Team TimeBee, Author at blog.timebee.app

Employee Time Tracking for Small Businesses: A Practical Guide

Leave a Comment / Employee Productivity, Time-tracking / Team TimeBee

Either you run the day, or the day runs you! As a small business owner, you can definitely not afford the latter. Time is your most valuable asset, but managing it effectively and being productive can be a daunting task. And, if you also have to look after your small team, it’ll become even more difficult. It is where time-tracking for small businesses kicks in as a solution. Not only do you stay on top of your game, but you dictate the time, and it follows your command. In this blog, we’ll help you turn the tables by debunking the secrets of successful business owners who started small and are doing amazing. What we’ll discuss: In short, this is a complete guide you need to know everything about how to capitalize on your time and boost your business to success. So, remain with us until the end. Let’s dive into the blog without further ado. What is Time Tracking? Time tracking, or employee time tracking, is the process of recording an employee’s work hours against their assigned tasks and projects. It ensures employees are fairly compensated and provides employers with insightful data for future decisions. Time tracking has existed since Egyptian Hammurabi’s code of conduct established a minimum wage for workers based on their time. But in 1888, a New York jeweler invented a time clock that recorded his employees’ work hours and helped him monitor employee productivity, manage project timelines, and allocate resources effectively. Today, we use different methods of time-tracking. Here are the top 6 methods of time-tracking that have evolved over a period of time. Top 6 Time-Tracking Methods Some of the time-tracking practices have become obsolete because of the new technologies. However, these top 6 methods have been popular throughout history. The most common method that has revolutionized businesses is automatic time-tracking applications like TimeBee. These apps record your time, maintain your timesheets, and help manage projects, budgets, and workforce. Why Small Businesses Need Time-Tracking? A simple equation sums up the need for time-tracking: Time-Tracking + Smart Work = Productive and Efficient Operations. We all know this is the time to work smart. So make the most use of your time by ensuring you are not wasting your valuable hours on unproductive tasks. As the famous Benjamin Franklin says, “Time is Money,” so the more time you waste, the more money you lose. Time-tracking helps you work smart by identifying areas where you need to save time and adjusting your processes accordingly to maximize your working hours. Top Benefits of Time-Tracking for Small Businesses The need for a good time-tracking solution is inevitable. Find some of the greatest benefits your business is missing without having a good time-tracking strategy. Time Theft Prevention Any minute that goes by unaccountable is time theft. Many employees manipulate their working hours to increase their billable time. By opting for an automatic time tracker, you can eliminate this issue. The tracker will track the time and keep the employees accountable for every hour they spend on an assigned project. This will help in meeting deadlines faster and with quality work. Manage your Projects Better Even though you are a small business, you might have multiple projects to manage, or you might have to juggle multiple tasks at any given time. In any case, you can opt for an automated time tracker with project management features. It helps you distribute tasks fairly without causing over-exertion among employees. Plus, it promotes transparent employee-employer relationships. Maintain Workplace Transparency A company-wide time tracker keeps everyone informed about the company’s current affairs. This helps build a better workforce and leaves less room for malicious manipulation. Being informed about the company’s current affairs promotes employee loyalty and engagement. Overall, transparency in the work culture leads to better employee satisfaction and retention, and a strong brand reputation. Expand Your Team Without Expense After COVID-19, remote work has become a new norm. It helps businesses save extra time and money by avoiding lengthy and long-term hiring processes. If you start using a time tracker, you can easily manage freelance employees and finish your work. Plus, by monitoring your remote team’s activities, you can easily evaluate and analyze them. This will help you process accurate payrolls for them. Keep Your Company’s Data Secure When you opt for an automatic time tracker with multiple features, such as productivity reports and activity summaries, you are gathering important data that will help you during your audits. It is important to keep this data safe, and a time tracker with cloud-based backup can easily help you collect the data and secure it for when the time comes. Now that you know how important a time tracker is for modern business flourishing, learn how to get the best time-tracking software for small businesses. Top 5 Considerations to Choose the Best Time-Tracking App For Your Small Business Choosing the right time-tracking app is important to ensure it meets your business’s needs and requirements. Here are the top 5 considerations to keep in mind: Be Aware of Your Business Needs Once you buy a time tracker, you must first identify your business needs. Here are some basic questions you must ask yourself: Answer the following questions to better understand what you need to look for when you go time-tracker shopping. Opt for an Easy-To-Use Application When choosing a tracker, make sure it is user-friendly and has an intuitive interface. The features should be easy to navigate, and it should be easy to get started. If the app is not readily adaptable, it can be counter-productive for your employees, who may resist its implementation. Moreover, a hard-to-use user interface will demotivate workers and increase their stress, resulting in unproductive outcomes. Check Tracker’s Compatibility When we talk about compatibility, there are two types of compatibility: one, compatibility with your operating systems, and second, compatibility with your business tools. So, when opting for a time-tracking solution, don’t only check if it is compatible with Windows and Mac. Also, check

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Time Blocking Made Easy: Strategies & Best Practices That’ll Work

Leave a Comment / Productivity, Work Culture / Team TimeBee

Meeting deadlines daily is one of the biggest challenges you might face. Like most individuals in the professional world – this is a problem you might not be able to overcome using conventional means.

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10 Reliable Ways To Improve Self-Discipline at Work

Leave a Comment / Digital Wellness, Productivity / Team TimeBee

Modern workplaces have become a nuisance where it’s hard to stay away from multiple distractions and still be focused. However, just as every problem has a solution, this one does too. If you want to be more productive, meet deadlines faster, become better at your work, and feel good about yourself overall, you’ll have to master “Self Discipline.” In simple words, self-discipline is figuring out how to stay focused by controlling your impulses and avoiding distractions. It is being steadfast and committed to the work in the present and staying immersed till you complete it. But how would you go about it? That’s what we will be discussing in our today’s guide. Read through it and find out the 10 most reliable ways to improve self-discipline at work. What is Self Discipline in the Workplace? Self-discipline is: It is described as a trait of a leader who persistently dedicates their attention to the tasks till they are completed in line with quality standards. They say those with high self-discipline are not easy to distract. Self-Discipline in the Workplace Self-discipline in the workplace is all about: Not that we have covered the basics, let’s begin with the action. Below are the top 10 ways to be self-disciplined and consistent. 10 Reliable Ways to Improve Self-Discipline at Work Self-discipline is a routine, and to practice it, we need to build a habit. Once you pass the initial stage of practicing it consciously, you’ll start mastering it, and in no time, you’ll be practicing it without even knowing. 1. Understanding Self-Discipline Before you get deep into self-discipline practices, understand its purpose. Before you start applying all the tips and tricks here, try to figure out why you need self-discipline. Having a clear vision will make you unstoppable in your journey. Here are some signs you might need self-discipline: 2. Set Clear Goals Once you figure out your individual needs, your next step is to set a clear goal for yourself. Be measurable, specific, and realistic when setting goals for yourself. It will provide you with a roadmap to complete whatever you want to do successfully. Keep reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating your goals never get lost among other responsibilities. Here are some actionable tips to set clear goals for yourself. 3. Prioritize Tasks Prioritizing tasks is a surefire way to organize tasks – and requires a sustained level of self-discipline. The problem most people face is not being occupied. It is the wrong prioritization of tasks. You don’t need more time; you just need to get better at prioritizing your day. For this, here are strategies to prioritize your work efficiently and tick all the to-dos on your list effectively. 4. Create a Structured Routine “The secret to your success is found in your daily routine.” – John Maxwell Consistency can help you engrave your new daily routine into your habit. But it can be challenging. Sustained efforts toward an end goal requires unwavering discipline. Here are some pro tips for building a routine and following it every day: 5. Minimize Distractions It is important to minimize distractions as much as possible. It won’t only help you be more productive, but it will also eliminate errors from your work. Moreover, you’ll stay focused, which will help you meet deadlines faster and be more productive with your approach. With the following strategies, you can take control of your distractions and win at your work. 6. Time Management If you don’t respect your time, no one else will. So start managing your time to be more productive. You work almost 8-9 hours. This gives you 480 minutes a day. There are various time management methods that you can use, including time blocking, time batching, and more. If you’ve tried any of these but were unsuccessful, then combine the below tips and give your method a shot once again. 7. Accountability Partners If you think you can’t keep a check on yourself, it’s always good to ask for some help. Get your trusted colleague onboard as your accountability partner. Both of you can build a routine and ensure you follow. This collaboration will keep you motivated and give you the strength to march forward even when the weather is grey. Here are some useful tips on choosing the right partner to join you on this self-disciplined journey. 8. Self-Motivation Techniques If nothing else works, boost your endorphins by becoming your self-motivator and inspire yourself. When you become independent from the external variables, they stop bothering you. If no one cheers you, be your cheerleader. Find out some actionable self-motivation techniques that will ease the process for you. 9. Overcoming Procrastination One day, or day one. Only you can decide for yourself. Leaving things for the next day is one of the biggest examples of procrastination. It not only wastes your time, but this is also a demotivator. If you don’t act fast, chances are you’ll never do it. And this will hamper your everyday schedule. However, you can stop procrastination by applying some of the tricks given below. 10. Use a Time Tracker After the pandemic, many companies have adopted the practice of using time trackers on employee computers. With time trackers, you can easily manage your time, projects, and other activities. Here are some of the best tips on using a time tracker to become the best at your work and life. TimeBee is one of the best examples of a complete time-tracking and productivity app that provides multiple top-of-the-line features. It is a great way to instill self-discipline in your employees. It cultivates self-discipline in teams through precise tracking and accountability. TimeBee’s time-monitoring features ensure focused work hours and discourage distractions. With TimeBee, you can set tasks and deadlines to encourage goal-oriented behavior and boost productivity. The software’s reporting tools provide insights into time usage which develops awareness and prompts individuals to prioritize tasks effectively. It also provides distraction alerts and reminders to promote a balanced workflow and prevent burnout. TimeBee’s transparency instills responsibility

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How to Set SMART Goals (+ Examples and Template)

Leave a Comment / Collaboration, Insights and Guides, Managing Time, Project Management / Team TimeBee

How to Set SMART Goals (+ Examples and Template) All of us are ambitious about what we want, but only a few can see their dreams turning into their living reality. Just imagine you and your friend both are hunting for your dream job and one day, you get a call from him, “Hey! I got it!” Obviously, you’ll be happy for him, but you’ll also feel a little disappointed in yourself. Well, feeling bad about yourself won’t get you your dream job, but setting a SMART goal can. But what exactly are SMART goals? Let’s debunk this secret to help you become one of the exclusive ones. Stay with us till the end because we are not just going to talk about SMART goals through real-life examples, but we will also provide a practical guide on how to set and achieve them with a free template. What are SMART Goals? SMART is an abbreviation for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timebound. These parameters guide you in developing achievable personal or professional objectives. It helps individuals and organizations to set clear, concise, and attainable goals in a specific timeframe. For example: You want to become an employee of the month. Only manifesting it won’t help. You’ll need to turn your vague goal into a SMART goal. Here’s how you can go about it and turn the impossible into possible. The above example represents how you can make your goals achievable just by elaborating and clarifying your steps. Before we move to the actionable SMART goal techniques, template, examples, and benefits, let’s break down SMART goals in more detail. I. Specific (S) Goals “S” stands for Specific, the foundation of SMART goals. It represents a clear, concise, and well-defined objective. It answers the 5 Ws: who, what, where, when, and why. “I want to start a business.” This is a preliminary goal. A specific goal is: “I want to start a sustainable clothing business in the next six months in New York by renting a storefront in a trendy neighborhood and investing in social media marketing to create brand awareness and drive traffic to my store.” Writing your specific goal would give you clarity. When you are clear about your goal, you can easily identify the necessary actions and focus your time and energy on achieving it. II. Measurable (M) Goals “M” in SMART goals represents Measurable. Your goals should be specific and quantifiable to measure your progress and easily determine your success. “I want to learn graphic designing.” This is an immeasurable goal. “ I want to learn graphic design by completing a beginner-level course and illustrating at least five designs by the end” is a measurable goal. Determine your progress by specifying quantifiable metrics and regular tracking. This will further help you identify roadblocks and eliminate distractions. You stay motivated as the metrics show you your ongoing progress, which fuels your ambitions and frees you from procrastinating. III. Attainable (A) Goals “A” in SMART goals is for attainable goals. While aiming for the moon is great, you must also be realistic about what you want. Attainable goals branch out into two significant aspects: “I want to complete a 500-page book in 5 days.” Reading 100 pages a day is unattainable. Attainable goal: “ I will complete a 500-page book by reading 10 pages daily.” This goal is specific, measurable, and attainable. Moreover, identify the roadblocks and find their solutions to ensure your goal becomes attainable. Per se, you don’t have time to read 100 pages a day, but 10 pages are readable in a day. By removing the time constraint, you made it easily attainable. IV. Relevant (R) Goals “R” is for Relevant in SMART goals. It suggests that your goals must align with your vision and should be relevant to your life or career in some way. To become a marketer, becoming a sales agent is irrelevant to your vision. Taking a marketing certification course is a better goal. It aligns with your end goal, which will keep you motivated. Other than aligning with your vision, prioritize your goals according to your current situation. So if you want to become a marketer and don’t know anything about it, you can’t take up a job. You’ll have to take a course first. Although you’ll need to do both: Complete the course and get experience to become a professional marketer, your current situation needs you to focus on learning rather than experience. So focus on taking a course and achieving this target before setting your next goal to achieve the end goal. V. Time-Bound (T) Goals “T” is a time-bounding parameter of SMART goals. In other words, it sets a deadline to complete a specific goal. Setting a deadline is important to create an urgency to achieve that target in a given timeline. “I want to take a bar examination to open my law firm.” This is not a time-bound goal. A time-bound goal is: “ I want to take the bar examination next year to open my law firm in the next 5 years.” Without a specific timeframe, you’ll lose track of your progress and procrastinate. This can deviate your focus from your goal. To ensure you don’t procrastinate, divide your goal into achievable chunks. For example, your end goal is to open a law firm in the next 5 years. To achieve this, you can break your journey into steps. First, set a time-bound goal to complete your bar. The next goal could be to get your license, get clients, etc. By achieving these smaller goals, you’ll open your law firm in the next 5 years. How Can You Set SMART Goals? When setting SMART goals, one can easily deviate from the purpose and cause minor errors that can accumulate to become failures. So, follow the practical tips below on how to set SMART goals for your personal or professional achievements. 1. How to Specify Your Goal? The first step to identifying your goal is to be

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14 Best Time Management Apps for Freelancers in 2024

Leave a Comment / Time-tracking / Team TimeBee

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot”- Michael Altshuler. If this quote doesn’t perfectly describe the urgency of time management, I don’t know what will. Time management remains the most valuable yet least-valued skill in life since our schools and society do not give much attention to it. Time is even more valuable for freelancers because good freelancers need to be self-reliant and self-disciplined, which is challenging. You have multiple projects on the go, emails flooding in, and a ticking clock in the background. It can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed. To help you with this ordeal, we have created a list of the 14 best time management apps to overcharge your productivity as a freelancer. The 14 Best Time Management Software Available in 2024 Here are our top 14 picks for the best time management tools available in the market. 1. TimeBee TimeBee is a multi-faceted time-tracking tool. It offers a comprehensive set of features that assist in solving your time management issues. It allows you to work independently or dependently with your team without worrying about deadlines or overspending. TimeBee Best Features TimeBee Limitations 2. ActiveCollab ActivCollab is a project management software that streamlines the collaboration process. Manage multiple projects and track progress on various tasks of each. ActiveCollab Best Features ActiveCollab Limitations ActiveCollab Pricing 3. Harvest Harvest time tracking suite for freelancers allows you to track time across projects. You have access to instant reports, seamless invoicing and payments, and integrations with collaborative tools you utilize. Harvest Best Features Harvest Limitations Harvest Pricing 4. ProofHub ProofHub is an ideal time management software for freelancers working in a visual medium such as design work, advertisements, or other visual media. It is perfect for large teams, too, because you can add unlimited team members, and the pricing reflects that. It isn’t cost-effective if you have small operations. ProofHub Best Features ProofHub Limitations ProofHub Pricing 5. Clockify Clockify is one of the most popular free time tracking apps for freelancers. With it, you can manage timesheets and unlimited team members with ease, thereby ensuring your productivity. Clockify Best Features Clockify Limitations Clockify Pricing 6. Toggl Track Toggl Track is another worthy contender on the list. It accurately calculates clocked time without disrupting the team’s workflow. The tool tracks multiple users with high device compatibility. Toggl Track Best Features Toggl Track Limitations Toggl Track Pricing 7. Scoro Scoro is a workflow and time management solution for freelancers and small to medium-sized businesses. Scoro offers all the tools you need to manage your operation fully. This helps monitor and improve freelancer productivity. Scoro Best Features Scoro Limitations Scoro Pricing 8. TimeDoctor TimeDoctor not only tracks time but also provides proof of work, payroll management, scheduling, and attendance monitoring features. It also captures time taken on various tasks or projects and helps you identify productivity bottlenecks. There is also the option to track breaks and other time away from the computer. If you are working without an internet connection, the app still tracks time and re-syncs it later. TimeDoctor Best Features TimeDoctor Limitations TimeDoctor Pricing 9. TimeCamp TimeCamp is a time-tracking app that calculates freelancers’ work based on an hourly rate, measures their work efficiency, and manages projects. It uses automatic time tracking and calculates billable and non-billable hours, saving freelancers and small teams costs. TimeCamp Best Features TimeCamp Limitations TimeCamp Pricing 10. DeskTime DeskTime is a time-tracking and productivity management software designed to help individuals and organizations monitor and optimize their work habits. While DeskTime offers various features that can benefit freelancers, it is a versatile solution for remote and hybrid teams too. DeskTime Best Features DeskTime Limitations DeskTime Pricing 11. Asana Asana is a popular project management and collaboration tool that helps individuals and teams organize, track, and manage their work. It provides a wide range of features that are highly beneficial for freelancers. Asana Best Features Asana Limitations Asana Pricing 12. Sunsama Sunsama is a task and project management platform designed to help freelancers and remote teams organize their work, prioritize tasks, and streamline daily productivity. Sunsama Best Features Sunsama Limitations Sunsama Pricing 13. Teamwork Teamwork delivers project management solutions at your fingertips, granting powerful tools to drive your freelance operation. Teamwork Best Features Teamwork Limitations Teamwork Pricing 14. Replicon Replicon is a cloud-based platform that provides a variety of features and solutions for time tracking, workforce management, and project management. Replicon Best Features Replicon Limitations Replicon Pricing What Should You Look for in Time Management Software? 3 Key Aspects Once you know what you need for your work to excel, you can start narrowing down your choices. Here are a few things you should consider when picking a time management tool. I. Ease of Use The tool has to be user-friendly. You want something you can just dive into without spending hours trying to figure it out. Look for interfaces that are intuitive and easy to navigate. II. Features that Fit Your Needs Think about what you really need. Some software might have a ton of features, but if you are not going to use them, what’s the point? Make sure it ticks off the boxes for what you actually require. Are you into task lists, scheduling, or maybe something that helps with team collaboration? Choose accordingly. III. Cross-Platform Compatibility Life happens on multiple devices these days. So finding software that syncs across all your gadgets is a win. That way, whether you’re on your laptop, tablet, or phone, you have access to your schedules and tasks. IV. Customization Options Since we are all different, that means our workflows are too. Look for software that lets you tweak things to match how you work. Customizable settings, different views, or the ability to add specific details can make a big difference. V. Reliability and Support It is a big disappointment when something goes wrong and no one can help. Check out reviews or ask around about the software’s reliability and the kind of support

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Own Your Time: Powerful Time Tracking & Productivity Hacks

Learn to expand your success and impact through TimeBee’s weekly articles

Team TimeBee

Employee Time Tracking for Small Businesses: A Practical Guide

Time Blocking Made Easy: Strategies & Best Practices That’ll Work

10 Reliable Ways To Improve Self-Discipline at Work

How to Set SMART Goals (+ Examples and Template)

14 Best Time Management Apps for Freelancers in 2024

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