Low productivity can be a massive obstacle to growing your business. Luckily, there are many ways to solve this problem.

Many people struggle to finish the task at hand. No matter how long they've been in the business, productivity seems to evade them regularly. 
And this probably happens to you, too, even if you're an experienced business owner. 
Your to-do list is long… but you can’t focus when you try to get down to work. 
You try to concentrate… but you can't make any headway. 
You might have been doing something all day… but none of your tasks are finished. 
Simply put, you've been busy but not productive. 
Luckily, there are many methods to get out of the slump. You need to work on your productivity, and this article will provide some of the best ways to do so. 

7 METHODS TO BOOST PRODUCTIVITY
METHOD #1. IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS
​When you have many obligations, you can easily get overwhelmed by the sheer number. As a result, you end up sitting idle and unable to do anything.
Instead of tackling many things at once, choose the most important task. Hone in on it, and don't let anything else distract you. Your mission should be to complete the job to make your day successful.
Once it's out of the way, you'll get a powerful sense of accomplishment that will drive you to keep going.

METHOD #2. DON'T FORGET THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SLEEP
​One of the main reasons affecting your productivity is a potential lack of sleep. Working while feeling sleepy is counterproductive, and the only way to combat it is through this:
Get some sleep. 
Experts recommend getting at least seven hours of sleep every night to improve workplace productivity. It lets you wake up fresh and ready to take on your office assignments. 
Furthermore, avoid going to work as soon as you get out of bed. Prepare yourself mentally for about half an hour before starting your workday. 
You should also figure out your ideal bedtime. Most people go to sleep early and wake up early, but that may not be effective for you. You'll need to determine the most suitable timing.

METHOD #3. GIVE INTELLIGENT PLANNING A SHOT
Intelligent planning teaches you how to boost productivity by enhancing your time management. Research suggests your working intervals shouldn't last more than 1.5 hours. Rest periods should be distributed between, allowing you to recharge your batteries. 
That said, trying to leave work early might be tempting, but it's usually counterproductive. You skip your rest time, and job quality plummets. 
To remain productive and focused throughout the day, clear your mind by doing exercises. They can improve your performance while benefiting your mental and physical health massively. 
Some of your best options include yoga and a short gym session. They help reset your brain and fill you with positive energy to help you handle the rest of your workload. 

METHOD #4. GET RID OF DISTRACTIONS
Another great way to increase productivity is to weed out distractions, such as chatting with your team members and surfing the web. The urge might be strong, but you'll need to resist it to enhance your workplace efficiency. 
To do so, turn off computer and smartphone notifications. You may still encounter some interruptions, but they won't be caused by social media or other trifles.

METHOD #5. DO THE MOST CHALLENGING TASKS FIRST
Most productive days start by taking care of the most difficult task first. 
You're at your best in the morning, which is the perfect time to address the biggest problem for the day. It’s during this period where your mental energy surges and you're more likely to produce innovative ideas to solve tough challenges.
After tackling the most complex tasks, the rest of the day will be much easier. You'll be left with routine activities (e.g. checking and answering emails) that require no creative efforts.

METHOD #6. DON'T WORK WITHOUT A BREAK
This might sound counterproductive, but you need to take breaks during your workday. Remember, you're not a machine that can work non-stop and produce impressive results. And if you try to be like one, your productivity is bound to plunge. 
To avoid mental exhaustion and productivity lapses, get up from the desk and stop working for a couple of minutes.
As previously mentioned, you can perform a few exercises to refresh your energy. Another option is to have a cup of coffee or go for a walk. You should return more focused and ready to complete your tasks. 
But don't go overboard with your breaks. Try to limit them to about 30 minutes and avoid watching YouTube or going to entertaining websites. It can lead to further procrastination and less productivity.

METHOD #7. LEARN TO DELEGATE
Everyone needs help, even the most skilled business owner. 
So, delegating your assignments should be a staple of your workday, as it helps you save time and remain productive. Best of all, it allows you to focus on complex duties that can make or break your business. 
The easiest way to delegate duties is to assign them to trustworthy team members. 
After entrusting your responsibilities, don't supervise your workers closely. Otherwise, you may start micromanaging them, which may cripple their motivation and confidence. 
Instead, provide your employees with all resources necessary to complete the task and let them work in peace. If possible, teach them how to automate the assignment using modern technology. 
Again, this can help take your productivity to new heights by enabling you to deal with essential duties only. 

DON'T LET YOUR WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE SUFFER
Running a company is satisfying, but you need to perform consistently to obtain the best results. Hence, your productivity should remain high, and we've given you the seven best ways to increase it.
The key takeaway is to eliminate distractions, take appropriate breaks, and tackle the most daunting tasks early. Don't forget to allocate some of your workload to your team members and get a good night's sleep to keep a sharp focus.

The reality is, mobile devices are less safe than desktop computers. Boosting security on such devices is essential if you use them in business. 

Technological breakthroughs have streamlined your operations in several ways. Primarily, you can now use mobile devices to make your communication and data sharing more convenient.
But this technological advancement also means that information on your team members' mobile devices is no longer limited to just phone numbers and contacts. They now contain much more significant data, such as emails, passwords, and other account details. 
That’s why keeping those mobile devices secure is key to shielding your reputation and minimising the risk of losing money. 
Unfortunately, the protection of tablets and smartphones against cyberattacks isn't as robust as that of desktops and laptops. Anti-malware applications may be present, but they’re not as powerful as their computer counterparts. In addition, many devices don't support certain measures and applications that companies develop to enhance business security. 
Fortunately, you can still implement robust safety measures to protect your smartphones and tablets. 
This article will cover the nine best practices in improving cybersecurity on mobile devices.

THE NINE PRACTICES
PRACTICE #1 - ESTABLISH A SOUND SECURITY POLICY
Before issuing tablets or smartphones to your teams, create an effective usage policy. Define rules about acceptable use and determine the penalties for violating them. 
Your employees must be aware of the security risks and measures that can help them reduce the risks. They should know that they are the first line of defence against cybercrime. 
Furthermore, be sure to develop a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy if you permit your team to use a personal device for business. Your company policy can include the following: 

• Requirements for the installation and remote software wiping on any personal device that stores or accesses company data
• Employee training and education on safeguarding company information when using wireless networks on their mobile devices
• Data protection methods that include automatic locking or other security measures applicable after long inactivity periods
• Protocols for lost and stolen devices 
• The use of security software and antivirus platforms 
• Backup requirements 

PRACTICE #2 - ENSURE THE OPERATING SYSTEM IS UP TO DATE
Updating Android and iOS operating systems improve overall user experience, but their most significant role is in addressing security vulnerabilities. 
Therefore, install updates as soon as the developer rolls them out to reduce exposure to cybersecurity threats. Delaying it may give criminals enough time to attack your weaknesses and take advantage of outdated operating systems.

PRACTICE #3 - ENABLE PASSWORD PROTECTION
A complex password or PIN can help prevent cybercriminals from accessing mobile devices. Besides using alphanumeric combinations, you can also use facial or fingerprint recognition, depending on what suits your employees. 
If you opt for digits and letters, don't share the combination with people outside your company. On top of that, be sure that your staff doesn't store them on their phones. Unmarked folders and physical wallets are a much safer option. 

PRACTICE #5 - AVOID PUBLIC WI-FI CONNECTIONS
Your team may need to use public Wi-Fi networks in emergencies to send crucial emails or schedule a meeting. However, connecting to such networks can expose confidential company information to cybercriminals using the same network. 
The easiest way to minimise this risk is to provide a high-quality internet plan that features roaming services for your remote workers. 
But if there's no way to avoid public Wi-Fi connections, a reputable virtual private network (VPN) or secure global network (SGN) may do the trick. It can help shield your data by creating direct, secure links from your location to the intended website. 

PRACTICE #6 - LEVERAGE PHONE TRACKING
Losing company-issued mobile devices is unfortunate, but it's not the end of the world. 
Enabling Android Phone Tracker, Find My Phone on iOS, or other device-tracking software can help locate your lost smartphones. Some programs also enable you to remove data on your stolen devices remotely. 
Installing these apps takes a couple of minutes and gives you much-needed peace of mind. With it, even if your staff loses their mobile device, cybercriminals are less likely to get their hands on the content. 

PRACTICE #7 - INCORPORATE MDM (MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE) 
For even more security, you may want to integrate with reliable MDM. It's an excellent way to separate personal and business information while allowing your team members to set up robust security measures on their devices. 
In most cases, cloud-based software is the most affordable, flexible, and manageable type of MDM. Many platforms let you check out device information, update and manage apps, configure your devices, create usage restrictions, and remove content remotely. 
If possible, implement MDM software that enforces security measures across all devices. As previously mentioned, this can include data encryption, strong passwords, and setting up containers to separate personal information from enterprise data. 

PRACTICE #8 - SCREEN MESSAGES CAREFULLY
Cybercriminals frequently employ SMS phishing to trick your team into clicking dangerous links. They pose as someone credible, asking your staff to share confidential information. 
If your employees encounter such messages, they should delete them or alert the IT department. Another great idea is to avoid opening the SMS and block the sender. 

PRACTICE #9 - BLOCKING AND WHITELISTING
Many threats can compromise your company due to employee errors. For example, a team member may not realize they're downloading a malicious app that allows thieves to steal data from their mobile devices.
Blocking and whitelisting can enable you to protect your employees from these risks by determining which sites and apps are safe. 
On one hand, blocking certain applications can give your IT department peace of mind and alert them when someone tries to access those applications.
On the other hand, whitelists can work great for highlighting the tools your team should prioritize over social media and games. 

DON'T DROP YOUR GUARD
Securing your desktop computers and laptops only is a disaster waiting to happen. 
Your employees may still use their mobile devices to send emails and share sensitive information. That's why shielding them from cybercriminals should be your top priority. 
So, develop a strict usage policy and follow other recommended practices to make your team’s smartphones and tablets virtually impervious to data theft. 
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Get in touch with us today for even more cybersecurity tips. If this is something that you would like to discuss with us further then please feel free to contact us.

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