KEY Heroes
Request a Quote

Free Ground Shipping on orders over $500

1
2

Finding that Elusive Extra Hour

 

You're not alone.
Everyone is being asked to do more with less.
In an extended effort to save time RIGHT NOW, we'll dispense with the introduction and immediately offer three ways you can effectively gain some of your precious hours back in your day.

Let's do this!

Focused icon

1. Get Focused
For some people, getting a lot done means multi-tasking. But many studies have shown that multitasking can actually create cause more problems than it solves. One study actually found that only 2.5% of the general population can manage to multitask. (SOURCE: Science Shows Multitasking Doesn’t Work.)

 

When you're clear about your tasks at hand, you need 100% focus. Consider employing these helpful tactics and watch your productivity soar:
- turn your mobile phone off or set it to do not disturb
- close the email tab on your browser
- silence Slack or messaging channels
- route your office phone to voicemail

Being available on multiple communication channels is part of everyone's job, but setting an allotted time in which these are muted, carves out the space for focus. But even with no distractions, the human brain often needs a nudge. People who report setting a timer for a task enjoy greater productivity.

The Pomodoro Technique (link: 

 

Pomodoro Technique) is a productivity methodology that uses a timer to break down work into intervals, typically 25 minutes in length, followed by short breaks.

 

BONUS TIP: When setting the timer, watch the first few seconds of the countdown. (visual: 24:59...24:58...24:57) This will trigger your brain to process the urgency of the project at hand as time is ticking down.

Automated icon

2. Get Automated
Stop doing repetitive work and leave your quality time for quality output. Automation services are now an integral part of so many software platforms and apps, but the processes are often underutilized. That largely happens because people need to stop and consider what tasks are truly wasting their time. If you're not clear on how time is slipping out of your or your team's hands, consider using a time tracking software like Toggl. Commit to 100% time tracking for a specified period of time. Review the report either for your individual education or as a team. You may be surprised with what tasks are actually the biggest drain on your time.

 

Once you have this knowledge, you can set about automating things that are taking up too much of this precious commodity of time. Consider employing free versions of helpful technology like:
- IFTTT

This service connects different apps and devices to interact based on pre-programmed logic. The name comes from the phrase, "if this, then that".

 

- Process Street

This service lets you create templates for workflows so you're not re-creating the wheel every time you need to take the team out for a drive.

 

- Google Alerts

Quit wasting time scouring the internet for news to keep you up to date in your industry. Set meaningful alerts, including phrases related to relevant competitors.

 

- Inbox Automation

Everyone is inundated with emails. But taking the time to train your inbox to deal with specific messages can be a major time saver. In the case of Google Alerts, be sure to map any incoming messages to a specific inbox entitled Google Alerts. That way, when you're ready to catch up on the news you know where the emails are pooled but they are not cluttering your inbox or interrupting your daily work.

 

-Employ Bots

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a virtual workforce multiplier of your existing human workforce. Businesses can more effectively scale by employing bots to handle repetitive tasks that either take up too much time or simply bore employees.

Get Streamlined icon

3. Get Streamlined

Searching for a new vendor with each new project can be a waste of time. Often, in teams, certain members maintain relationships with particular vendors. Over time, the lack of sharing vendors means that individuals spend time looking for a source for a product or service only to find out later someone else on the team had a better option or could have shortened the time involved in making the purchase.

Whether you're on your own or you need to gather a team to contribute, find one place on your server, shared doc, or desktop file where all vendor names, contacts and services can be listed. While this list is being complied be sure to have everyone weigh in on the quality of services received from these vendors. Setting an internal rating system will help you determine if using this vendor again is advisable. This has the potential to save time, money and hassle in the future. Questions to ask include:


- What else does this vendor provide?
- Does this vendor offer one-point of contact service for a better customer experience?
- Does this vendor offer automatic replenishment services or store information for ease for repeat orders?
- Does this vendor waive shipping or other charges based on volume orders?


Develop your internal rating system based on things that matter to you, your team and your process.

Keep in mind that managing vendors can be time-consuming. Multiple vendors mean multiple contacts and exponential emails. Consider whittling down the list of vendors where there is overlap. Taking the time to organize and streamline your vendor list when you're not in a rush to source materials or services can provide a productivity boost in the future.

At KEY for Business, we know that sourcing all of your custom business apparel can take valuable time out of your day. That's why were committed to providing fast, friendly and reliable service with these key time-saving features:


- one point of contact for ordering
- easy repeat ordering process
- no charge for embroidering set up
- shipping charges waived with small minimum order
- available rush services

 

Whether you're planning a trade show and need your team to look their best, or need branded merchandise for clients; want to offer employees quality business apparel at a discount, or need to source hi-vis or fire-resistant safety gear for worker outside of the office environment, KEY for Business has it all.

Ready to get started?

We're ready to help.

SHOP NOW
GET A QUOTE
Your cart is empty
Search