Productivity is an Intangible ROI

Building processes, creating structure, getting organized, managing projects better: all businesses want these type of productivity-related things. But why? Improving productivity does not guarantee a direct monetary ROI (return on investment). It’s not money in equals money out. It’s much more of an intangible ROI.

Being more productive doesn’t guarantee that every project will finish on time, stay within budget, or go as planned. It doesn’t promise a better work-life balance. Yet, businesses everywhere keep striving for it. And there’s a good reason.

A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that companies in the top 25% of productivity are 50% more profitable than those in the bottom 25%. That’s a clear sign that improving productivity gives businesses a real edge—even if the payoff isn’t always obvious at first. So, what makes this intangible ROI so important?

Intangible ROI

Investing in yourself does give you positive results. Investment in your “infrastructure” (one of the latest buzzwords) means that you are setting the path to making great things happen. But, you have to walk the path to get that intangible ROI! In other words, once the structure is there, you still have to use it.

Beyond the Chaos can’t guarantee that you will make more money by working with Susan Fennema. But, it can guarantee that without investing in your business this way, you will struggle to repeat successes. You will struggle to grow. You will struggle to be nimble. Projects will go unfinished. You will keep giving away value. You will frustrate your clients when you are over budget. Employees won’t stay. And, at the end of the day, when it comes time to sell your business, all you will have is your client list. You won’t have any sort of infrastructure that would empower a new owner to continue to service those clients as they have come to expect.

Common Time-Wasting Activities in the Workplace You Should Avoid

Improving productivity doesn’t just come from building processes—it also means recognizing what’s holding you back. Some workplace habits seem harmless but can eat away at your time and energy. Here are a few common ones to look out for:

Meetings Without Purpose

How often do meetings feel productive? Too many lack clear goals or involve people who don’t need to be there. Before calling a meeting, ask yourself if an email or shared document could work instead.

Interruptions

A quick question here, a ping there—it adds up. Constant interruptions can make it impossible to focus, leaving you scrambling to catch up. Setting boundaries for deep work time can help.

Multitasking

The myth of multitasking is hard to shake. But the reality? Switching between tasks often slows you down and leads to mistakes. Staying focused on one thing at a time makes a bigger impact.

Procrastination

Putting off hard tasks doesn’t make them easier. In fact, it often makes them more stressful. Tackling these first can set a productive tone for the day.

Strategies to Boost Team Productivity with Effective Project Management

Improved productivity often starts with better project management. When your team has clear goals and the right tools, they can focus on work that truly matters. Here are a few strategies that work well with tools like Teamwork.com, Slack, Hubspot, and PandaDoc, which are supported by Beyond the Chaos:

1. Set Clear Expectations Using Teamwork.com

Teamwork.com is perfect for creating clarity. Assign tasks, set deadlines, and outline priorities so your team knows exactly what needs to be done. A clear project roadmap helps prevent confusion and keeps everyone aligned.

2. Streamline Communication with Slack

Avoid lengthy email chains that waste time. Slack offers real-time messaging, file sharing, and organized channels, ensuring communication stays quick and effective—without interrupting focus.

3. Centralize Client and Lead Management with Hubspot

Productivity isn’t just internal. Managing client interactions with Hubspot ensures every lead, follow-up, and project detail is centralized. This reduces the chance of missed opportunities or redundant efforts.

4. Simplify Document Handling with PandaDoc

Manual document processes waste valuable hours. PandaDoc automates contracts, proposals, and agreements, saving time and eliminating repetitive admin tasks. It’s an easy win for both you and your clients.

Results from Improved Infrastructure

How do you measure things such as “relief”, “peace of mind”, and “have a life”? That’s what clients say after they’ve begun working on becoming more productive. Besides becoming more efficient, which in and of itself doesn’t mean much if you are doing the wrong things, going through the exercise of building processes helps you figure out what the right things are. In other words, it makes you more effective.

We don’t know how much more money you can make if you finish your projects. But, we know you will! We can’t guarantee a certain dollar amount return if you develop a process. But, we know that you will stop wondering what to do next and stop responding to the squeakiest wheel. Instead, you can work in a less frantic, more planned environment. In other words, you will stop fighting fires all day. You can focus on preventing them.

And your clients will love you for it.

As you start to plan for next year, think about how setting up a process will help your team, your projects, and your clients. And, think about how that will count toward the bottom line. While it’s not money in/money out, there is definitely an ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why should goals be reviewed regularly for productivity?

Regularly reviewing goals helps ensure that priorities remain aligned with the bigger picture. It allows you to adjust plans if circumstances change and keeps you focused on what matters most, avoiding wasted effort on less important tasks.

Why is multitasking not recommended for productivity?

Multitasking divides your attention, which can lead to mistakes and slower progress. Focusing on one task at a time helps you work more efficiently and produce better results, saving time in the long run.

How can setting reminders enhance productivity?

Reminders help you stay on track by ensuring you don’t forget important tasks or deadlines. They reduce mental clutter, allowing you to focus on the task at hand without worrying about what’s next.