Building an effective and dependable team is a labor of love. The right people can help launch your business into new realms with increased revenue and better service. But your company culture plays a significant role in whether your team members stay—and neglecting your tech systems can lead to a high turnover rate.
After all, business technology is designed to support your employees. By investing in the right software, you can help them to feel empowered and confident in their roles. On the flip side, lacking tech solutions can leave them feeling overloaded and burnt out.
To achieve sustainable business success, you must prioritize team longevity by providing employees with the resources they need to thrive. Here are a few ways to leverage tech tools to keep your team—and your business—in top form.
Streamlining communication & collaboration
Effective collaboration is critical for successful event planning, and it starts (and ends) with your company’s internal communication. From discussing client expectations to coordinating with fellow industry professionals, modern communication tools ensure everyone stays informed on the team’s progress in each event.
Real-time messaging platforms, like Slack, Voxer, and Microsoft Teams, allow for quick check-ins, team huddles, and private messages between individuals. They can also serve as digital watercoolers, encouraging team bonding and better work-life balance.
Project management software is another useful tool for supporting collaboration within your team. Programs like Basecamp, Trello, and Asana provide a “home base” for project-related communications, task assignments, and important attachments.
Enhancing workflow & task management
Managing complex event workflows involves many moving pieces, demanding significant time and attention to keep a project on track. Even if your team shares responsibilities, it’s easy for small details to slip through the cracks when every step requires manual oversight.
Fortunately, modern advancements in technology have paved the way for accessible and affordable automation solutions. Many popular business platforms offer native automation features, allowing technology to share your team’s workload. A few examples include ClickUp, Monday, and AirTable. And when it comes to the client-facing booking process, Rock Paper Coin can be another easy automation to make contracting and invoicing seamless.
Trigger-based workflows let your team step away from the minutiae and put their efforts into higher-level tasks that have a greater impact on your company’s success. For instance, when software can automatically send invoice reminders on a set schedule, your team can focus on generating leads and closing more sales.
Providing training & growth opportunities
Job stagnation is one of the most common reasons people leave jobs, even if they’re well-paid and otherwise content. Nobody wants to feel bored at work, especially when they know there is no room for growth. So if you want to increase team longevity, it’s vital to provide your employees with opportunities for skill development.
Continuing education comes in many forms and at every price point, so look for cost-effective ways to invest in your team’s future. For example, you can send them to industry conferences or niche workshops to learn from experienced professionals. If that doesn’t fit your budget, take advantage of e-learning platforms, digital courses, and educational webinars
for a low-cost alternative. Sharing relevant books and podcast episodes can also motivate your team to continue learning.
In addition to boosting job satisfaction, investing in your team’s education also supports your business goals. When your employees learn new skills and improve in their roles, the results will ripple throughout the company, enhancing everything from project management to client experience.
Promoting employee well-being & engagement
With the rise in remote work over the past few years, more companies have recognized the value of a hybrid work environment. Allowing employees to work from home (or while traveling) demonstrates trust and encourages autonomy. It also reduces life stress for your team, as they have more flexibility to schedule doctor’s appointments, pick up children from school, and attend to other essential duties.
But remote work requires a digital workspace that promotes virtual collaboration, so you must start by building a robust foundation on technology. In addition to the tools mentioned previously, you’ll need a reliable video communication platform. Zoom, Google Meet, Zoho, and GoToMeeting are all popular options.
You may also want to consider your team’s specific needs. For example, if your company bills by the hour, you might need a time-tracking system like Toggl or Harvest. For finances and payroll management, Quickbooks and Gusto are solid choices. Loom is another valuable tool for remote teamwork, as it allows one to screen-record and share with colleagues.
Adopting new technology can escalate your team’s performance, but you don’t need to overhaul your systems overnight. Too much change can leave your employees feeling overwhelmed instead of empowered. Instead, share ideas for tech updates with your team and see what they think will most impact their daily work experience. You’ll feel confident in your investments, and your employees will appreciate the chance to share their input—another bonus for team longevity!
Nora Sheils is the founder of award-winning planning firm Bridal Bliss and co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, a client management platform that offers a streamlined approach to contract, invoicing, and payment processing for the wedding and event industry. Nora has also been heralded as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry by Eventex. More recently, Rock Paper Coin was celebrated by the Stewie Awards as the Best Startup in Technology Services.
