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IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Five tips for managing a remote workforce
If you're considering a flexible work model, here are five practical tips to help you get the most out of your remote team. Image: Freepik Big corporations like Amazon, Starbucks, and Uber may be pushing employees back to the office, but that doesn't mean the same approach works for all companies. Within the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) community, not all businesses can benefit from remote work. However, for those SMEs where remote work continues to offer significant advantages such as lower overheads, access to a broader talent pool, and greater flexibility for staff, there needs to be clear guidelines in place. Making remote work effective takes more than a solid internet connection. If you're considering a flexible work model, here are five practical tips to help you get the most out of your remote team. Set clear expectations from the outset Remote work doesn't mean working without structure. If anything, structure becomes more important. That starts with setting clear expectations for working hours and accessibility, communication norms, deadlines and outputs. Everyone in your team should understand what's expected of them – not only in terms of tasks, but also how and when to deliver them. This doesn't mean micromanaging. It's about giving your team the clarity they need to take ownership of their work. Make sure team members understand how their individual work contributes to broader business goals. A sense of purpose drives accountability and results. Use the right tools for communication and collaboration Working remotely shouldn't feel like working in isolation. To stay connected, you need tools that suit your business's size, style and needs. Some options to consider are: A communication platform (like Microsoft Teams or Slack) A project management tool (like Trello, Asana or A cloud-based file-sharing system (like Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox) Make sure everyone knows how to use the tools you've chosen and keep them streamlined – too many platforms can create confusion. Prioritise outcomes, not hours One of the biggest shifts in managing remote workers is moving from activity-based management to outcomes-based management. In a traditional office, managers often equate presence with productivity, but that doesn't translate in a remote environment. Instead, focus on results. Define key deliverables, agree on timelines, and then give employees the space to work in a way that suits them. This fosters a culture of trust and ownership - two qualities that are especially important when teams are working independently. Performance monitoring is still important, but it should be geared towards improvement and support, not control. Make time for culture and connection When everyone's working remotely, casual chats, shared lunches and spontaneous brainstorming sessions disappear. That's an undeniable loss, and if you don't actively replace those touchpoints, your team can start to feel fragmented. Make time for informal connection. That could be as simple as a 10-minute virtual 'coffee catch-up' on Monday mornings or a 'shout-out session' on Fridays to recognise good work. If your team is mostly local, consider hosting occasional in-person meetups or workdays. If that's not possible, prioritise building a shared culture online. A connected team is more resilient, more collaborative and more likely to stick with your business long-term. Review your policies and compliance obligations Remote work comes with legal and operational implications that SMEs often overlook. These can include data protection requirements, health and safety rules (even for home offices), and employment policies that reflect flexible work arrangements. You may need to update your employment contracts, especially if staff are working from locations outside your normal area of operation. For example, will your insurance or security policies cover remote staff? Are you clear on what equipment the business must provide versus what employees use personally? It's worth consulting a legal or HR adviser to ensure your policies are both fair and compliant. Jeremy Lang is Managing Director at Business Partners Limited. Jeremy Lang is the managing director at Business Partners Limited. Image: Supplied BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Microsoft OneDrive Mistake—Check Now If All Your Files Have Been Shared
Check your settings now. A new security report warns that millions of users have likely provided 'ChatGPT and other web apps full read access to [their] entire OneDrive" without realizing. Given how easy a mistake this is to make, users are urged to check their settings immediately. The team at Oasis Security estimates 'that hundreds of apps are affected, including ChatGPT, Slack, Trello, and ClickUp — meaning millions of users may have already granted these apps access to their OneDrive. This flaw could have severe consequences, including customer data leakage and violation of compliance regulations.' The flaw stems from the way in which OneDrive's File Picker works. When users think they're sharing a single file, they're likely sharing everything. 'The official OneDrive File Picker implementation requests read access to the entire drive – even when uploading just a single file – due to the lack of fine-grained OAuth scopes for OneDrive.' Oasis Security says they have advised Microsoft and others of the issue, but there have been no changes and so the onus is on users to check their settings. 'While users are prompted to provide consent before completing an upload, the prompt's vague and unclear language does not communicate the level of access being granted." Most of the likely file sharing is accidental, but this flaw also 'makes it impossible for users to distinguish between malicious apps that target all files and legitimate apps that ask for excessive permissions simply because there is no other secure option.' And now the flaw has been publicly highlighted, it's an invitation for abuse. Oasis Security warns that the lack of 'fine-grained OAuth scope' combined with the vague prompt presented to users 'is a dangerous combination that puts both personal and enterprise users at risk.' The mitigation is as follows: For enterprises, mitigation is different: I have reached out to Microsoft for any comments on the new report and advice for OneDrive users. The full report into this security flaw is here. Black Duck's Jamie Boote warns 'many people forget how vital the data in their OneDrive folders often are – scanned documents that end up in the 'My Pictures' or 'My Documents' folders may hold the key to one's credit identity and profile. Whenever an app asks if you trust it, you're trusting it with your most precious data.'
Time Magazine
14-05-2025
- General
- Time Magazine
Smart Strategies to Improve Your Time Management (With Help From ChatGPT)
This article is published by a partner of TIME. Time management is a crucial skill that can influence productivity, reduce stress, and help individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. The ability to manage time effectively allows you to make the most of your day and avoid the overwhelming feeling of tasks piling up. Without a strategic approach to managing your time, it's easy to become distracted, procrastinate, or lose sight of your long-term objectives. In today's fast-paced world, where work demands and personal commitments seem to grow every day, mastering time management is more important than ever. Effective time management doesn't necessarily mean doing more things; rather, it's about prioritizing tasks, focusing on what matters most, and eliminating distractions. With the right strategies, anyone can transform their approach to time management and start achieving their goals more efficiently. This article will outline 6 practical tips to improve your time management, followed by a look at how ChatGPT can help optimize your workflow. These strategies, backed by both traditional time management principles and modern tools, and developed with the research assistance of ChatGPT, can make a big difference in how you approach your day and manage your commitments. Tips to Improve Your Time Management 1. Prioritize Your Tasks Effective time management starts with identifying and prioritizing your tasks. Not all tasks are equally important, and it's essential to recognize which ones need immediate attention and which can be put off. Focus on high-priority tasks that align with your long-term goals, and learn how to delegate or eliminate tasks that don't add value. Additional Insights: Urgent vs. Important: Categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. Task Categorization: Break down tasks into categories (e.g., high, medium, low) to clearly prioritize. Time Blocking: Set specific time slots for high-priority tasks and stick to them. Delegation: Delegate low-priority or routine tasks to others whenever possible. Long-Term Goals: Ensure that your daily priorities are aligned with your broader long-term goals. Review: Regularly review your priorities to adjust them as your goals or circumstances change. 2. Use a Time Management System A time management system is a structured way to organize your tasks, track progress, and stay on top of deadlines. This could be a digital tool like a task manager app or a traditional method such as a to-do list or calendar. Whatever system you choose, it's important to find a method that works for you and ensures you stay organized and on task throughout the day. Consistently using a time management system helps reduce mental clutter and provides clarity on what needs to be done next. Additional Insights: Task Management Tools: Explore apps like Trello, Todoist, or Asana to organize tasks efficiently. Daily Planning: Start each day by reviewing your to-do list and organizing tasks by priority. Calendar Integration: Use a calendar to block out time for meetings, projects, and personal activities. Consistency: Stick to your system daily to build consistency and establish routines. Accountability: Review your task management system regularly to ensure you're on track. Time Tracking: Utilize time-tracking software to see how much time is spent on various tasks. 3. Break Large Tasks into Smaller Steps Large tasks can feel overwhelming, causing procrastination and inefficiency. The key to tackling big projects is breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps. By setting clear milestones and focusing on one step at a time, you can maintain momentum and feel a sense of accomplishment with each completed task. This approach makes big goals feel more achievable and reduces the stress associated with large projects. Additional Insights: Task Decomposition: Divide a large project into clear, actionable steps that can be completed in a short amount of time. Milestones: Set clear milestones to track your progress on bigger projects. Focus: Concentrate on completing one small task at a time rather than overwhelming yourself. Track Progress: Celebrate the completion of small steps to stay motivated. Set Deadlines: Assign deadlines to each step to keep you moving forward. Reduce Overwhelm: This technique reduces feelings of stress and helps you stay focused. 4. Learn to Say No One of the biggest barriers to effective time management is the inability to say no. Overcommitting to projects or tasks that don't align with your priorities can lead to burnout and inefficiency. Learning to say no helps you protect your time and ensure that you only take on commitments that are truly important. It's a vital skill that empowers you to take control of your schedule and focus on what matters most. Additional Insights: Setting Boundaries: Politely decline additional tasks that don't align with your goals or priorities. Be Assertive: Practice assertiveness techniques to help you say no without feeling guilty. Assess Requests: Before saying yes, assess whether the task will bring you closer to your long-term goals. Avoid Overcommitting: Limit your commitments by focusing on quality over quantity. Delegate: When possible, delegate responsibilities to others to lighten your workload. Protect Your Time: Remember that your time is valuable, and protecting it is essential for success. 5. Eliminate Distractions Distractions can quickly derail your productivity and disrupt your time management efforts. Whether it's social media, phone notifications, or other people, staying focused is essential. Eliminate distractions by creating a dedicated workspace, setting boundaries, and using tools to block out distractions. By doing so, you'll be able to dedicate more time to important tasks and complete them more efficiently. Additional Insights: Digital Tools: Use apps like Freedom or StayFocusd to block distracting websites. Workspace Organization: Keep your workspace clean and organized to minimize distractions. Do Not Disturb Mode: Activate "Do Not Disturb" mode on your phone and computer to eliminate interruptions. Set Boundaries: Politely inform colleagues or family members when you need focused work time. Time Blocking: Dedicate specific times of the day for checking emails or social media, and stick to it. Accountability: Let others know your focus times so they can avoid interrupting you. 6. Delegate Tasks One of the most effective ways to manage your time is by delegating tasks that others can handle. Many people tend to take on too much work themselves, leading to overwhelm and inefficiency. Delegating responsibilities allows you to focus on higher-priority tasks that align with your strengths and goals. Effective delegation requires trust and communication but can greatly enhance your productivity and time management. Additional Insights: Identifying Tasks: Determine which tasks can be delegated without compromising quality. Clear Instructions: Provide clear instructions to ensure tasks are completed correctly. Trust: Trust your team or colleagues to handle delegated tasks, giving you more time for important responsibilities. Follow Up: Check in regularly to ensure delegated tasks are progressing as planned. Accountability: Create a system to hold people accountable for the tasks you delegate. Time Savings: Delegate tasks to focus on higher-priority projects and improve your overall time efficiency. How ChatGPT Can Help Improve Your Time Management ChatGPT can be an incredibly useful tool to help improve your time management by offering suggestions, organizing tasks, and even creating reminders. ChatGPT can help you structure your day, prioritize tasks, and brainstorm ways to eliminate inefficiencies in your workflow. Whether it's helping you create a to-do list, providing motivational tips, or offering personalized time management strategies, ChatGPT can act as an efficient assistant. By leveraging its capabilities, you can maximize your productivity and minimize wasted time. Additional Insights: Task Organization: Use ChatGPT to help structure and prioritize your to-do list for the day. Reminder System: Set up reminders and follow-ups with ChatGPT to keep you on track with deadlines. Brainstorming: Ask ChatGPT for help brainstorming ways to streamline your workflow. Focus Tips: ChatGPT can offer motivational strategies to help you stay focused throughout the day. Automated Scheduling: Ask ChatGPT to help you create a time-blocked schedule based on your priorities. Ongoing Support: Use ChatGPT to reassess your time management strategies and adapt them as needed. Conclusion on Efficient Time Management Mastering time management is essential for success in both personal and professional spheres. By implementing these smart strategies, you can improve productivity, reduce stress, and create more time for the things that truly matter. Learning to prioritize, eliminate distractions, and leverage technology are just a few of the ways you can take control of your schedule. With the help of tools like ChatGPT, time management becomes even more accessible and efficient. Whether you're seeking advice on structuring your day, staying focused, or optimizing your workflow, ChatGPT can act as a powerful assistant in achieving your goals. By incorporating these strategies and using AI as a resource, you can finally get the most out of every hour in your day. Related Articles: About the Authors: Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn. Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event management at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies, Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects, and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
Time Business News
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Best Timesheet Apps for Optimizing Billable Hours
Time management is crucial for businesses that rely on billable hours to generate revenue. Efficient time tracking of work hours not only ensures accurate client billing but also helps in identifying productivity patterns, managing projects, and maintaining financial health. This post explores some of the best timesheet apps that can significantly optimize billable hours, streamline workflows, and enhance overall productivity. Toggl Track is a user-friendly timesheet app that allows professionals to track work hours effortlessly. It features a simple interface, robust reporting capabilities, and integration with various project management tools. Users can create detailed reports, set hourly rates, and monitor project budgets. Toggl Track also provides idle time detection, reminders, and automated timesheet generation, making it a valuable asset for agencies, freelancers, and businesses looking to maximize billable hours. Clockify is a free timesheet and time-tracking app that offers unlimited tracking for individuals and teams. It supports manual and automatic time entries, making it easy to log work hours accurately. With advanced features like project tracking, invoicing, and detailed reporting, Clockify helps businesses manage multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring precise billing. Additionally, its integration with popular apps like Asana, Trello, and Slack enhances workflow management and time tracking efficiency. Harvest is an all-in-one time tracking and invoicing tool designed to streamline billing and project management. It allows users to track time for specific tasks, generate invoices, and monitor project budgets in real time. Harvest also integrates seamlessly with various tools such as QuickBooks, Asana, and Slack, making it easier to manage client projects and optimize billable hours. With comprehensive reporting features, users can assess project profitability and identify areas for improvement. Hubstaff is a powerful time-tracking tool that offers detailed insights into employee productivity. It includes features like GPS tracking, online timesheets, and screenshot monitoring, making it ideal for remote teams and businesses with field employees. Hubstaff also enables project managers to allocate tasks, monitor project progress, and generate accurate invoices based on tracked hours. By providing transparency and accountability, Hubstaff helps businesses maintain control over billable hours effectively. TimeCamp is a versatile time tracking software that offers both automatic and manual time entry options. It categorizes tracked hours by project, client, or task, allowing businesses to monitor billable and non-billable hours efficiently. TimeCamp also features productivity tracking, invoicing, and comprehensive reporting to help businesses assess profitability and optimize workflow. Its integrations with project management tools like Trello and further enhance project tracking capabilities. FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting and invoicing solution that includes time tracking as one of its core features. Users can log hours, track expenses, and create professional invoices with ease. FreshBooks also provides real-time insights into project profitability, allowing businesses to adjust budgets and billing rates accordingly. Its mobile app ensures that users can track billable hours on the go, making it a convenient choice for freelancers and small businesses. Choosing the right timesheet app can significantly impact a business's ability to optimize billable hours and manage projects effectively. Whether you are a freelancer, a small business owner, or part of a larger team, investing in a reliable time tracking solution can streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and improve financial management. Consider your specific needs, such as integration capabilities, reporting features, and ease of use, when selecting the best timesheet app for your business. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Business News
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How to Start a Side Hustle in 2025: Practical Steps for Busy People
Feeling stuck in a 9 to 5 but not ready to quit your job? You're not alone. More people than ever are exploring how to start a side hustle — not just for extra cash, but to build freedom, flexibility, and even a future full-time business. But where do you start when you're low on time, energy, and maybe even ideas? In this guide, we'll break down real, actionable steps to help you figure out exactly how to start a side hustle, even if you've never run a business before. Financial cushion in uncertain times in uncertain times Skill development beyond your job beyond your job Creative outlet that brings purpose that brings purpose A potential exit plan from corporate life Whether you're freelancing, selling online, or building a brand, side hustles let you test ideas without risking your main income. Side hustles don't need to be revolutionary — they need to be relevant . Think: What do people ask your help with? What skills do you use in your job that others would pay for? What are you passionate about that could solve a problem? Examples: An accountant offering tax help to freelancers A gamer creating tutorials on YouTube A teacher selling lesson plans online Don't build a website or logo until you've validated your idea. Quick ways to test demand: Offer services on Fiverr or Upwork Run a poll on LinkedIn or Instagram Sell your idea before building it (pre-orders, interest lists, DMs) You don't have 40 hours/week — and that's okay. Match your hustle to your lifestyle: 1–2 hours/week : Print-on-demand, investing content, affiliate marketing : Print-on-demand, investing content, affiliate marketing 5–10 hours/week : Freelancing, tutoring, product flipping : Freelancing, tutoring, product flipping More time? Digital product creation, coaching, eCommerce Instead of aiming to 'make $10k a month,' aim to: Land your first client Make your first sale Publish your first post Momentum > Perfection. Once you're consistent and confident, shift from 'side project' to 'small business' thinking. Use free/cheap tools like: Canva for content for content Notion or Trello for planning or for planning Google Sheets for tracking Even a simple landing page or social profile can help legitimize your hustle. Buy that $30 course. Learn how to market yourself. Time invested in skills = money earned long-term. A full-time nurse offering meal planning consultations on weekends offering meal planning consultations on weekends A graphic designer who started selling digital templates on Etsy who started selling digital templates on Etsy A data analyst freelancing on weekends, later launching an analytics agency All of them started part-time. Consistency was key. We've created a free 3-day mini email course on exactly how to start a side hustle, including idea validation, time hacks, and side hustle templates. Learning how to start a side hustle isn't just about extra money — it's about control, confidence, and future-proofing your life. Whether you're doing it to pay off debt or follow a passion, the best time to start… is now. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
