Leveraging Technology for Better Productivity

I've received a few questions on this, so thought I'd share 5 ways I'm using AI in my day-to-day at work to boost productivity, insight, and strategic clarity: Benchmarking: I use AI daily to quickly validate metrics and performance benchmarks. For instance, when reviewing email open rates, I ask ChatGPT (and other LLMs) for industry benchmarks segmented by email types, industries and content. This provides immediate clarity on performance against the rest, and I can see if we're good, great, or have work to do. This information was hard to find or non-existent before and instantly helps builld context. Thought Partner: LLMs elevate my strategic thinking. Whether analyzing competitors or drafting new strategies, I leverage AI to rapidly identify gaps, assess my thoughts against frameworks like "Seven Powers," and run game theory on them with competitive response and market players. It uplevels my thinking and leads to more comprhensive considerations. Deepening Customer Insights: By processing sales call transcripts and meeting notes through AI, I can surface customer pain points and uncover new insights, which improves my understanding of customer needs, sales blockers and messaging that otherwise would be hard to come by. Writing Partner: I use AI to power my writing process—from refining documents to constructing logical, concise, and compelling arguments. It helps draft outlines, provides examples and proof-points to reinforce my assertions, and streamlines my writing. All-in it makes my writing better and faster. Automating Daily Tasks: I use AI-powered tools daily to track competitors, monitor market trends, and check-in on things I care about. It never stops working and so I always have this information available as needed. Today, AI is integral to about half of my workday. And this is just the beginning—there's even more potential to unlock with automations such as reviewing and drafting replies for my emails, prioritizing which documents to review next, and automated meeting prep. How are you integrating AI into your workflow? I'd love to hear what's worked for you.

Let’s stop overcomplicating AI. One of the most immediate productivity wins? Using AI to record and transcribe your meetings—accurately and automatically. ✅ If you’re on Google Workspace → try Gemini ✅ If you’re in the Microsoft ecosystem → use Copilot ✅ If you use neither → Otter.ai is a solid option I personally love These tools don’t just transcribe. They extract action items, create to-do lists, flag deadlines, and even sync with platforms like Slack or Gmail to follow up. Most importantly: they let you stay present in the conversation, instead of toggling between listening and note-taking. A quick reminder—always disclose that your meeting is being recorded or that an AI tool is present. (Most apps announce it automatically.) This isn’t just about tech. It’s about presence, clarity, and working smarter. Are you using AI to support your meetings yet? Would love to hear what’s working for you.

I automated my entire team's workflow—and then THIS happened. Ever wonder what would happen if your team could complete a week's worth of work in a single day? Sounds like a dream, right? Well, that's exactly what we achieved. A few months back, I noticed my team was bogged down with repetitive tasks. Brilliant minds were spending hours on mundane activities. So, I decided to take a bold step. We invested in automating these tasks. The initial push was challenging: - Learning new tools - Changing long-standing processes - Overcoming resistance to change But the payoff was incredible. Results: - Productivity skyrocketed: We accomplished more in less time. - Stress levels dropped: The team felt less overwhelmed. - Innovation flourished: Free time led to creative solutions. - Employee satisfaction increased: Work became more fulfilling. The most surprising outcome? Our team cohesion strengthened. With less time on grunt work, we collaborated more on strategic projects. The takeaway? Automation isn't about replacing people. It's about freeing them to do what they do best. Embrace technology to unlock your team's true potential. Have you implemented automation in your work?

Gmail is a powerful tool for administrative professionals looking to streamline their workflow and enhance productivity. Here are some quick tips to use Gmail more efficiently: 1.     Utilize Keyboard Shortcuts: Gmail offers a range of keyboard shortcuts that can significantly speed up your email management. Enable shortcuts in your settings and learn the basics like 'c' to compose a new message, 'e' to archive, and '/' to search your mail. 2.     Create Filters and Labels: Organize your emails automatically by setting up filters to label, archive, star, or forward your mail based on specific criteria. This helps manage large volumes of incoming mail and keeps important emails from getting lost. 3.     Use the Schedule Send Feature: Prepare emails ahead of time and schedule them to be sent later. This is perfect for managing communication across different time zones or ensuring messages are sent at optimal times. 4.     Employ Templates: If you often send similar responses, use Gmail’s template feature (formerly known as 'Canned Responses'). This allows you to save and reuse common message formats without rewriting them. 5.     Integrate with Google Tasks and Calendar: You can directly add emails to Google Tasks or create Calendar events from emails. This integration ensures you keep track of follow-up actions and deadlines directly from your inbox. 6.     Leverage Advanced Search Operators: Master Gmail’s advanced search operators to find specific emails quickly. For example, searching 'from:example@mail.com has: attachment' will show all emails from that sender with an attachment. 7.     Utilize Smart Compose and Smart Reply: Enable these AI-driven features to help you write emails faster. Smart Compose suggests text as you type, while Smart Reply offers quick responses based on the received email. 8.     Configure Desktop Notifications: To stay on top of critical emails, set up desktop notifications to alert you when specific emails arrive, especially from important clients or team members. 9.     Manage Emails with Stars and Importance Markers: Stars and importance markers highlight emails that need urgent attention or follow-up, helping you prioritize your workload effectively. 10. Use Confidential Mode: When sending sensitive information, use Gmail’s confidential mode to set expiration dates for messages or revoke access anytime, adding an extra layer of security to your communications. By utilizing these features, administrative professionals can handle their email tasks more effectively, saving time and increasing their productivity in the workplace.

When your most capable (and most expensive) minds spend half their day in meetings, but outcomes rely on memory, you’re essentially running your business on Snapchat, where communication is ephemeral and actionability hinges on recall. Agentic AI transforms ephemeral conversations into persistent, strategic assets that compound in value over time. Leaders can now extract insights automatically, generate agendas from past discussions, and invite only the necessary people, while ensuring the output is broadly accessible. Instead of vanishing into thin air, meetings become a searchable, mineable system of record that fuels organizational intelligence — whether or not you were in the room. https://lnkd.in/g5F4prwH via GeekWire, Mark Briggs, Read AI

This year I'm committed to working with technology to make my life easier. For me, it starts with leaning into AI. As leaders and professionals, we have countless opportunities to use AI to streamline tasks, free up time, and focus on what truly matters. Here are four simple ways you can start using AI as soon as tomorrow to do more of the work that energizes you and be fully present where it counts. 1. Summarize Reports: We're constantly are inundated with data including market trends, financial reports, and internal analytics. AI can help analyze lengthy reports and extract key insights, saving hours of manual review. Instead of sifting through pages of information, try AI-generated summaries to quickly grab concise takeaways. 2. Refine Emails: The right message can inspire action, move the needle, or strengthen relationships. AI-powered writing assistants can help craft clear, persuasive, and professional emails that resonate with your reader while maintaining your unique voice. 3. Proofread Your Writing: The details matter when crafting reports, proposals, or public statements. AI-powered proofreading goes beyond spell-checking—it analyzes grammar, sentence structure, and tone to ensure flawless, compelling writing to maintain your professionalism. 4. Create Meeting Agendas: Meetings should be strategic and results-driven, not a drain on productivity. AI can generate structured and goal-oriented agendas that keep discussions focused and actionable. If you have goals for your meeting but aren’t sure how to structure the discussion or prioritize key points, AI can help. The Bottom Line: AI isn’t replacing professionals—it’s empowering them. By integrating AI into daily workflows, leaders and business professionals can enhance productivity, sharpen decision-making, and communicate with greater clarity and confidence. What's one task AI has simplified in your life? ⬇️ #UsingAI #AITips #AIforProfessionals #ProductivityHacks #AIProductivity

Four quick ways to dramatically reduce distractions: (Pick just one and you'll still benefit!) Pick up your phone and: 1. Adjust your colorful screen to grayscale. 2. Disable most notifications. Batch others. 3. Set daily time limits by app/app category. 4. Put your phone out of reach and/or sight. People often tell me they struggle to focus. It's something I'd noticed increasingly in myself, too. And then I realized I could greatly improve my focus by setting myself up for focus by removing distractions. Which both increase focus and reduce stress. So last year I began with notifications. Removing the super random ones, and batching most of the rest into three chosen times: 9am, 3pm, 7pm. I then reduced the color on my screen. Full grayscale didn't display well in certain apps but subtle color did. And finally I set the app/phone time limits. And when I did I realized I often hit them before 10am. Yikes. Do I override the limits sometimes? YES. But when I do I now put the phone down much faster. I also kept a handful of notifications - eg family texts - real time. As we begin a new week, if you've found yourself distracted, which of these will you try? And what have I missed? If this post resonated, you can help others see it with your reactions, comments & reposts. Together we can improve our focus - and overall wellbeing. *** Hi, I'm Sally! Click follow (+) for more on workplace wellbeing, personal growth, human resilience, meaningful connection, cancer survivorship & more. #wellbeing #technology #productivity

As a software engineer juggling ADHD and PTSD, I've had to get creative with my work habits. Here's a peek into the strategies that keep me productive. 👨💻🎧 🔊 Loud Music for Laser Focus Forget lo-fi — give me that high-energy beat to lock in my concentration and keep my mind from drifting. 🖥️ Single Screen, Singular Focus Despite the popularity of multi-monitor setups, a single screen minimizes distractions and maximizes my coding flow. 🚫 Strategic Meeting Minimization Meetings can be a significant flow disruptor. I now schedule a dedicated four-hour block for uninterrupted coding, significantly boosting my output. 📴 Phone Coffin: Out of Sight, Out of Mind My phone goes into a literal coffin, and my watch gets docked. If it's urgent, Slack or Teams is the way to reach me. 🔕 Do Not Disturb: My Silent Ally DND mode is non-negotiable during my focused coding blocks to keep those pings and dings at bay. ⏲️ The Countdown Timer Technique A physical timer sets the boundary for my work sprints, helping me stay on track and reminding me when to take a break. 🤖 AI Tools: My Secret Sauce From scheduling with Motion to note-taking with Notion, AI tools help me stay organized and in the zone. And Copilot? It's my co-coding companion that lets me stay in my editor longer. These are my adjustments to keep me coding at my best. If you're navigating similar challenges or seeking focus-enhancing tips, I hope these insights inspire you. Stay productive, and keep coding! #CodingWithADHD #ProductivityHacks #SoftwareDevelopment #MentalHealthAwareness

Are you using AI in the most productive way? Many people use AI for quick wins—like drafting emails or summarizing meetings. That’s good, but there’s a better way. Instead of just tossing tasks at AI, have a conversation with it. Delegate, don't abdicate. Here's what I mean:  ✔️ Good: Ask AI to conduct a search.  ✅ Better: Have AI do an in-depth review of studies, summarize key takeaways, and provide source links.  ✔️ Good: Use AI to draft an email or report.  ✅ Better: Write a rough version yourself, then tell AI what you don’t like about it so it can suggest improvements in the exact tone and style you need.  ✔️ Good: Ask AI to summarize a meeting.  ✅ Better: Have AI extract key action items, assign them to team members, and suggest next steps.  ✔️ Good: Use AI to brainstorm ideas.  ✅ Better: Give AI constraints like budget, audience, and timeline so it generates realistic, actionable ideas instead of generic ones. It’s not about replacing what you do—it’s about making space for your most valuable work. The stuff you do best! What’s another tip you'd suggest to improve the way we use AI? #productivity #success #bestadvice #davecrenshaw

⁉️How do you manage it all? ⁉️How do you find time for yourself amidst the whirlwind of meetings at work, coaching sessions, family time, gym and public speaking? This is generally the first question asked when people meet me. 😜My answer starts with , "I don't have it all figured out myself.", "I am work in progress", I have systems in place, but they are all adaptable to change. ✅The serious answer lies in strategic multitasking and meticulous time management which work majority of time! Sharing at the start of 2024 for you all as well, my take on balancing the scales, with actionable tips that each one of you can incorporate: 1. Prioritize and Plan: Every Sunday evening, I sit with a cup of tea and plan my week. I use tools like Microsoft Office 365 outlook calendar to allocate time slots for work, family, fitness, and self-improvement. This isn’t just about work; it’s about life. Remember, if it’s not on the calendar, it’s not happening. 2. Efficient Multitasking: I love listening to podcasts and TEDx talks, Blinkist during gym time . So, it’s a double win - staying fit while fueling my mind with innovative ideas and leadership strategies. 3. Tech to the Rescue: As a tech leader, I lean heavily on technology to streamline my tasks. Again outlook, onenote, Sticky notes, Azure Dev Ops for automating repetitive tasks save me precious hours every week. I used focus time, schedule send for my emails, my social media posts. I write those in my lunch/free time and schedule them in advance. Even this post, I am writing on a Saturday night which will go live on Monday 1/8 morning PST :). 4. Delegation is Key: I’ve learned to delegate both at work and home and be OK with that. It’s about trusting your team and family members to handle tasks. This not only empowers them but also frees up your time for critical thinking and strategic planning. 5. Quality over Quantity: Whether it’s a work project, time with my kids, or a gym session, I focus on making each moment count. Mom guilt is always there but again think about quality and your relationship with kids. 6. Mindfulness and Self-care: Amidst the hustle, it’s crucial not to lose yourself. I meditate in morning and ensure to have a ‘me-time’ that lets me unwind and reflect. Stepping away helps in productivity too. ✨ Here's what I would suggest: Start small. Pick one area of your life you’d like to manage better. Plan it out, use a tool to help you, and stick to the schedule. Remember, the key to multitasking isn't doing everything simultaneously; it’s about efficiently managing your time to do what matters most. Prioritize ruthlessly. 💬 I’d love to hear your strategies and tools you use as well. Let’s share with all and grow/learn together! #Leadership #TimeManagement #WomenInTech #LifeBalance #whyblendin #keynotespeaker #careercoach #linkedincreator #communications