How A Work Schedule App Can Boost Your Business

How A Work Schedule App Can Boost Your Business

When you are in charge of an entire organization, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re always behind the eight-ball. Juggling employee schedules, customer appointments, and other commitments can be difficult to manage on your own. Thankfully, there is a solution that can help make your life easier: work schedule apps.

A work schedule app can help boost your business by making it easier for you to keep track of everything that’s going on. With an app, you can create and manage employee schedules with ease, see who is available for shifts, and get reminders about upcoming appointments. Additionally, many work schedule apps offer features like GPS tracking and customer reviews that can help you improve your business operations.

However, it’s not enough to simply choose and implement a work schedule app; you need to make sure that you are using it effectively. In today’s article, we’ll discuss some tips for getting the most out of your work schedule app, as well as the benefits your company can gain from using one.

Let’s get started!

What is a work schedule app?

Usually, employee schedules are created and managed by managers using desktop software such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. However, with the growing number of employees who work remotely, or who have shifting schedules that change week to week, it can be difficult for managers to keep track of who is working when.

This is where a work schedule app comes in handy. By allowing employees to view their schedules and submit time-off requests online or via a mobile app, businesses can save time and money, while also ensuring that employees are aware of their work schedule at all times.

a left hand holding an Apple pencil while a work schedule app shows on their iPad screem

In simple terms, a work schedule app is a mobile or online tool that enables employees to view their work schedules and submit time-off requests, all from their smartphone or computer. Work scheduling apps vary, but most offer a variety of features, such as the ability to:

  • View schedules and request time off
  • Notify employees of shift changes or last-minute assignments
  • Clock in and out for work
  • Upload notes about their shift
  • View earnings statements and other payroll information

Additionally, some apps offer managers the ability to:

  • Create and manage employee schedules
  • Approve or deny time-off requests
  • Clock employees in and out for work
  • View payroll information

Why do you need a work schedule app for your business?

There are many reasons to implement a work schedule app, and the benefits are well worth your investment of time and/or resources.

1. Improved efficiency — By automating your scheduling process and communicating with employees through the app, you can expect a more streamlined operation that is less prone to error.

2. Greater staff productivity — A work schedule app enables employees to easily see their upcoming shifts, which reduces confusion and allows them to plan their time accordingly. This leads to increased productivity as employees are not wasting time trying to figure out their schedules.

3. Enhanced communication — The app provides a central location for all communication regarding shifts, which eliminates the need for employees to constantly check with one another or with management. This allows everyone to stay on top of their work and prevents any scheduling conflicts.

4. Improved customer service — When employees are properly prepared for their shifts, it leads to a better overall customer experience. Happy customers mean more business and more referrals!

5. Increased flexibility — By using an app, businesses can easily accommodate last-minute changes or unexpected absences. This flexibility is a huge advantage for businesses that are constantly changing and growing.

a person using a work schedule app on their iPad

A work schedule app can be an extremely valuable tool for any business. It can help to improve communication, efficiency, productivity, customer service, and flexibility. If you are looking for a way to boost your business, then a work schedule app is a great place to start.

Finding the perfect work schedule app for your organization

Depending on the size of your business, you may need a work schedule app that is tailored specifically for you. There are many types of apps on the market, and it can be difficult to determine which one is right for your organization. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a work schedule app:

How many employees do you have?

If you have a small business with a few employees, you may want to consider an app that is easy to use and allows for individual scheduling. There are many apps on the market that are designed for this type of business.

How often do your employees need to change their schedules?

If your employees’ schedules change frequently, you may want to consider an app that allows for last-minute changes. This will ensure that employees are able to stay up-to-date with their schedule changes.

What type of communication do you prefer?

Some work schedule apps allow for communication between employees and their managers. If this is something you are interested in, be sure to find an app that offers this type of communication.

a person showing the contents of their black notebook to someone sitting beside them

How much do you want to spend?

Work schedule apps can range in price from free to several hundred dollars. It is important to find an app that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

Once you have determined the type of work schedule app that is best for your business, be sure to test it out before making a purchase. This will ensure that the app is a good fit for your organization.

Implementing your app for optimal outcomes

Once you have found the perfect app to suit your business’s needs, there are a number of steps you should take in order to properly implement it and ensure the best possible outcomes.

  1. Make sure all employees are aware of and understand the app’s functions. To do this, you can hold training sessions or provide manuals that outline how to use the app.
  2. Assign specific roles to employees within the app. This will help ensure that everyone knows their responsibilities and can more easily navigate the app.
  3. Regularly monitor employee usage of the app and make changes/adjustments as necessary. Frequent reviews can help ensure that the app is being used effectively and meeting your business’s needs.
  4. Periodically evaluate the app to see if it is still providing value. Technology changes rapidly, so it’s important to periodically assess whether the app is still serving its purpose.

Once you have been using your new work schedule app for a while, you should review and revise your procedures as needed. Ensure that you are getting the most out of your new app and that your employees are using it in the best way possible.

Ask yourself (and your team if applicable) the following reflective questions:

  • How does using the app make your work easier?
  • What tasks or functions within the app are most helpful to you?
  • Do you require more training on how to use certain features of the app?
  • Is there a way that you and/or your employees can collaborate on the app to make it work even better for you?

By answering these questions, you can help to improve your team’s productivity and get the most out of your new work schedule app.

a person writing on a note pasted on their refrigerator door

Using a work schedule app to boost your business

After implementing your work schedule app, it’s time to learn how to use it to your advantage. Here are some tips on how you can best use the app to boost your business:

Keep track of absolutely everything.

The app is a great way to keep track of absences, hours worked, pay rates and more. Observe everything that happens in your business, and you’ll be able to solve any issue that comes up quickly and efficiently.

The different tasks you should be tracking are:

  • Employees — hours worked, sick days, vacation days
  • Tasks — what is being done, when it is due, who is working on it
  • Payroll — wages, deductions, tax information
  • Expenses — track spending and budgeting for your company

Create different schedules.

With a work schedule app, you can easily create different schedules for each employee. This will help keep everyone organized and aware of their specific responsibilities.

You can also create shift schedules, which will help manage employee hours more efficiently. This is especially helpful for businesses with variable hours or those that operate on a rotating schedule.

Send schedules to employees.

Once you have created a schedule, you’ll want to send it to your employees. This will ensure that everyone is aware of their hours and responsibilities.

You can either email the schedules or post them in a common area where all employees can see them. If you have a smartphone app, you can even send the schedules directly to your employees’ phones.

a person wearing a gray sweater while writing on a notepad

Make changes as needed.

The great thing about a work schedule app is that you can easily make changes as needed. If an employee calls in sick or if there is a last minute change in the schedule, you can easily update the app.

This flexibility helps to ensure that everyone is always aware of the latest changes and that no one is left wondering what they are supposed to be doing.

Use colors and tags to organize schedules.

If you have a lot of employees or if you are working on multiple projects, you may find it helpful to use colors and tags to organize your schedules. This will make it easy to find the schedule that you require and to quickly get an overview of all of your current projects.

Use tracking data to increase productivity and improve efficiency.

Work schedule apps produce data like hours worked, time off, and payroll. This data can be used to help business owners better understand their current workflows and identify areas where they may be able to improve efficiency.

a person using a work schedule app on their tablet

To interpret the data, business owners can use tools such as workforce analytics software. This type of software takes the tracking data and creates visual representations of it so that business owners can see how their employees are working and where they may need to make changes.

For example, if an owner sees that a lot of time is being wasted on tasks that could be automated, they might invest in tools like a time tracking software to help reduce that wasted time.

Last minute tips for making the most of your work schedule app

In closing, we’ve put together a list of short-and-sweet tips on how to manage employee schedules using a work schedule app.

1. Keep an eye on how the app is being used, especially in the early stages. Adjust schedules and settings as needed.

2. Make sure employees are using the app to its fullest potential. Show them how to use it and what benefits they can reap from it.

3. Communicate with employees regularly, letting them know about changes or updates to the work schedule app.

4. Encourage employees to provide feedback on the app and how it can be improved.

5. Regularly back up your work schedule data in case of device or app failure.

6. Train new employees on how to use the work schedule app and its features.

7. Celebrate successes! Let employees know when they’ve done a good job and that their hard work is appreciated.

Work Schedule App: Bottom Line

Implementing a new workflow app can feel arduous and time-consuming, but the benefits for your business can be tremendous. Not only will you and your employees be more organized and productive, you’ll also have a better understanding of how your company functions as a whole.

By putting in the hours and spending some time researching different apps, you can find the perfect tool to help your business excel. It’ll run like a well-oiled machine in no time!