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The way we work is rapidly evolving, and the use of productivity apps is at the forefront of this change. As technology continues to advance, it is changing the way we work, communicate, and collaborate with one another. According to a survey by FlexJobs, remote work has increased by 159% since 2005, and it’s expected to continue to grow in the future.
The rise of smart working through productivity apps is providing employees with the tools they need to be productive and efficient, no matter where they are located. This blog will explore the future of work and how productivity apps are enabling smart working by providing examples of successful implementations and statistics on the impact of these apps on the modern workplace. We will also discuss some of the challenges associated with using productivity apps and offer tips for overcoming these challenges.
The future of work
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically accelerated the shift towards remote work, with millions of workers around the world forced to work from home. According to a report by Gartner Inc., remote work is set to become the new normal, with 48% of employees expected to work remotely at least part of the time after the pandemic ends. This trend is expected to continue, with the number of remote workers set to increase by 30% by 2030, according to a report by Upwork.
The rise of productivity apps
As more and more workers embrace remote work, productivity apps are becoming an essential part of the modern workplace. These apps boost teamwork and team communication, manage tasks, and track their progress in real-time, from anywhere in the world. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global productivity software market is expected to reach $102.96 billion by 2027, driven by the increasing demand for remote work and collaboration tools.
Examples of productivity apps
There are many different types of productivity apps available on the market, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Here are some examples:
Communication apps:
These apps allow teams to communicate with each other in real time, whether through instant messaging, video conferencing, or voice calls. Examples include Clariti, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.
Project management apps:
These apps allow teams to collaborate on projects, assign tasks, and track progress in real-time. Examples include Asana, Trello, and Monday.com.
Time tracking apps:
These apps allow workers to track their time, manage their schedules, and ensure that they are meeting their deadlines. Examples include Toggl, Harvest, and RescueTime.
File sharing apps:
These apps allow teams to share files, documents, and other resources in real-time, ensuring that everyone has access to the latest information. Examples include Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
Virtual meeting apps:
These apps boost teamwork and team communication through virtual meetings, whether one-on-one or with large groups of people. Examples include Skype, Google Meet, and Webex.
Benefits of productivity apps
There are many benefits to using productivity apps in the workplace. Here are some examples:
Increased efficiency
By streamlining workflows and automating repetitive tasks, productivity apps can help workers complete their tasks more quickly and efficiently.
Improved collaboration
By allowing teamwork in real-time, productivity apps can improve collaboration and team communication between members.
Greater flexibility
By enabling remote work and virtual collaboration, productivity apps can give workers greater flexibility in how and where they work.
Better time management
By allowing workers to track their time and manage their schedules more effectively, productivity apps can help workers stay on top of their tasks and meet their deadlines.
Enhanced productivity
By increasing efficiency, improving collaboration, and enabling better time management, productivity apps can ultimately lead to increased productivity and better results.
Challenges of using Productivity apps
While productivity apps offer many benefits, there are also some challenges to using them in the workplace. Here are some examples:
Resistance to change
While productivity apps are designed to make teamwork easier, some employees may be resistant to using them. This can be due to a lack of understanding of how the app works, fear of change, or a preference for traditional methods of working. In such cases, it is important for companies to provide adequate training and support for their employees to make the transition to using productivity apps smoother.
Information overload
Productivity apps can generate a lot of data, which can be overwhelming for employees. Too much information can lead to confusion and decreased productivity. To avoid this, companies need to ensure that their employees are trained on how to effectively use the app and filter out unnecessary data.
Cost
While there are many productivity apps available, some of them can be quite expensive for companies, especially for small businesses. It is important for companies to research and select apps that are affordable and offer the most value for their money.
Security concerns
With the increased use of technology comes the risk of security breaches. Productivity apps can store sensitive company data, which makes them a target for cyberattacks. Companies need to ensure that the productivity app they choose has the necessary security measures in place to protect their data.
Compatibility issues
Another challenge with using productivity apps is the issue of compatibility. Not all apps are compatible with different operating systems, devices, or software versions. This can lead to problems when trying to collaborate with team members who may be using different devices or software.
It can also create issues when trying to integrate productivity apps with other tools and systems. Companies must ensure that the productivity apps they choose are compatible with their existing tools and systems to avoid any issues with integration and collaboration. This can be done by conducting thorough research and testing before implementing the app.
Despite these challenges, the use of productivity apps in the workplace is expected to continue to rise in the coming years. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global productivity software market is projected to reach $96.4 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 14.6% from 2020 to 2025.
The future of work is also expected to be increasingly focused on smart working, which refers to the use of technology to enable remote work and flexible working hours. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many companies to adopt remote work, there has been a surge in the use of productivity apps to enable remote collaboration and communication among team members.
Productivity cum team communication apps such as Trello, Asana, and Clariti have become increasingly popular among remote teams, allowing them to communicate in real time, share files, and track progress on projects.
The rise of smart-working and productivity apps has also led to the emergence of the gig economy, where individuals work on a freelance or contract basis rather than as full-time employees. This trend is expected to continue, with a report by Intuit predicting that by 2020, 40% of American workers will be freelancers.
Conclusion
The future of work is set to be increasingly focused on smart working and the use of productivity apps to enable remote collaboration and communication. While there are challenges associated with using productivity apps, such as resistance to change and information overload, the benefits of increased productivity, efficiency, and flexibility are too significant to ignore.
Companies need to carefully consider the challenges and benefits of using productivity apps and select the ones that are best suited to their needs. With the right apps and support, productivity apps can be a valuable tool for companies to improve their operations and stay competitive in an ever-changing business landscape.
