Imagine this: You're at your desk, a cup of coffee in hand, ready to conquer the day. You open your inbox and meet a flood of unread emails. Simultaneously, multiple spreadsheets lay open on your desktop, each one a maze of numbers and data. Your heart rate picks up, and your focus scatters. The day has just begun, but you already feel overwhelmed.
This isn't productivity. This is chaos. And it's a reality for many of us in the fast-paced business world. But it doesn't have to be this way. We can find a better, simpler way to work. Let's tackle this problem together.
The pitfalls of managing work with spreadsheets and emails
As a business leader, you may find your teams investing countless hours into spreadsheets and carefully designing workflows, only to face frustration and a drop in productivity. This frustration isn't just about the long hours they're putting in. It's the feeling of running on a treadmill, working hard but not moving forward. It's the knowledge that despite their best efforts, they're not making the progress they'd hoped for. It is easy to think this is a performance issue - that more training or better system debugging could fix the problem. But deep down, you know that's not the case. The real issue lies in the complexity of the tasks at hand. It's time for a simpler, more efficient way to work.
Unfortunately, this is a misconception. No amount of time can transform a spreadsheet into an efficient workflow management tool.
Collaboration becomes a daunting task in spreadsheets, automation is virtually absent, and customization becomes a complex puzzle. The lack of accountability is glaring, enforcing deadlines is impractical, and transitioning between macro and micro tasks is a stumbling block.
And these are just a few of the many challenges.
Similarly, managing tasks via email can be equally challenging. It morphs organization into disarray, lacks efficient tracking systems, and complicates prioritization. Additionally, it fails to provide a clear overview of progress, makes delegation difficult, and switching between conversations and tasks becomes a juggling act.
Emails can give rise to communication breakdowns. Crucial messages can get swallowed up in overcrowded inboxes, and with a centralized platform for discourse, team members are aware of vital updates or alterations. The list of difficulties is seemingly endless.
But even with all the confusion and chaos, people still use it.
According to an article in the Enterprise Times, 60 percent of US businesses continue to depend on Excel spreadsheets for their operational needs. Meanwhile, there's a growing trend, with 21 percent of these businesses transitioning towards alternative spreadsheet software solutions.
Here is why many are still stuck to the oldest and most in-efficient methods despite the hiccups:
Familiarity:
Spreadsheets and emails have existed for decades, and many individuals and businesses are well-acquainted with their operations.
Cost-effective:
Spreadsheets and email services often come bundled with other office productivity software at no extra charge, making them an economical choice for budget-conscious users.
Perceived disruption:
The transition to a new task management system is seen as potentially time-consuming and disruptive, deterring some from switching.
Spreadsheets and emails have long held their place as imperative instruments for managing tasks, tracking progress, and communicating within teams. However, as businesses expand and projects grow more intricate, these tools can swiftly transform into a labyrinth of confusion and exasperation.
Break free from the chaos with low-code
With a low-code/no-code platform, businesses can streamline their internal processes, improve communication, and eliminate the chaos caused by spreadsheets and emails.
You can create custom workflows to automate routine tasks, allowing your team to focus on more strategic initiatives. Most low-code platforms offer an intuitive interface that makes it easy to track progress and monitor performance in real-time, ensuring everyone is always on the same page. More importantly, these platforms empower even non-technical business users to build processes without IT assistance.
Rather than sifting through endless email threads, team members can communicate directly within the platform, ensuring everyone can access the latest information.
Break free from the old ways of working and adopt low-code to transform your business operations today.
