

26 Famous Time Management Quotes to Motivate You and Your Team

A master list of the best time management quotes out there to keep you inspired and away from procrastination.

Who it’s good for: Busy professionals, students, and anyone with a hectic schedule. This technique helps individuals who need structure and a clear plan to start their day effectively.

3. Organize Your Morning Routine

When we follow an easy, low-maintenance morning routine, it sets the stage for the mood for the rest of the day. Even if it’s just a shower, coffee, and breakfast before you even look at anything work-related, make it a ritual, it doesn’t have to be a big deal as long as it puts you in a space of relaxed focus. 

When you do get to your desk, be mindful of your time when you read and respond to emails and messages to make sure you’re staying on track, then revisit the task list you made the night before and prioritize them based on new information you may have received through any new emails and messages, deadlines, etc. 

Time blocking is an excellent method for prioritizing your tasks and staying on track. For more information about time blocking and how it works check out: 

Time Management Worksheet for Accurate Time Blocking

How to make all your tasks manageable, organize your time effectively, and digitize your diary with this time blocking technique.

Who it’s good for: Individuals who struggle with starting their day on the right foot. This is especially beneficial for those who find mornings chaotic or who want to boost productivity from the outset.

4. Put Unpleasant Tasks First

Start achieving your daily goals by completing the most unpleasant tasks first. The reasoning behind this is twofold: first, your focus is sharper and less fatigued at the beginning of the day, you’re able to think more clearly and efficiently. The second is perhaps more important when it comes to stress – if you procrastinate, that task will loom over you. Just get it out of the way, it’ll feel so good to strike it off your to-do list and that weight will be lifted. (BTW, this time management technique is particularly useful for students.)

Everhour is the top time tracker for SMB teams, including software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it! Seamlessly integrating with popular PM tools, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution. With dedicated support, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

Who it’s good for: People who procrastinate or feel overwhelmed by daunting tasks. Ideal for anyone who needs to tackle tough tasks head-on to prevent them from hanging over their heads all day.

5. Pad Your Schedule

ALWAYS budget more time than you predict you’ll need to complete a task, not only because sometimes you’ll need more time than you expected, but also because you need some time to come up for air.

When your watch or timer tells you to stand up, do it! Take a quick walk to get the circulation flowing, and clear your head. Oh, and unless you’re a robot, you may need a bathroom break or two.

Who it’s good for: Professionals and students who often find themselves running out of time. Useful for anyone needing to account for unexpected interruptions and avoid burnout.

6. Eliminate Distractions

When starting a new task our brain takes time to get accustomed to it. This means that if we get distracted, we need time to get back to the same level of concentration. Besides, nothing is more frustrating than spending some time devising how you’ll approach the task, then just as you’re ready to dig into it, someone texts you with something unimportant. Now you’ve lost your pace and have to refocus to start over!

No one loves that, so eliminate as many distractions as possible. Turn off your cell phone to avoid pop-up messages and social media, find a comfortable place away from noises and talkative colleagues, and consider using the Pomodoro technique.

How to use Pomodoro technique to dramatically increase your focus and productivity

Could a simple kitchen timer in the shape of tomato make a MASSIVE difference in organizing your daily routine?

Who it’s good for: Those who work in environments prone to interruptions or who struggle with focus. This technique is beneficial for anyone needing a quiet, distraction-free workspace.

7. Communicate

While eliminating distracting factors helps you concentrate, we do recommend reaching out and communicating when it can save you some time and brain overload.

One well-formed question to the right person can save you hours of work or scrolling through the internet in search of the answer! Also, it’s a good way to build a great working relationship with your coworkers and ensure that your team members are in sync with each other.

Who it’s good for: Team members and collaborators who need to coordinate tasks or clarify uncertainties. Essential for anyone working in team settings or remote environments where communication is key.

8. Avoid Multitasking

Experts have been saying for years that multitasking has a negative effect on our brains and our productivity. It reduces our ability to concentrate which opens us up for more mistakes, more time wasted fixing avoidable mistakes, and more stress. 

One of the ways we can avoid multitasking is to use project management software – Asana is one of the crowd favorites – and a time tracker that seamlessly integrates with it. When working in conjunction with one another, they systematize your tasks in order and help review the estimated time you’re spending on each. 

Reviewing the time you and your team spend on tasks throughout the day or week is a key part of time management in other ways, too. It gives you a leg-up by providing insight into how efficiently you and your team used resources for past projects, so you can plan future projects more efficiently knowing how much time and other resources you’ll need to complete specific tasks, and who is best suited for what tasks.

Who it’s good for: Individuals who find themselves juggling multiple tasks at once and experiencing decreased productivity. Particularly useful for those needing to focus deeply on specific tasks.

9. Delegate

Delegation is one of the best ways to get some of those things off your plate that are eating your time. If there’s someone you work with (or who works for you) that can do that task just as well or better, team up and ask for some help, particularly if you see that person’s schedule allows it. This isn’t confined to the work environment, either. Ask for help with tasks at home so you can get in a little more downtime. 

Also, learn to say no. If someone invites you to lunch and you know it’s going to end up as a two-hour social call, take a rain check for when you may have a little more time to spare.

Who it’s good for: Managers, team leaders, and anyone feeling overwhelmed by their workload. This technique is useful for people who need to distribute tasks effectively to manage their time better.

10. Reward Yourself! 

Give yourself extra incentive to be productive by taking time out to do things that you enjoy after completing a particular task or project – especially the ones you were least looking forward to.

Even if it’s just a run down to your favorite coffee shop or 15 minutes catching up with friends on social media, giving your brain a signal to relax and enjoy can provide you the extra bit of energy you could use to get through the rest of the day. (Another reason why we like the Pomodoro Technique!)

Who it’s good for: Anyone needing motivation to complete tasks. This technique is great for individuals who find it hard to stay motivated throughout the day or week.

11. Read Time-Management Literature

If you want to implement time management techniques fully, you need to develop many skills – concentration, task prioritization, building a routine, consistency, and others. All of them require hard work, and if you want to get results, just one article isn’t enough. It may take time to find a solution that works for you.

We humbly suggest you should do some homework. Read some books by the pros to figure out what works best for you, and what doesn’t:

Top 5 productivity books that are totally worth reading

Here we’ve gathered some of the best books on productivity that you might like, just to get you started. 

Who it’s good for: Those looking to deepen their understanding of time management techniques. Ideal for individuals interested in exploring new methods and improving their overall time management skills.

12. Try New Trends

By implementing a new or unusual approach to scheduling, like the 9/80 work schedule, for instance, you may find your productivity increase while your stress decreases.

We’re also big fans of time management games and activities. They’re great for getting out of the rut of traditional time management techniques for a while and exercising your creativity. Plus they’re fun! (Many of these can be done during virtual meetings, too).

Who it’s good for: People who are stuck in a rut with traditional time management methods. This technique is perfect for those looking to refresh their approach and experiment with innovative strategies.

Time Management Techniques: Final Word

As you undoubtedly already noticed, a lot of us beat ourselves up over the things we “should” do. Sometimes, the stress we experience is self-inflicted.

Time management is definitely a key factor in helping us decrease that stress, but it won’t do us a ton of good if we’re stressed about following our time management plan. Ease into your own routine in your own way, and give yourself a break when things don’t work out down to the minute. 

Here at Everhour, we are using these effective time management techniques and they seem to be working out well. That’s why we wanted to share them with you, too! You can power up your experience by using best time management apps or best productivity apps.

The post Conquer Chaos: 12 Best Time Management Techniques for a Stress-Free Life appeared first on Everhour Blog.

Referent power is the type of power that can dramatically change your business and make your team work better. All you need is to reconsider your leadership style and include referent power in your self-improvement schedule. In this article, you’ll uncover:

✅ What is referent power?
✅ Why do you need referent power in your company?
✅ What are some examples of referent power?
✅ The most useful tips on how to develop your referent power.

What Is Referent Power?

When it comes to power in the workplace, a lot of people associate it with formal ranking and obedience. However, John R. P. French and Bertram Raven conducted a survey in 1959 and identified 5 bases of power, aka where power comes from. These are:

• Referent power
• Legitimate power
• Expert power
• Coercive power
• Reward power

By defining these bases, French and Raven reveal that “power” is far more than a chain of command. So, then, what is referent power, and how does it work? In the corporate world, the referent power definition boils down to this:

This definition of referent power derives from the idea of soft power. It relies on trust and democracy where a leader influences their followers (or in the workplace subordinates) through admiration and respect. This is recognized by followers. 

Referent power is never a formal type of power as it relies on the personal qualities of the leader. The followers admire these qualities and see the leader as a role model. They look up to him or her. In many situations, they consider what the leader would do in this case.

In modern team environments, leveraging the right tools can enhance leadership and team efficiency. For example, Everhour is one of the best time tracking software and the top time tracker for SMB teams, including software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it! Seamlessly integrating with popular PM tools, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution. With dedicated support, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

This type of power works great for those business owners and entrepreneurs who want to build strong collaborative relationships with their colleagues. The referent leadership helps to create an enabling environment at work and boost employees’ morale so that they feel like wanting to do their jobs instead of treating it as an obligation.

For a quick overview of referent power as one of the types of power, and why it’s key to professional communication, take a look at this video below:

What Makes Referent Power So Effective in Leadership?

Referent power is an effective thing for creating a positive atmosphere and improving employees’ working style. But how does it work in practice? Here are 5 reasons why you should use a referent power in your leadership style:

1. A respected and admired leader inspires their staff to strongly commit to their jobs. They work as a practical model for all the employees by showing an example of how work should really be done in the company.
2. An encouraging and supportive leader who is ready to back up with tough issues decreases their employees’ anxiety level and minimizes counterproductive behavior. This way, each worker in the company isn’t afraid to approach the leader with a question and can get an answer at any time. 
3. Workers feel free to share their ideas and vision of a project, which can significantly contribute to its success and result in positive outcomes. With a strong collaborative working style at a company, employees know that they can express their ideas and be heard.
4. Well-built collaboration reduces bureaucratic procedures in the company and accelerates the workflow between teams and departments. This way, employees realize that their work is about successful results rather than paper procedures and obtaining authoritative permissions.
5. Referent power has a direct connection to better employee retention. Nobody wants to have an intimidating boss. Gallup survey shows that people tend to resign from bosses and not the companies. 

Referent Power Examples

It might seem surprising, but we quite often run into examples of referent power. The main source of referent power is the world of fame and popularity. For example, having a boss who treats every employee fairly and helps them when they need it. Another example is Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, who inspires his fans to work on themselves – whether in the ring, on film, or simply by being himself.

“Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.”

George Washington
the first president of the United States

The business world is also full of referent power examples. Elon Musk is a person lots of people admire and many more look up to. All of his followers are proud to work with him and share their interests in technology and Mars travels. His leadership style inspires and pushes his team to make new creations.

Another great example is Bill Gates, a software developer and philanthropist who encourages people to launch the most outrageous startups or donate money to charity. And as we all know, his Microsoft corporation has been a game-changer in the world of computing.

Referent power in the workplace

Below are some examples of how referent power works in practice.

✔️ As a leader you fulfill your promises

Why this works: By showing yourself as reliable, you create a stable work environment where your team knows that what you say will happen, will happen. Whether this following up on a task, project, or even an employee review. 
Effect on your team: From your example, they are more likely to follow up on tasks or promises they make to others as you have set workplace culture.

✔️ As a leader you lead by example

Why this works: It’s one thing to say to do something. It’s another to actually do it. If you want your team to adopt certain habits or practices, you need to do them yourself. For example, this may be participating in team building.
Effect on your team: You show yourself as someone who isn’t “all-talk” and gain respect.

✔️ As a leader you are open to new ideas

Why this works: Think you always have the best ideas? Think again. Being open to what your team tells you is one of the best ways to advance. After all, you can’t think of everything.
Effect on your team: By showing you listen to your team, they will feel more able to express their ideas and take ownership over their work.

How to Harness Referent Leadership Power?

So, how to be an effective leader and utilize referent power? The good news is that you can build it in yourself. Here are some useful tips that help you to lead your employees with referent power.

Keep your promises 💪

There is nothing more off-putting than unfulfilled promises. If you say that you’ll take care of something or have a look into a problem, don’t put it in a drawer till better times. Promptly addressing your employees’ problems and getting really involved in helping to solve them is a sure way to gain respect. 

On the other hand, this can have a detrimental effect when your employees start referring to you even with minor issues. To avoid this, you should learn how to evaluate the occurring problems quickly and consider them well before saying your ‘yes.’ 

Lifehack: Try to solve problems WITH your staff and not FOR them. 

Follow the rules you set 👆

Great leaders not only know what is right to do for others but also follow the formulated rules. If you want to boost your employees’ productivity by banning the use of social networking sites, then don’t use them at work either. Put yourself in an equal position with your workers and lead them by example.

Remember that if your employees are not ready to do something, they are very likely not to. Therefore, it’s essential to set rules and discuss with your staff why it’s important. Moreover, if you deprive your employees of Facebook during working hours, there are always some more effective ways of how to organize their breaks and enhance productivity.

Lifehack: To set fair rules that will work both for your business and your employees, establish informal meetings for discussing rules and policies in your company. Let your employees speak out in a relaxed environment and be ready to listen. 

Complimenting never hurts 🗣

When your team finishes a project successfully or finds a smart way to resolve a long-pending issue, it’s vital that you recognize and celebrate the success with them. Why? If your employees feel unappreciated, they may end up resigning in the long term. 

A recent 200,000 person study shows that 79% of employees tend to quit due to a lack of appreciation of what they do. Therefore, besides constantly highlighting areas of improvement for your staff, mark their achievements as well. You can do it by evaluating their work in a positive spirit or just throwing a thank-you party after a hard day. 

Lifehack: Compliment your employees in front of other workers, though discuss their blunders in private. This way, you’ll help them to feel valued and respected in the company.

Get to know your employees 🤝

Referent power is about being sincerely interested in your employees. This means getting to know your employees and caring about what makes them tick.

A little small talk about their weekend or family can go a long way to forging a deeper relationship that will inspire your team to work harder. That way, they’ll be more likely to tell you when they are experiencing issues that may affect their work so that you can solve them together.

Lifehack: Value the person, not just the role. 

Involve active listening 👂

Practicing active listening will help you build strong referent power. Though it might seem easy, in reality, to listen and comprehend what your employees are really trying to say is a great skill. It’ll help you to better understand what issues your staff is dealing with in their work and what they need to successfully fulfill their tasks. For this, you need to:

• Stop multitasking and put aside all the gadgets when you are talking with your workers
• Maintain eye contact to make it clear that you have your full attention on the issue at hand
• Use verbal and non-verbal messages to prove that you’re listening, such as smiling, nodding your head, saying ‘Yes,’ or reformulating the statements to better understand your opponent. 

Lifehack: These techniques assure your employees that you are really involved with their issues and ready to help, making them trust you more.

Fight for your employees 🙌

The main quality of a mature leader is the ability to bear responsibility for the mistakes of their employees. You should be ready to stand up for your workers in conflict situations instead of shifting the blame on them in front of your customers. After all, you’re responsible for each employee you hire.

You will always have some time later to consider the issues that lead to a particular problem and create a plan on how to improve the situation. This attitude requires a sensible approach and shows you as a wise leader in the eyes of your colleagues. 

Lifehack: If your employees have to work in a stressful environment, give them a chance to unwind by devoting one day to relaxing and team-building time management games. 

Keep an open mind 🧠

Leaders with referent power realize that they can’t be professionals in every field. They are ready to follow their employees’ expert advice and admit that it if their ideas appear to be not as great as expected. 

Discussing your views and opinions with your employees is the most important contribution you can make to your business development. Brainstorm your employees and decide which suggestions you want to put into effect. It’ll prove that you’re ready to hear your staff’s ideas and encourage them to come up with the best ones. 

Lifehack: Make sure you give your employees plenty of opportunities to improve their group decision-making skills that are essential for effective decision-making and brainstorming new ideas.

Referent Power Wrap Up

Becoming a role model for your employees requires lots of hard work though it pays off well in the long term. Here we recap what you need to do to become a more respected and trusted leader:

• Keep your promises
• Follow the rules you set
• Praise your employees’ work
• Get to know your employees
• Involve active listening
• Fight for your employees
• Keep your mind open

We, at Everhour, hope that you’ve learned how to become an effective leader, and now you’ll inspire your teams for even more productive work and achievements!

All-in-one time management system for your team

Estimate tasks, set budgets, customize reports – direct in your project management tool.

✔️ Asana time tracking
✔️ Trello time tracking
✔️ Basecamp time tracking
✔️ Jira time tracking
✔️ GitHub time tracking
✔️ ClickUp time tracking
✔️ Monday time tracking

Featured image: IndustryWeek

The post Unlock Referent Power: Strengthen Your Leadership Skills appeared first on Everhour Blog.

Boosting productivity and efficiency have always been at the top of any businesses’ priority wishlist. In recent years, more and more companies have been experimenting with time management solutions to get the most out of their employees’ day. We recently discussed the Pomodoro technique as one such example of in-office time management.

Read more

Pomodoro Technique: Empty Promise or Effective Assistant?

But, aside from during-working-hours tricks, companies are increasingly looking at how long we work and are exploring alternatives to the traditional 5/40 working week. One of the top runners proposed is the 9/80 schedule.

What Is A 9/80 Work Schedule?

The 9/80 work schedule is a compacted work schedule taking place over a 2-week period, giving employees one extra day off by compressing work into eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day. 

By compacting the working week and adding that extra day off every 14 days, this alternative work-week schedule aims to boost productivity and efficiency while giving employees a little more time to relax. 

How Does the 9/80 Schedule Compare?

But how does this compare to a regular working week? Well, of course, what a ‘regular working week’ looks like depends on where you are in the world and your job. 

Statistics gathered by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) show that working hours across the world vary greatly, ranging from 29 to 48 working hours per week. 

Here are some of the world’s key stats:

• Lowest working hours: 116 per month – The Netherlands takes the lead in the lowest working hours, with a total of 29 on average per week. 
• Most common working weeks: 144 and 156 hours per month – Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Sweden, and Australia are the proud owners of one of the most common working hour schedules – a 36-hour week. Followed by a 39-hour week adopted as standard practice by the Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia.
• Longest working hours: 192 per month – For those workaholics looking to put in extra hours on the job, look no further than Turkey and Columbia. Workers from these two countries rack up an impressive result of 48 working hours per week on average.

So, does working less or more affect productivity?

The short answer – yes! 

It’s no secret that numerous research studies have shown that being overworked is detrimental not only to the health of your employees but also to their productivity. And this is the driving force behind the initiative to redefine the work-life balance and new experiments into the most effective work schedule.

Now, let’s look at where the 9/80 falls on that scale.

Everhour is the top choice for small businesses and small to mid-size teams of 5 to 50 members, including professionals like software developers, marketers, designers, consultants, lawyers, you name it!

Seamlessly integrating with popular project management tools like Asana, Trello, and Jira, its user-friendly interface and customizable reports make it the ultimate time tracking solution for small and mid-size teams.

With dedicated support ensuring you receive timely assistance, our team is here to help you promptly and with a smile!

What Are the Pros And Cons Of A 9/80 Work Schedule?

While the overall working time in a month is around the same as the traditional 5/40 schedule, what effect does that condensed system have? Like everything in life, there are a number of pros and cons to the 9/80 work schedule. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Pros 👍

Aims to provide a better work-life balance

Ever really needed to make a doctor or dentist’s appointment, but simply couldn’t find the time during the week, so you kept putting it off and off? Or perhaps you just needed to get some extra tasks around the house done? We’ve all been there. The 9/80 schedule allows employees that little bit of extra time to fill in the gaps and simply take care of those all-important personal tasks. 

4-day work weeks

With two 4-day work weeks per month, your employees may find themselves more motivated to get the work of 5 working days squeezed into 4, increasing levels of productivity in your business. Plus, you might just save a little on those office costs by remaining closed an extra two days per month. 

Productivity boosts

This is the cornerstone of the 9/80. By adding in those extra days off per month, employees may just have enough time to relax, get stuff done, and feel motivated to give their all to the job. Thus, increasing productivity during those office hours. 

Cons 🤔

Actual working hours aren’t that different

In general, the hours worked don’t differ significantly from the traditional 5/40 schedule meaning those benefits of working fewer hours overall don’t apply. Whether or not your employees find a condensed week effective might boil down to individual preference

You might end up paying overtime

Any adjustment to working hours can cause chaos for your company. Not only may your employees find the change challenging, but it can come with a number of legal complications as well, such as tracking and paying for overtime and calculating holiday and sick-leave payments based on the alternative working schedule. 

Employee Time Tracking – Why Is It Necessary and Even Required By Law?

Employee health and morale 

Your employees are the backbone of your company; without them, nothing is possible and your success depends on how much of their time and energy they are willing to dedicate to the work at hand. While the 9/80 schedule does provide a full two extra days off per month, those long working hours the remainder of the time could leave your staff with a lack of time to relax in the evenings leading to sleep deprivation, lack of morale, and lower performance. 

Should You Consider A 9/80 Work Schedule Option?

Now that you know a little more about the pros and cons, you’re probably wondering if the 9/80 schedule is right for your business. Here are some helpful points to help you decide:

Is the 9/80 legal in your jurisdiction and for your employees?

While we can give you specifics on this one, before making any changes to your company’s working hours, it’s always best to check on the legal implications in your region, especially if your employees can work extended days and if there are any requirements for doing so.

How should overtime be paid?

Some states require overtime to be paid based on hours per day, others on hours per week or per month. Check your local regulations first and foremost before adopting a new working schedule. This is particularly important when calculating holiday pay and sick leave.

How to Accurately Calculate Overtime Pay [Full Guide]

Is your business time-based?

Each company reacts to time management in a different manner. Some focus more on productivity and less on actual hours worked, provided the results reflect the effort. If this is your business, then 9/80 may not be for you. However, if your company requires certain business hours to fulfill its function, then a 9/80 schedule may be right up your alley in terms of productivity-boosting effectiveness.

Bonus: Will it work for your employees?

As a business owner or manager, you know your employees best – their strengths and weaknesses, most productive hours, and, of course, those tell-tale signs of poor time management. Deciding to change working hours is the individual decision of any company, so take into account your company’s needs and those of your actual employees. 

How Can Everhour Help You Implement a 9/80 Work Schedule Effectively?

If you’ve decided that a 9/80 schedule is the way forward – good for you! While we can’t guarantee success, we commend you for taking the first step into developing your business. So, what comes next?

First, after you’ve got your team on board, you’ll need to know if the changes you’re making are effective and what better way to do that than with metrics. Markers such as productivity and time tracking are useful in seeing how your employees’ performance has been affected.

At Everhour, time tracking is our bread and butter, so when you need help checking up on those new worked hours and how they were used, we’re on hand to provide you with some of the most effective time and attendance software out there.

It’s not just our opinion. Here’s what our customers have to say. As an alternative, you can also use this handy and FREE timesheet and timecard templates to get you and your staff on track and help with the transition. 

By tracking time and work done, you’ll be able to see over time how effective your changes were and if you need to consider reverting to the traditional 5/40 schedule or seeking a new alternative to meet your needs. We wish you luck in your new work scheduling adventure! And don’t forget to check out the best productivity apps and the best time management apps out there!

The post Exploring the 9-80 Work Schedule: How It Can Improve Work-Life Balance appeared first on Everhour Blog.

In this article, we will learn what Monroe’s motivated sequence is and what best techniques you can use to develop the art of giving public speeches.

​What is Monroe’s Motivated Sequence?

Alan Monroe, a professor at Purdue University, used the psychology of persuasion to develop an outline for making speeches. This system helps to deliver the best public presentations that motivate people to act. It’s now known as Monroe’s Motivated Sequence outline.

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence finds application in various real-world scenarios. It helps to organize and structure speeches, making them clear and ensuring their point hits home. The implementation of the elements of persuasion psychology, keeps the audience focused and inspired to act. That’s why Monroe’s motivated sequence outline is so effective. Its five key stages include attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and call to action.

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Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Steps

Let’s dive right in and have a look at the five steps of Monroe’s motivated sequence that you need to follow to get your speeches to work.

Step 1: Grab attention

Getting listeners’ attention may seem challenging. However, it’s a chance to make a solid foundation for your speech. If you grab your audience’s attention at the start, they are more likely to listen to you till the end. 

Use your imagination here. You’re basically looking for a way to get your audience to sit up and pay attention. Make your listeners realize that you have something fascinating to say. In general, people have very short attention spans. Once you have their attention you need to move on quickly.

Identify with your listeners

Begin your presentation with a story related to your topic, tell a dramatic tale, pose a question, make a shocking statement, use a historical fact… This will work as a great ice-breaker, relieving your inner tension and helping you capture listeners’ interest.

Make your audience trust you

Tell them why the topic is interesting to them. State clear and practical purposes, so people will know what to expect. Raise curiosity by asking questions or sharing unexpected facts related to the topic. 

Show authority and reputation

Make yourself more credible by sharing a set of reliable statistics or mentioning that you’ve investigated the topic thoroughly before. Add some visual content to your presentation, such as videos, charts, and images, as well as solid statistics. This will show that you’re well-prepared and ready to teach your listeners about the issue.

Step 2: Define the need

At this stage, you need to raise awareness of the problem you’re presenting. Don’t suggest any solutions in this step. Use this part to help people understand that there is a problem and that the challenge needs to be undertaken.

Elaborate the issue

Explain the way things work right now and that this needs to change. Show the consequences of keeping the issue as it is right now. At the same time, there is no need to increase tension or invoke panic. It’ll seem unrealistic. Just support your topic. Use reliable information, such as statistical data and evidence from the people involved. At this point, the visual data prepared in advance will be your most valuable asset.

Make it urgent

Imply the idea of time limits. Using statistics, make your audience realize how important the topic is and that it requires determined action right now. Show the dynamics of the issue becoming worse, explain if the consequences are irreversible or not. 

Highlight how it affects your listeners

Your audience may be concerned about a lot of issues around the world but never take action. This is mainly because these issues aren’t directly related to your listeners. Demonstrate how the problem affects each person in the room. Make your listeners accumulate tension until they feel the need to resolve the issue themselves.

Step 3: Satisfy the need

When you see that the audience is ready for action, it’s time to show them the way. Here you need to provide your solution. It should be concise, simple to follow, and easily understood by every listener. 

Present your idea in detail

Formulate your position and provide your solution. Divide your proposal into simple steps and clearly state what you want your listeners to do, believe, or understand.

Provide examples and summarize the idea

Find some fitting examples that demonstrate how your solution should work. Charts and statistics will also add to your arguments. Think of how your solution could benefit your audience and remember to include this information into your presentation.

Suggest your idea for discussion

You need to be prepared for possible questions and have a few counterarguments in your back pocket to show that your solution works. Fear no question. Instead, take the interest as a positive sign that your audience is listening.

Step 4: Visualize the future

At this point, you present to your audience what will the future be like if they implement or refuse your solution. You can do it using the following methods:

Positive attitude

Emphasis should be on the positive sides of your plan’s realization. Explain to your listeners how good the future will be if they agree to follow your idea.

Negative attitude

The focus should be on the negative consequences if your plan is rejected. Explain to your audience how bad the future will be if they reject your solution.

Contrast

This is used to compare positive and negative attitudes. First, start with a negative scenario and after contrast it with a positive one. Make the contrast vivid and feasible. Your listeners should feel that your solution is the only and best choice out there. 

Step 5: Actualization

At the end of your speech, your listeners shouldn’t feel overwhelmed with information. It’s important to concisely summarize and propose steps of action to your audience. 

1. Tell your listeners exactly what steps they need to take to resolve the issue.
2. Explain to your listeners which tools they have to address the problem.
3. Invite your listeners to ask you additional questions.

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Outline Examples

Many public speakers, vendors, CEOs, students, and those who want to succeed in giving presentations, in general, employ Monroe’s motivated sequence speech technique to ensure that when they talk, they hit the mark. For example, almost every TED talk presentation is built with Monroe’s Motivated Sequence to engage fully with the audience. That’s why they’re so popular. It’s the science of public speaking. 

Let’s take a look at this example here and analyze it.

Melissa Marshall, communications teacher and faculty member of the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State University, clearly follows Monroe’s motivated sequence outline.

Here’s the outline of Monroe’s motivated sequence example:

1. Grab attention. Melissa identifies herself with the audience by saying that she felt scared when teaching nerdy guys communication skills. Most of us would feel scared taking on a responsible task. Also, she wittily uses the allegory of Alice in Wonderland, talking about the hidden and fascinating world of science she discovered.
2. Define the need. The speaker talks about the importance of developing great communication skills for scientists and engineers so that they will be able to share their ideas with regular people.
3. Satisfy the need. Melissa explains the steps on how to boost communication and story-telling skills by avoiding jargon, giving simple comparisons, and avoiding bullet points in presentations.
4. Visualize the future. The speaker explains how beneficial it’ll be for scientists and engineers to obtain communication skills as they will be able to share their ideas with a greater audience.
5. Actualization. Melissa wraps up her topic with a simple formula: (science – (jargon + bullets) / relevance) x passion ) that can be easily implemented in practice by nerdy guys.

That’s it!

Now, think, what in this speech made you want to act? Pinpoint that and you’ll know what to aim for in your next big talk.

Remember, Monroe’s motivated sequence outline isn’t just for conference presentations. You can use it for your daily office work to make great and persuasive speeches during meetings or giving presentations. 

What Else Do You Need For a Good Presentation

Monroe’s motivated sequence outline will form a strong foundation for your speech, but what else will help drive the point home? Here are some additional tips on how to prepare beforehand and what to do after your presentation:

Stay motivated 😌

Many of us often feel that the most unpleasant tasks should be done last. Creating speeches may be one of them. They require lots of preparation and, something scary, talking in front of people. Don’t fall into this common misconception! Start preparing early and you’ll be more likely to have success. We’ve gathered the most effective tips on how to stay productive and motivated here. 

Keep your time 🕒

Use special time tracking software that is easily integrated into your daily apps. They will help arrange, monitor, and devote working time evenly through working processes. This allows you to prepare well-designed and thoroughly-considered speeches that will win over your audience.

Consider the best time for your presentation 🌇

Timing is essential for your speech just like in the workflow process. Think when most of your colleagues can spare some time to see your presentation. A simple time tracker can help you match your co-workers’ schedules to arrange your meeting at the best time. 

Use diagrams, flowcharts and mind maps 📈

Structure your speech and highlight the most important parts of your presentation. Never read your speech from a sheet, use cards or diagrams to see the key points you’re going to talk about. This will make your presentation more vivid and show that you know the subject well.

Release tension 🧘

Balance your working time and time-off. It’s important to rest enough before writing your speech as it’s a creative process and the best ideas hit fresh brains. Measure your productivity and stay creative at work to produce inspirational ideas and presentations.

Keep track of the goals set during your presentation ✅

Monitoring task fulfillment after your presentation gives you valuable data on how well the project is moving forward. A good estimation is important! You can present the information gathered in the form of statistics at the next meeting, showing the progress of the project and your contribution to it.

That’s a Wrap for Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Outline

Knowing how to best utilize Monroe’s motivated sequence outline to create great speeches is step 1 for anyone who wants to influence people, have the ability to persuade and upgrade their employability potential. It’s an essential skill for all successful business people, no matter the field.

Although not all people possess the skill of public speaking, it’s possible to develop and maintain it. What’s needed is practice, some knowledge of specialized techniques, such as Monroe’s motivated sequence outline, and more practice.

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