Still using Post-it notes? Stuck in boring meetings? There are better ways to work and make use of your time. Here are some of the life hacks used by leading figures in the tech industry to make their lives – and endless meetings – easier and more productive.
From getting to inbox zero to spending more time on Facebook (no, really), here are the productivity tips your life needs.
Use your voice
"I love the simplicity of using Siri. The potential for voice activation to open up technology to sections of the population who haven't previously been digitally engaged is something that I think can have a transformative effect on people’s lives." Kevin Cunnington, director general, Government Digital Service
Ignore the internet
"I couldn’t work without Freedom, the digital tool that stops me from accessing the internet while I’m on my computer. It lets me write books without the endless distraction of dumb emails and even dumber social media updates. I pay for Freedom (from $2.42 a month). But that buys me attention – one of the most scarce and valuable commodities of the digital age." Andrew Keen, author
Organise with cards
"Trello helps me stay organised and proactive. I have Trello boards for random to-dos such as calling a friend or my dentist. I also have boards for more comprehensive projects such as product releases and long-term strategy." Yunha Kim, founder and CEO, Simple Habit
Hack inbox zero
"Todoist – I use it to get to "inbox zero". I have shared projects with my husband and my virtual assistant. I love it for jotting down plays that friends recommend, books I want to read, and fun places to take my children." Christine Foster, managing director for innovation, The Alan Turing Institute
Facebook isn't all bad
"Facebook Workplace is a really valuable tool for the whole Deliveroo team. We use it for real-time communication across our global offices, meaning different teams can learn from best practice and share ideas. It improves performance as well as embedding a company culture of openness and constant dialogue." Will Shu, co-founder and CEO, Deliveroo
Talk to everyone
"Meetings where all parties are in a completely unfamiliar setting have always turned out well for me. Eat food together in the dark or speak to a stranger on the bus. You never know who you’re sitting next to unless you ask!" Lauren Bowker, creative director, THEUNSEEN
Don't hold meetings
"Our number-one meeting strategy is to not have a meeting at all. We genuinely strive to have no meetings, but if we do have to have one, then it has to have a specific goal, it cannot be booked way in advance, and it must involve as few people as possible." Charlie Pool, CEO, Stowga
All ideas matter
"The traditional meeting is a dated concept. At Trainline, small, mission-based, cross-functional teams sit together and meet informally throughout the day. It means decisions are made, and actioned, in an agile way. It gives everyone at every level the opportunity to share ideas informally, and nurtures creativity and innovation." Clare Gilmartin, CEO, Trainline
Don't always speak
"We start each week in a ‘Weekly Impact Meeting’, designed for each department to communicate what they’re doing that week. This is not a status meeting; we encourage teams to say nothing if their work doesn’t have immediate impact. We normally complete it in 20 minutes, and it’s recorded and posted for download." Scott Walchek, founder and CEO, Trov
Walk and talk
"Walking meetings have been a game-changer for us. They work great for up to three people. Instead of sitting behind closed doors, we take a stroll in a nearby park. The dynamic of the conversation is very different, and the discussion is more productive." Matthias Henze, co-founder and CEO, Jimdo
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
