Managing a small business may differ from keeping a large enterprise running smoothly, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a challenging endeavor. After all, both types of businesses face a lot of the same hurdles day in and day out -- piles of emails, meetings, phone calls, project deadlines all vie for undivided attention. If you don’t have a clear grasp on how to stay productive, a small business’ day-to-day can get overwhelming real fast.
Productivity isn’t just about ticking off tasks on a checklist though. Sure, that’s the end goal -- work hard and you’ll get there. But productivity guru Tim Ferriss says it best: “As a business owner, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of being busy, and being busy is not necessarily productive.” Working hard doesn’t always mean you’re working smart.
This is why, as a small business, it’s important for you to get the right tools that will help you produce the most results in the least time-consuming way possible. Time is one of the most valuable resources you have, so shaving off precious seconds by breezing through mundane tasks can help you improve productivity. Thankfully, there are tons of tools out there perfect for small businesses. From project and social media management tools, to clever invoicing software, here are some of the best productivity tools in today’s market.