Timely Blog

Your partner in time.

11 questions to ask when switching software

January 18, 2021

2021 will be marked by the rapid adoption of tech. But instead of just acquiring more, companies will also have to address their existing technical debt and tap the unrealized value of existing tools. To help navigate the process, here are 11 key questions you should ask when switching software.

How to get better at deprioritizing work

October 21, 2020

We’ve all felt the sting of an overwhelming workload. But when we feel most pressured to be efficient, we often focus on the wrong things. The best way to keep perspective at work starts with recognizing what doesn’t matter. Here’s why you need to get better at deprioritizing work and how to do it.

How to build trust and safety into video calls

October 20, 2020

Video calls are essential for keeping remote collaboration human, but they can also have a negative impact on trust and psychological safety. But what is it about them that limits our ability to connect comfortably and naturally? And how can we make them a safer space for everyone?

The best employee hours tracker is automatic

October 19, 2020

Every business needs to track employee hours, but the majority still rely on error-prone manual methods. These are costing US firms a staggering $50,000 a year per employee in lost billable hours. But there is a simple, accurate alternative out there – and it tracks employee hours automatically.

Employee monitoring: why surveillance will never be the answer

October 14, 2020

2020 has seen a surge in demand for employee monitoring software, as employers struggle to keep the remote work experience visible. But keeping track of what employees are doing is one thing – spying on them is a whole other ball game. Here’s why surveillance tactics will never be the answer.

Can work friendships survive in a virtual space?

October 13, 2020

It’s almost impossible to downplay the importance of work friendships, but what happens when colleagues no longer access shared spaces and rituals? Can work friendships survive in a virtual space? Or does remote work during the pandemic only reveal how circumstantial they are?

6 work management software for remote teams

October 12, 2020

Work management software is an essential element of any remote tech stack. They help to provide essential team visibility, helping to align efforts, balance capacity, recognize achievement and provide timely support. So what is the best work management software for remote teams?

How to track employee hours accurately with minimal effort

October 7, 2020

You can’t manage payroll, bill clients or even comply with labor regulations without tracking employee hours. But that shouldn’t mean you have to lose time and effort to it; in fact, new software can now automate the entire task. Here’s how to track employee hours efficiently and accurately.

7 best practices for managing remote workers

October 6, 2020

While many companies have now adjusted to the idea of remote work, few have considered the infrastructure required to sustain it. It requires a solid foundation of remote-first tech, policies, communication and culture. Check out our seven best practices for managing remote workers.

Online timesheets three ways

October 5, 2020

Tons of digital tools can help you quickly knock out online timesheets. The right one for you depends on the accuracy and simplicity you’re after, as well as your budget. To guide you through, we’ve listed the three main methods available, grading each by their efficiency, accuracy, ease and cost.

7 tools that support remote employee wellbeing

September 30, 2020

Remote work can be tricky to navigate at the best of times, but in a climate of continued uncertainty it has taken on a whole new level of complexity. At a time when our work and lives have never been more digital, what tools can workers and their employers use to support remote employee wellbeing?

Is hybrid remote working the “future of work”?

September 29, 2020

Remote work may have become an unexpected new norm, but it doesn’t work for everybody. So perhaps the ideal solution is a compromise. Hybrid remote working has been dubbed the “future of work” – but what is it, exactly? And why do so many believe it offers employees the best of both worlds?

Simplify project management with a budget tracker app

September 28, 2020

When managing multiple projects, you need to know exactly how money and time is being spent across each one. But monitoring budget spend via spreadsheets can be hugely inefficient and inaccurate. That’s where budget tracker apps come in – here’s how they work and what features to watch out for.

The rise of low-tech productivity tools

September 23, 2020

For all our reliance on tech, the past decade has witnessed a revival in intentionally slow, analogue productivity tools. People are increasingly picking up pens, buying journals and making long-hand notes to manage their performance. But is all the effort and time required worth the investment?

5-minute favor: should teams schedule altruism?

September 22, 2020

We all want to think we’re nice, but should we work altruism into our routine in the same way we schedule a meeting or a coffee break? Teams using the “five-minute favor” think so – but is it a good idea? Or have modern ways of working made it necessary to turn being kind into a task?

Time tracking apps compared: what’s the difference?

September 21, 2020

The internet is saturated with similar looking time tracking apps. But how do you know which one is the best for you? To aid your search, we’ve compared the biggest differences between the most notable time tracking apps currently on the market – from manual to automatic solutions.

Remote work policy: are you ready to offer long-term WFH?

September 16, 2020

In the wake of lockdown, many businesses are gearing up to offer staff long-term remote work. But is yours really ready for it? To recruit and retain top-notch talent, you need to think very carefully about your remote work policy – creating process, protocol and frameworks to make it sustainable.

Is virtual presenteeism turning remote work toxic?

September 15, 2020

Presenteeism has traditionally been associated with office work, but a new version has adapted to our digital world. Left unchecked, it can lead to stress, burnout and cultural breakdown. But what exactly is virtual presenteeism, and is it creating a toxic office culture in a remote setting?

How to create a remote communication structure

September 14, 2020

Remote teams don’t just fall into highly effective collaboration patterns; they develop robust communication structures. That means outlining a few basic norms and protocols somewhere public. Here are a few we’ve being using for the past six years here at Memory to get you started.

Work life after COVID-19: recasting the future of work

September 9, 2020

2020 has not just accelerated the future of work, it has fundamentally recast it. Businesses and employees now need to carefully consider the challenges that lie ahead and how they will navigate them. So, what can we expect from work life after COVID-19?

How to gather remote employee feedback

September 8, 2020

Remote employee engagement, wellbeing and representation all depend on regular, candid feedback. But how, exactly, do you go about it? What kinds of mechanisms and virtual spaces can you use? How do you encourage people to participate in company culture? And how do you make everyone’s voice heard?

Why the Ivy Lee Method still works 100 years on

September 7, 2020

Productivity hacks don’t need to be tremendously complex; in fact, the simplest are often the most effective. The Ivy Lee Method is a textbook case in point here – and it still holds water despite being over 100 years old. So what exactly is the Ivy Lee Method, and why is it still relevant today?

Ready to resume: how to reduce the productive cost of distraction

September 1, 2020

Each daily distraction we encounter incurs a cost – reducing our productivity up to 40% and our IQ to fall by 10 points. But interruptions are not always avoidable, so how can we reduce the productive cost of distractions? New research suggests a simple ready-to-resume plan may be just the ticket.

Find time with the 4 Ds of time management

August 31, 2020

We all have enough time to do something meaningful each day – it’s just a matter of protecting space for it. To reclaim your workday and find more time for the work that matters, try using the 4 Ds of time management: delete, defer, delegate and diminish. Here’s how to go about it.

Tackling unpaid digital labor

August 26, 2020

When you think about how much you work, do you factor in the tasks that fall outside your official hours? Unpaid digital labor has become so normalized that the very fact we frequently work extra hours for no money often doesn’t even register. Here’s how to surface and effectively tackle yours.

Workday shutdown rituals: 7 great ways to end the day

August 25, 2020

There are a ton of strategies out there to help you switch from “work” to “play” mode, but adding a simple structure at the end of your day has to be one of the most effective. Here’s why everyone should have a workday shutdown ritual – and how to create one that sticks.