Do you find that your team projects and collaborations often feel like a game of Jenga, just one botched deadline or failed communication away from toppling over? Finding the proper tools to promote team productivity is an ongoing quest for countless small businesses – that’s why we’re here to set the stage for your success.
For SMBs, organization is key. By a show of hands, how many people have an endless stream of tabs open in their browser window right now, packed like sardines? We rely on software for nearly every aspect of getting our work done, but all too often, these productivity tools can actually end up fragmenting our time.
The future of work lies in streamlining our digital processes. By gathering as many programs, tools, and capabilities as possible in one place, we begin to eliminate the need for toggling between a dozen windows and programs at a time.
In light of SignEasy’s recent collaboration with Microsoft Teams – which transforms the popular e-signature software into a fully-integrated app for Microsoft’s latest chat platform – we wanted to explore the many ways in which integrations mark a fundamental shift in the way SMBs are able to do business.
Here are the top three things your small business should consider when shopping for company software, so you can join the productivity revolution with confidence.
1. The one-stop shop
The quickest way to banish your growing collection of tabs is to have all the programs and functionalities you need under one roof. Mobile app development for business and extensions are quickly becoming a popular choice for businesses who want to use one central program or browser – one that they would be using on a daily basis already – as a hub for tons of other productivity tools.
Take the nearly 50% of web surfers that use Google Chrome as an example. Thanks to Chrome extensions, people that favor this platform can turn their browser into a to-do list, a task manager, a productivity tracker, and much more, simply by installing a few integrated add-ons.
Similarly, Microsoft Teams users can use the SignEasy add-on to sign documents, send them out for signature, and track the progress of outstanding documents simply by toggling to the SignEasy tab. No need to leave the Office365 ecosystem.
Not only that, but the nature of cloud-based apps and extensions means that all of your employees can access all of your documents and files from any device, anywhere in the world. Whether it’s company documents with SignEasy or important files on Google Drive, these centralized systems integrate seamlessly with many popular programs so you can get more done with less hassle.
2. Software that simplifies
If you’re at the helm of a small business, chances are you’re running a slim operation with an even slimmer budget. With finite resources at your disposal and all hands on deck at all times, you’re going to need to use software that is seriously multifunctional, cost-effective, and super simple to integrate into your existing workflows.
These days, it’s easy to get your hands on programs and tools that are either free, offer a free trial to test the waters, or are extremely affordable once you find your perfect match. By choosing software from the get-go that supports add-ons, extensions, apps, you’re setting yourself up for a world of seamlessly integrated possibilities. Plus, if you put equal emphasis on ease-of-use and the potential for quick adoption within your organization, you can optimize your internal processes without wasting a moment of company time!
What is project management software?
Project management software helps project managers (PMs) and teams collaborate and meet goals on time while managing resources and cost. Functions may include task distribution, time tracking, budgeting, resource planning, team collaboration, and many more. People also refer to project management software as Task Management Software or Project Portfolio Management.
3. Growth and empowerment
Everyone knows that SMBs have a lot on their plate. The good news is, an increasing number of software providers are waking up to that fact, and are beginning to adopt small-business-friendly strategies that make the resources you need more accessible than ever.
Simply put, companies are meeting SMBs where they’re at. For example, companies like Microsoft and Slack understand that their products are used as powerful communication tools within growing businesses. In the spirit of empowering their users, they created their own native app stores chock full of programs that companies know, love, and use on the daily: apps like SignEasy for document workflow management, and MeisterTask for task management and collaboration. Similar comparisons can be made for Google Chrome and its wide variety of in-browser extensions.
Put simply, there has never been a better time for businesses to adopt integrated platform solutions: they’re available, they’re largely free, and they’re chock full of complimentary tools to simplify your life. Ready to do some spring cleaning on those tabs?
Authored by: Monica Perez
Monica Perez leads Customer Success and Product Marketing at SignEasy. She is passionate about building a paperless world, discovering the latest productivity hacks, and making cold brew coffee.
