It used to be that you could depend on Window as the default lingua franca of business computing. That's becoming less and less the case, and it's becoming clear that the foremost virtue for enterprise software going forward will be platform independence.…
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Offshoring Can Help Remote Workers Stay Competitive
The ability to work from home is seen by many employees as a good thing, allowing them more freedom and fewer inconveniences. But the growth of remote working isn't all roses, for either employees or employers. Is the rise of offshore labor also a threat?…
Read MoreHow to Make Paper Communication Productive With QR Codes
Creating and using QR codes is so easy, it struck me that they could also be useful for enterprise deployment, especially if your office still uses paper for some communication purposes. Here are some sample applications of the kinds of implementations that I'm now using.…
Read MoreWhy the Mac App Store Is Great for Remote Workers
For Mac-using remote workers, the Mac App Store presents a major step forward in making sure that we always have our tools with us, no matter where we are. The App Store now allows us to install apps associated with our accounts to any Mac.…
Read MoreHow Will the Move to the Cloud Impact Remote Productivity?
More our activities are making their way to the cloud, but what effect will that have on productivity? To anticipate the impact of a cloud-based remote workforce, look at the last time there was a revolution in the way workers connected: the rise of the Internet.…
Read MoreIs Smartphone Productivity a Myth?
I've been using a smartphone for around four years now, and I have a confession to make: I'm fairly sure that during that time, my cellphone usage has, if anything, become far less productive. But with apps, email and Internet access, how could that possibly be?…
Read MoreTop 3 Productivity Pitfalls Disguised as Work-Boosting Tools
Many of the things that masquerade as helpful in getting work done can, in fact, make jobs harder and draw things out.. Here's a list of three things that have led me down the garden path when it comes to being genuinely productive.…
Read MorePolicing Productivity: Who’s Looking Over Your Shoulder?
How do you police your time online without using automated systems if you are your own supervisor? Even the most disciplined worker, faced with years of a relaxed work environment, will begin to waver. Here's how to get back on track without sacrificing your soul.…
Read MoreHow to Take Effective Conference Notes
If your primary goal at conferences is to learn, then note-taking is essential. But how can you focus on note taking when you have other things on your mind such as networking and the other sessions you have to attend?…
Read MoreBusting 3 Common Productivity Myths
Whether it’s establishing new rules or using employee monitoring software, businesses are always looking for new ways to get more “productive time” from their employees. Some companies ban access to Facebook or grab random screenshots of employee workstations. But do any of these measures actually work?…
Read MoreTools and Tips for Better Online Reading
Eyestrain and ocular fatigue used to be associated with the computer screens themselves, but the root of the problem is actually incorrect screen settings and poor reading habits. To improve our online reading experience, we only need to have the proper screen settings, tools and habits.…
Read More3 Productivity Systems and the Tools That Go With Them
We all have our own ways of organizing our tasks and other activities. But what’s a great productivity system without the tools to implement them? The good news is that many of the more popular productivity systems have inspired developers to create accompanying tools.…
Read MorePassion as “the Ultimate Productivity Tool”
Among all the productivity tips we’ve discussed here at WWD in the past, there seems to be one element needed to make any of them really work: Passion. I'm not talking about fleeting bursts of motivation, nor the satisfaction of crossing off a to-do item.…
Read MoreThe Emergency-Proof Web Worker: How to Stay Productive Through the Storm
It’s typhoon season again in the Philippines, and just this week I was left with no electricity and no running water for…
Read MoreCan Listening to Music Boost Your Productivity?
Almost everyone I know listens to music while working. When I ask them why, the reasons are varied. Some say it’s to perk themselves up as they start their workday or to drown background noise. Others claim that listening to music helps them work better.…
Read MoreIs Self-handicapping Taking Over Your Work?
Self-handicapping is finding excuses and obstacles that explain why we’re not responsible for our mistakes, failures, or poor performance. Most of us start experiencing it as students, but the habit also tends to stay with us even when we turn into capable professionals.…
Read MoreProductive Sleep: 5 Things You Should Know
Sleep happens to be one of the most important things that we do each day. How we sleep affects our memory, learning ability, mood, and health. Too little sleep can have negative effects that will last us throughout the day and interfere with our work.…
Read MoreIs it Time for a Shift in Your Work Strategy?
I am not the same worker I was last year. Too many things have happened in both my personal and professional lives that the strategies I had in the past are no longer working for me. But how do you know when things need to change?…
Read MoreGet More Done With a Work Buddy
For the past month, I've been working with a "work buddy". She helps me stay on track with projects, keeps me focused when I'm not feeling motivated and gives me professional advice. She has become my go-to person for almost every concern I have with work.…
Read More3 Counterintuitive Tips that Might Make You More Productive
We all have different habits and personalities; for some of us, the usual productivity tips don't seem to work. It's entirely possible that doing the opposite of the conventional advice might help actually you to work better. Here are some counterintuitive techniques you can start with:…
Read MoreWork Better by Seeking Out Competition
When we work alone, away from the constant prying eyes of colleagues and supervisors, we tend to lose our competitive edge. I've noticed this in myself, too. I haven't exactly been slacking off or taking my work for granted, but I feel like something's missing.…
Read MoreFeeling Stuck? These Web Toys Might Do the Trick
Here's my dream web app: the inspiration generator. Click a button and you instantly feel inspired, a dozen new ideas come falling in your lap. You suddenly know how to start your project, or solve that problem that's been bothering you for days.…
Read MoreDoes Caffeine Really Affect Productivity?
Most of us web workers have a relationship with caffeine. Whether we use tea or coffee as creative fuel, or use coffee shops as our offices, caffeine has become an essential part of our professional lives. But how exactly does caffeine affect us?…
Read MoreWhy Distraction Blockers Don't Work in the Long Run
In my experience, there are two types of things you can use to improve your productivity. There are blockers -- things that eliminate distractions from the work you have to do. Then there are aids, which are the things that encourage us to work better.…
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