Mike Vardy's Blog, page 38

Is Your Business As Productive As It Could Be?

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When you’re running a business, you need to ask yourself tough questions. I’ve shared one of those tough questions with you in the title of this article.

So ask yourself: Is your business as productive as it could be?

Productivity is crucial for businesses looking to increase sales, impress customers, and maximize profits. If your company isn’t as productive as it could be, there are several steps you can take to make a positive difference. In this piece, I’ll take a closer look at some effective strategies to boost productivity.

Investing in technology

Technology has never been more influential in the world of business. The vast majority of businesses rely on technology. Especially in recent months – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – tech has played a more integral role than ever before.

Technology has many benefits. It accelerates and streamlines processes. It reduces the risk of errors and mistakes. Plus, it saves time and money. You can also utilize technology to enhance the customer experience and capitalize on emerging consumer trends.

For example, recently there has been a spike in online sales. Selling online has enabled many businesses to stay afloat while traditional “brick and mortar” stores have been closed. Using technology has also enabled those that have reopened to provide a safe experience for clients. If you run a restaurant or a hotel, for example, you can create QR code features to enable customers to check-in virtually or browse contactless menus.

If you’re keen to grow your business – or you’re worried that you’re lagging behind competitors – it’s worth carrying out a tech audit and exploring investments and innovations that could be beneficial for your company. 

Promoting cohesion and collaboration

Teamwork is essential for high productivity levels across several sectors. If morale is low – or there’s a lack of collaboration – output will fall, and there’s a risk that employees might look for opportunities to leave.

As an employer, it’s incredibly beneficial to prioritize mental well-being and morale. You also must ensure your employees have access to the resources, tools, and equipment they need to work together. This is particularly important at a time when many teams are working from home. 

Encourage socialization, invest in tools and software that facilitate seamless group work and try to inject an element of fun into the working week. Schedule time to chat with employees and invite people to share ideas, thoughts, or concerns. 

Planning and setting goals

Planning ahead is always beneficial in business. To boost productivity, it’s helpful to outline clear objectives and to set individual and group goals so that everyone knows what they are doing. It’ll also let them know what they are working towards.

Make sure that any targets you set are ambitious but realistic. You’ll also want to encourage communication to check that projects are running smoothly and ensure employees feel able to ask questions or raise queries. If you have clear plans, you work methodically, and you meet to discuss your progress on a regular basis, you should find that productivity levels rise. 

All aspiring entrepreneurs dream of running a productive, profitable business. If you’re looking to boost productivity, consider investing in new technology, take steps to champion collaboration and cooperation, plan ahead, and set goals. Being more productive can affect your business on multiple levels. It’ll enhance your reputation, help drive sales, improve employee morale, and – ultimately – increase profits.

The post Is Your Business As Productive As It Could Be? appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 331: It’s Time to Slow Things Down

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On this solo episode of the podcast, I talk about the importance of slowing things down and how that can make your productivity even better than before.

(Make sure you take part in the short experiment I start at the 8:06 mark of the episode, okay?)

Helpful Links



Carl Honoré: The Power of SlowThe Speed of RightWhy You Need to Slow Down

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 331: It’s Time to Slow Things Down appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 330: Making Time For What Matters with John Zeratsky

Since the early 00s boom in productivity optimization, today’s guest John Zeratsky has seen how much our relationship with time has evolved. As a writer and speaker, John is on a mission to help people make time for what matters.

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How do you manage your time? There’s no one-size-fits-all tactic, but John Zeratsky‘s latest book ‘Make Time’ runs through tried and tested approaches for us to cherry pick, so I was super excited to catch up with him and run through some of these exercises. Tune in as we discuss reflection time, the power of default settings and breaking bad habits with friction.

This episode is sponsored by  LinkedIn Talent Solutions . When your business is ready to make that next hire, LinkedIn Jobs can help by matching your role with qualified candidates so that you can find the right person quickly. You can pay what you want and get the first $50 off. Just visit  linkedin.com/timecrafting  to get fifty dollars off your first job post. Terms and conditions apply.

John’s quest for mastering time management was born from his career in design, web development and copywriting. He’s worked with numerous startups including Netflix, Slack, Airbnb, Uber, 23andMe and Medium, and his writing has appeared in publications like Wall Street Journal, Wired and Fast Company. 

Talking Points



How he formed his partnership with Jake Knapp and where their fascination of time came from (1:01)Making everything in the book simple and doable (6:58) Approaching work as a designer (8:24)Distinction between simple and easy (12:10)The role of friction and how it breaks habits (22:09)What ground hogging means to John (23:53)What is a time crater and what are the time craters John struggles with? (30:52)Taking caffeine naps to boost energy (34:41)The first productivity app John ever used (37:42)

“When it comes to our own time, this finite precious resource that we have, we don’t often look back and say, what did I really do today?“

– John Zeratsky

Helpful Links



Make Time | AmazonJake KnappTime DorksGoogle VenturesDesign Sprint ProcessDesign Sprint | AmazonGetting Things Done | AmazonEpisode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David AllenEpisode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal NewportSleep Cycle43 FoldersIndistractable | AmazonPhilips Wake Up Alarm ClockAustin Kleon’s caffeine napMori AppTeuxDeuxMakeTime.blog

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 330: Making Time For What Matters with John Zeratsky appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 329: This Amazing Adventure Called Life with Lex Latkovski

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I usually alternate between interviews and solo episodes, but I decided to mix things up a bit this time around. Why? Because this conversation with Lex Latkovski is one I’ve wanted to get out into the world for a while now. And I felt that there was no better time than now to do so.

Lex’s mission is to have you to laugh and see the world and your life as an endless source of adventure and opportunity. He wants you to live a fulfilled life with no regrets – and to chase your dreams while you can.

Lex’s work is featured over at The Lexpedition and he’s the author of Passport Forward: Moving from Regrets and Routine to Freedom, Passion, and Adventure. He’s also a serial traveler and adventure seeker – something that isn’t as easy to make happen in 2020. Nonetheless, Lex’s message and sense of vitality were on full display during our conversation. I hope you enjoy it and it helps you – even in some small way – get more out of this amazing adventure called life!

Talking Points



Lex shares a bit about himself, our common acquaintances, and what drives him (2:54)Lex talks about what it took (and what kept him going) during his time as a zen monk (4:34)What happened when Lex was at that retreat that made him realize he wanted to do this full time? (6:54)Lex shares his thoughts on routines (8:48)Did Lex have people by his side supporting him through this process? (10:53)How does Lex deal with people who are negative in his life? (12:28)Lex talks about the experience of writing his book (15:38)Who are some of the authors that Lex has read that inspire him? (18:03)What is one thing someone can do to start this whole process? And what is one thing Lex did that he found surprisingly beneficial? (23:28)

“Put it out there, instead of keeping it a secret.“

– Lex Latkovski

Helpful Links



The LexpeditionAndy TraubEpisode 148: Real Artists Don’t Starve with Jeff GoinsPassport Forward: Moving from Regrets and Routine to Freedom, Passion, and Adventure

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 329: This Amazing Adventure Called Life with Lex Latkovski appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 328: Being Brutally Honest with Peter Kozodoy

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Today’s guest, Peter Kozodoy, has seen time and again how much transparency and honesty in our work and personal lives lead to lasting results. Peter is an Inc. 5000 entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author of Honest to Greatness.

This episode is sponsored by  Fundrise . Fundrise is an investing platform that makes investing in high-quality, high-potential real estate as easy as investing in your favourite stock or mutual fund. Whether you’re looking to add stable cash flow via dividends or prefer long-term growth through appreciation, Fundrise has you covered. Fundrise’s team of real estate professionals carefully vets and actively manages all of their real estate projects. And with their easy-to-use website you can track your portfolio’s performance and watch as properties across the country are acquired, improved, and operated via asset updates. Want to get started? All you need to is visit fundrise.com/timecrafting  to do that… and when you do you’ll have your first NINETY days of advisory fees waived. Start building your better portfolio with Fundrise today!

Honesty is a soft skill we need to master and bring to the forefront if we want to make impactful change. Peter has worked closely with many successful leaders from Fortune 500s, startups to Warren Buffett. So I was really excited to have Peter on the show to unpick some true gems from his new book Honest to Greatness. 

Tune in as we uncover what happens when we lie to ourselves, how to overcome limiting beliefs, achieve ‘honest alignment’ – and what we can learn from the ancient Egyptians. 

Talking Points



How dishonesty has been a fundamental problem for most organizations (2:41)Why we getting “stuck” with our own lies, and how to get unstuck (4:30)‘The Hall of Two Truths’ – learning from the ancient Egyptian mythology (5:26)The relationship between fear and dishonesty (14:08)Understanding Warren Buffett’s ‘institutional imperative’ about leaders getting stuck (22:59)Peter’s central framework: the Hourglass of Honesty (25:24)The two questions to ask yourself to start benign more honest (29:26)

“Honesty is an act of omission”

– Peter Kozodoy

Helpful Links



Fear Is A Dishonest Act Peter’s Monthly MastermindEpisode 306: Leading Without Authority with Keith FerrazziPeterKozodoy.com21-question Honesty QuizHonest To Greatness | Amazon

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 328: Being Brutally Honest with Peter Kozodoy appeared first on Productivityist.

What You Need to Do for Better Productivity in the Home Office

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If, like a lot of people, you have been spending a lot more time working from home lately, then you might have noticed that staying productive in your own space isn’t as easy as it might initially seem. (As someone who has worked from home for the better part of a decade, I find I’m struggling with it as well.)

While most people tend to get more productive when they work from home, this is usually after a period of adjustment where they find what does and doesn’t work. Here are some shortcuts to help you get the answer to that conundrum a lot more quickly.

Structure your days

Flexibility with time is one of the most widely lauded advantages of working from home. However, it can be a double-edged sword. Without thorough time management, breaking your day up into work and out-of-work time, they can both blur together. This affects your work-life balance. It not only makes the home harder to work in, but also making it harder to relax in since you’re always (to some degree) “on.”

You may want to give theming your time a try, whether it’s theming your days or theming periods of your days. I’ve found it to be an effective tactic as you learn to set better boundaries and craft your time.

Give yourself your own space

If you’re trying to work in your own bedroom or at the table in the family kitchen, you’re going to have a hard time hitting your stride. Simply put, even being in spaces built for other purposes can be a major distraction. You may decide that it is worth working with residential architects to help you out with this. That way you can extend or build a more purpose-driven workspace.

Your comfort is crucial

Being comfortable isn’t going to make you lazy. It’s going to make sure that you don’t hurt yourself. Working from home usually involves being in front of a computer monitor. As such, you can make sure you don’t cause any injuries by investing in ergonomic furniture that supports your posture and your musculoskeletal health. This can include ergonomic chairs or you can be one of those that invest in a standing desk instead.

I’ve invested in a Fluidstance board to help with this. If you want to learn more about it – along with other movement tactics to help you with your productivity – check out this episode of my podcast.

Take breaks to move around

The sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest risks of working from home, increasing your chances of hurting yourself and also affecting your mood negatively. To that end, it’s worth investing in a little home gym equipment to help you stay on the move during your breaks. A lot of home workers find that their energy can feel sapped over time and that’s often due to the fact they’re not taking care of themselves as they should physically.

Know when you need a distraction

In general, distraction is something that you want to avoid when working. However, when you take a break, you need to take a break all the way, to get your mind off work so it can be refreshed. As such, it’s a good idea to have a distraction not too far away, such a games room that you can hop into for half an hour before you get back to work. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, after all.

Once you get used to it, the benefits of working from home can far outweigh the risks. Just make sure that you accept the fact that it’s a different kind of workspace – one that demands a different kind of attitude to be productive with your work.

The post What You Need to Do for Better Productivity in the Home Office appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 327: August – The Methodical Month

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On this episode of the podcast I talk about the importance of planning – and why August is the month that I give planning my overarching focus.

Helpful Links



How to Make Better New Year’s ResolutionsThe NOW Year Action PlanHappy New Year! (or Why I Start My New Year on September 1st)

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 327: August – The Methodical Month appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 326: The Power of Process with Justin DiRose

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On this episode I’m joined by Justin DiRose, a productivity expert and remote work consultant from northern Minnesota. He has a passion for becoming better, the distributed workforce, being a great dad and husband, and music.

This episode is sponsored by  TextExpander . With TextExpander, you can unlock your productivity with its many features. With TextExpander you can make everything you write repetitively available everywhere you type: text documents, spreadsheets, web forms, and more. Unlock your productivity with TextExpander. Visit  TextExpander.com/podcast  for 20% off your first year.

Justin hosts one my favourite productivity podcasts out there: Process. Justin discusses the realities of how personal productivity, software, systems, and technology impact his life throughout each episode and those are some of the very things we touch on during our conversation on this episode.

Talking Points



What are some things that Justin has noticed evolve throughout the years in the productivity community? (2:07)Justin talks about what led him down this path (13:07)What are some tools that have helped Justin be more thoughtful about what the correct things to chase are? (16:40)What does Justin think some roadblocks that people who are trying to adopt a bigger sense of productivity have? (20:19)Justin suggests a book that everyone should read and why it impacted him so much (24:00)This is one thing Justin shares that you can do today to help with your productivity process? (27:16)

“Not just focusing on the tasks, not just focusing on the projects or ideas I have there but also focusing on ‘What am I experiencing? What am I feeling?’ Because a lot of times those are things that are causing me to lose focus, lose attention.”

– Justin DiRose

Helpful Links



ProcessEpisode 213: The Bullet Journal Method with Ryder CarrollA More Meaningful To Do List | My OmniFocus Setup TalkEpisode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David AllenEpisode 227: Why You Need Atomic Habits with James ClearThe Order of Time | AmazonRange: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World | AmazonEffective Remote WorkJustinDiRose.com

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 326: The Power of Process with Justin DiRose appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 325: HEY! I’m Talking Email with Phil Simon

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I wanted to talk to someone who knows communication and email to talk about that subject. So Phil Simon joined me once again to talk about email – and in particular, the new kid on the block, HEY.

Relevant Links



Episode 308: Talking Slack with Phil SimonEpisode 324: Let’s Zoom with Phil SimonHEY‘The world’s greatest email app’ is a privacy nightmare | The Next WebCheck out Front – my main email appListen to Andrew Warner talk about HEY with Jason FriedSecond-Order Thinking | FS.blogPhilSimon.com

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 325: HEY! I’m Talking Email with Phil Simon appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 324: Let’s Zoom with Phil Simon

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Phil Simon returns to the program to talk about a service that more people have started using in 2020… some whether they wanted to or not: Zoom.

This episode is sponsored by  Bambee . When running a business, Human Resources issues can kill you. There’s so much to wrap your head around and hiring an HR Manager is going to cost you  – they command an average of seventy-thousand dollars a year! That’s where Bambee comes in. Created specifically for small business, Bambee provides you with a dedicated HR Manager that can craft your HR policy, and maintain your compliance, all for just one low monthly fee. You don’t need to deal with HR issues – let Bambee do that for you. Go to  bambee.com/timecrafting  now to schedule your FREE HR audit. You’ll be glad you did.

Phil’s made a recent appearance on this podcast talking about his book Slack for Dummies. Now he’s back to share some of his knowledge and insights on another service – as well as another book he’s written Zoom for Dummies.

We spend this episode talking about the rise of Zoom use, what Phil’s first experience with Zoom was like, and some of the things Phil really likes about Zoom. If you’re new to Zoom and want to go from comfortable to confident with it, then this episode is well worth your time and attention.

Talking Points



Why does Phil think Zoom replaced Skype in many ways? (1:59)This was what Phil’s initial experience with Zoom was like (7:38)Phil talks about what Zoom brings to the table with webinars (15:41)What is a tip for people who want to get more out of Zoom? (27:29)

“Zoom is focused on user experience and focused on simplicity.“

– Phil Simon

Helpful Links



Zoom for DummiesEpisode 308: Talking Slack with Phil SimonSlack for DummiesGong.ioAgainst the Rules with Michael LewisPhilSimon.com

Enjoy the show and want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

The post Episode 324: Let’s Zoom with Phil Simon appeared first on Productivityist.