Creating a Work-Life Balance in an “Always On” Workplace

During times of uncertainty and rapid change, flow states are being used as a tool by high performers and teams to do their best work. From 5-star restaurants to professional sports teams. Being able to dial into Flow State means to get out of our head and into the game, effectively multiplying our results and happiness. What are some moments that flow state might assist us and our team? Restaurant – Friday or Saturday Dinner Rush Cafe – Sunday Brunch Hotel – honored guest, celebrity, star or politician Flow states are notorious for delivering premium art, work, meals and the champion of productivity. Discover in this article what are flow states are, what are some of the benefits of getting into a flow state and how to initiate a group flow state for our hospitality, office, hospital or kitchen team. What is the Flow State? We have probably heard pro athletes or musicians talk about this moment when they are fully engulfed in what they are doing. When there is no thought. Just the action and being one with the activity to deliver our best results in what they call Flow’. Flow states go through 4 phases: Struggle Release FLOW Recovery New York Times best-selling author and award-winning journalist Steven Kotler is the master of flow state. Co-founder and director of research for the Flow Genome Project, Kotler and his team have identified three different types of flow states we can experience Individual flow states Group flow states Community flow states Think of the energy we experience at a concert with thousands of people singing together? That’s a community flow state in action! So, what are Flow states? The merger of action and awareness – full immersion into the task at hand Intense concentration on the present Loss of self-consciousness and track of time Sense of control (flowing with the activity versus trying to complete it) Distortion of time The sensation that the task is intrinsically rewarding Now that we have dived into what flow states are and the three different types of flow states, the bigger question is how to trigger group flow states for our teams to maximize. How To Trigger Group Flow State for Our Team Aside from triggering flow states on an individual’s level, group flow states companies can tap their teams into to generate exponential growth. Here are 9 “social triggers” that will help initiate ‘group flow’ for our team: Serious concentration: remove all distractions to maximize attention and concentration on the task Shared, clear goals: a single collective goal that provides enough focus so the group knows when they are close to meeting it, but is open to not stifling creativity Good communication: constant communication to keep the energy going; nothing blocks flow more than ignoring or issues between group members Familiarity: group has a shared knowledge base; is inclusive; uses the same language and their communication style takes into consideration all members of the group Equal participation (and skill level): an example is a professional sports team; Flow is most likely to happen in a group setting when all participants have an equal role in the project and skill level; work as a team Risk: Innovation and failure go hand in hand as does success. The potential for failure drives creative ideas and thinking outside the box Sense of control: choosing our challenge with the skills to complete it; mix between autonomy (free to do what we want) and competency (being good at what we do) Close Listening: being present and listening fully; fixed and a focused-collaborative mindset Always Say Yes: Interactions should be additive, not argumentative; take improve comedy as an example and “run with it” Conclusion – Benefits of Flow State Flow states enable us to be present and in flow with the task at hand. To be able to support each other and meet all customer demands, especially in a fast-paced or high-stress environment such as a reputable Michelin Star restaurant, we have to react and act instantly in a calm state. What are the benefits of entering the Flow State regularly? Helps mental health Multiple’s happiness Reduces anxiety and depression Higher performance in a wider range of highly specialised tasks Increase scientific and artistic creativity Group and individual flow states have been a hot topic identified as delivering incredible results for top creatives, athletes, hospitality workers, students, managers, nearly anyone in any field. Let us know what gets you into your flow state? Perhaps anything that sparked your interest or if the flow state recommendations presented in this article assisting influencing an individual or group flow state! What is the Flow State? How To Trigger Group Flow State for Our Team

How long does it take for your work to create your weekly schedule? How difficult is it to get shifts covered or can we get them covered last minute? Consider this when it comes to spreadsheets and managers creating their weekly staff schedules: On average 140 hours are wasted annually on scheduling done manually with spreadsheets vs scheduling apps. Managers using spreadsheets spend an average of 20% (or 3.14 hours) of their work week just on creating the weekly work schedule. Average 2.64hrs. per week for restaurant, hotel and office managers for creating their team schedules. Depending on the type of place we work or manage whether it’s a local cafe, bar, office or restaurant, chances are we have a system for scheduling staff that might be due for an upgrade. Why Switch from Spreadsheets to a Staff Scheduling App? Aside from the potential learning curve and investment, there are a number of considerations for most managers when switching from spreadsheets to scheduling software and apps. Here are 10 reasons most managers consider switching spreadsheets for scheduling apps to creating their team’s work schedule: Efficiency – most managers go from taking hours each week to only minutes then creating their teams weekly work schedule Availability – last-minute call-outs mean checking available staff and calling in a replacement is a nightmare for most managers, but a couple of clicks and approval for others Communication – notifying staff of schedule or policy changes Planning – prevent double-scheduling and assist in workforce management by scheduling better teams and staff per shift Tracking – keeps better and more accurate track of shifts and staff hours Compliance – where spreadsheets need manual checks, scheduling apps can automatically check all shits meet licensed staff requirements Task Management – spreadsheets might not get updated, where a project or shift manager needs to be able to see the tasks assigned to their team to know what they need to be working on Automation – manager can automate sending timecards or reports, trigger messages to be sent to staff to record their time or clock in-out, or a number of other tasks with scheduling software Scalability – spreadsheets or some traditional scheduling software can be limited when it comes to affordably growing your team, requiring time or financial investment scheduling apps save Integration – your spreadsheets might integrate with QuickBooks – but what about your HR, CRM, POS, or Payroll system? Benefits of a Work Scheduling App Nowadays nearly everyone in the work-force has a smartphone. From 2017-2011 smartphone users worldwide increased by 49.89%. Whether it is happier employees, less stressed managers, or saving money through efficient scheduling, there are a number of benefits to having the right scheduling software for our team. Scheduling software can: Reduce time spent managing schedules by 80% and Labour costs by over 3% Some of the benefits when it comes to staff scheduling apps are: Better records to meet regulatory compliance requirements Transparent labour and cost tracking Better time and workforce management Better forecasting and shift coverage Reduce staff turnover and increase retention It’s a common headache for managers that are sending staff schedules via email (or still using  paper) staff can occasionally miss shifts or use not getting the schedule as an excuse. This is where apps come in handy for scheduling, more specifically to prevent buddy punching and to capture important information like if they are at the shop and what time exactly, they leave. Scheduling apps solve this issue. Conclusion – Spreadsheets Cost While Scheduling Apps Save If we are sending our schedule via spreadsheet or posting it online, how difficult is it to swap shifts? To update the schedule so everyone gets the new times? No schedule is bulletproof or perfect. It’s common for last-minute changes, swaps, or cancellations altogether. That’s why it’s wiser to consider how much time we would save (and money) for our business if we were able to track, updated, and communicate about the schedule in a straightforward and easy way. The introduction of cost-effective and powerful cloud or AI-powered apps is making some of the leading rostering and scheduling software of yesterday double the cost when it comes to maintaining, operating, training or upgrading. Some of the latest advancements in work scheduling apps include: Cloud-based with unlimited storage or user licenses. Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered automation tools. Real-time communication. Integration of apps with other providers (bookkeeping, appointment scheduling apps, HR, accounting, POS, etc.) Predictive analytics and planning tools. Automated timesheet and timecard comparison to flag discrepancies. Automated weekly schedule compliance checks. The rapid digital revolution in the business and consumer app marketplace means a rostering app could solve multiple problems for us as managers, and also additional ones in the business – staff retention/turnover, productivity, or simplifying communication. The majority of apps today offer a free version to try and get us to explore some of the features and benefits. This is how we can discover some of the opportunities we have missed out on thinking we didn’t have the budget. We may find additional productivity within our team, for communicating, tasking, management and scheduling could bring our team to the next level, especially if we have a small to medium-sized business where staff scheduling is key priority. Contact us today to give Tommy a try and discover the ease of automation, communication, and task management. Why Switch from Spreadsheets to a Staff Scheduling App? Benefits of a Work Scheduling App

Aiming for a promotion with more money or more responsibility? There are nine key character traits which will help you reach that ambition: 1. Exude confidence Confidence is crucial for demonstrating leadership material. You should be confident in your decision-making and problem-solving skills and show your ability to lead a team. 2. Be optimistic Having an optimistic outlook is a positive way to boost engagement and employee morale. Be enthusiastic about problem-solving when issues arise with projects and model resilience in recovering from set-backs or failure. 3. Demonstrate strong listening skills Strong listening skills are imperative to gaining a promotion and being a valued member of any team. Listening to team members at every level demonstrates respect and consideration for other opinions and knowledge. Listening means learning, contemplating, pondering and then responding or taking action. 4. Strong relationship and interpersonal skills with manager ‘Managing up’ means working on your relationship with your manager. Having respect for and earning the respect of your manager is more likely to lead to promotion. Taking initiative and becoming more involved in broader aspects of the business will build relationships and interpersonal skills with your manager and other senior employees. 5. Maintain relationships and network regularly Working towards a promotion requires strong relationships with peers, managers and external networks through associations and groups. Building networks of professional contacts plays a key role in moving up the corporate ladder. 6. Provide solutions and advice Employers are more likely to promote employees who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to problem-solving, providing innovative solutions and ideas. Demonstrate your skill in this area by responding enthusiastically to issues when they arise and thinking creatively about potential solutions. Give advice when asked in an objective and positive manner. 7. Do your job and more Your manager will evaluate your performance at set times throughout your employment. An employee who meets their key performance indicators, shows initiative and demonstrates the ability and capacity to do more is more likely to be promoted. Working autonomously and showing the capacity for independent decision making inspires confidence in management. Anticipating and responding to changing customer needs, industry demands, and limitations shows initiative and problem-solving skills. Volunteer for extra responsibilities including the opportunity to mentor junior employees. 8. Define your goals for success Successful people have clearly defined goals with short, medium and long term steps to achieve. Designing these strategic actions and skills to develop, experience to gain, is a surefire path to promotion. Demonstrating your planning skills through discussing your goals with your manager highlights your strengths. 9. Openness to learning An attitude of always learning is a strong and positive mindset that leads to positive personal growth. Challenging situations, learning new skills and gaining new experiences are valuable tools in your path to promotion. Conclusion To make your goal of promotion happen quicker, incorporate these nine traits into your professional repertoire. Exude confidence Be optimistic Demonstrate strong listening skills Strong relationship and interpersonal skills with manager Maintain relationships and network regularly Provide solutions and advice Do your job and more Define your goals for success Openness to learning

Having a customer-centric business makes good sense, but what about your employees? Prioritising employees is important, and here we offer 10 ways to do so: Why you should prioritise employees Employees represent your business, and if their happiness and wellbeing is valued, they are more likely to act as positive ambassadors sharing the value of your brand. The more respected your employees feel, the more they can serve customers’ needs. How do build an employee-first culture Businesses invest a lot in their employees, from wages to benefits and training. Helping attract the best employees, and retain them is a good way to protect your investment. 1. Advocate for employees to be themselves Retaining great employees means harnessing their individuality and potential. A supportive workplace that encourages and rewards diversity, opinions, skills and perspective is a more productive and happier workplace. 2. Communicate One of the best ways to put employees first is to ask for their opinions and suggestions. Many businesses fail to communicate, and this can alienate employees. When someone feels valued, even if their ideas are rejected, they are more willing to work harder and to keep improving their skills. Empowering employees with responsibility and ownership in the direction of the business places employees in the centre. 3. Prioritise wellbeing Observe your employees and ask if they seem to be working longer hours, or struggling to manage their workload. Offer employer resources or flexible working arrangements if needed. 4. Invest in them Training and professional development is an investment in your people, which increases both the employees’ and the businesses’ productivity. Employee assistance programs may help with stress, health club memberships help with wellbeing and social clubs help with connection. Investing in your employees is an investment in the business. 5. Model work-life balance Employers can model work-life balance to encourage this in their employees. Workplaces with better balance have higher retention rates and happier employees. Encourage taking annual leave, leaving at a reasonable time, and taking breaks. 6. Make scheduling easier Planning employee schedules can improve wellbeing by making sure employees have an appropriate work-life balance. Further, managers can reduce planning time by using a scheduling system which streamlines flexible hours, shift changes, swaps and unexpected issues. 7. Be fair, ask for feedback Employees should have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences of working at your business. Perhaps employees feel their positions are not leading to growth, or that a manager is unfairly rewarding only certain employees. Making feedback easy and anonymous when necessary places employees at the centre. Use suggestion boxes, surveys and discussions to ask for and receive feedback. 8. Have a culture of respect Employees should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, and ideas considered without judgment or repercussions. Dismissing an employee’s idea can be offensive and demotivating. Encouraging managers and employees to be open-minded, practice listening skills and be open to suggestions demonstrates a culture of respect and employee centricity. Employees should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, and ideas considered without judgment or repercussions. Dismissing an employee’s idea can be offensive and demotivating. Encouraging managers and employees to be open-minded, practice listening skills and be open to suggestions demonstrates a culture of respect and employee centricity. 9. Organise events Social connection is a big part of working life, and your Human Resources team should organise team building events, holiday parties and other celebrations appropriate to your business. This demonstrates your employee’s value to your business and offers social connection which improves wellbeing and productivity. 10. Reward employees Rewarding effort, performance and attitude can be highly motivating to employees. Read our article ’10 easy steps to motivate your employees at any level’ for ideas. Conclusion While customers are important, employees are vital to the success of your business. Developing a culture of respect for employees means communicating regularly, listening, modelling work-life balance, asking for feedback and rewarding performance and effort. What do you think is the best way to put employees first? Share it with us! Advocate for employees to be themselves Communicate Prioritise wellbeing Invest in them Model work-life balance Be fair, ask for feedback Have a culture of respect Organise events Reward employees

Balancing professional and personal commitments can be challenging for employees. The demands of work can impact family responsibilities, relationships and commitments to volunteering or hobbies. And personal commitments can impact an employees’ ability to fulfill their work responsibilities. However, managing this balance is an important aspect of employee engagement, productivity, and contentment. There are several factors which influence work-life balance including long working hours, insufficient time-off, overtime, and stressful working conditions. Taking a pro-active approach to managing these issues may include: 1. Ask your employees Conducting a survey of your employees to understand their preferences for schedules, hours, workload management and the general working conditions. Reviewing the survey results will help your business understand the needs of your employees. 2. Education Providing education to employees about how to manage work-life balance through personal development training is a positive and pro-active way to manage your employees’ wellbeing. Training can include professional advice and tools to manage and review wellbeing. 3. Offer flexible hours Employees generally prefer a flexible work schedule as it offers greater freedom to balance their personal life and work life. Offering flexible hours may mean flexibility in working days and hours, as long as a minimum number of hours is reached, and work requirements are met. Offering this flexibility may make an important difference to employee wellbeing. 4. Promote breaks Taking regular breaks is associated with better wellbeing. Encourage your team to take breaks from work and set the expectation that everyone prioritises their own wellbeing. 5. Regularly review workloads Reviewing each employee’s workload is an important part of work-life balance. Team meetings can assist in allocating and sharing workload. Checking in with employees can avoid burn-out and reduce stress. 6. Flexible support for parents Flexible working arrangements make life for parents much easier to manage. Parents have a lot of responsibilities and can feel overwhelmed by their commitments. Balancing work-life balance for parents is incredibly challenging, especially during the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Offering equitable benefits for parents including parental leave, childcare, flexible hours and job-sharing would greatly benefit parents. 7. Lead by example Encouraging work-life balance in your team may be as simple as setting the example by working reasonable hours, taking breaks, avoiding emailing after hours and showing your own balanced commitment to your work and personal life. 8. Encourage taking time off Encouraging time off for your employees can avoid burn out and worsening stress. Conclusion Managing personal and family commitments is crucial for employees and with these simple strategies your employees and business can strike the right balance. Ask your employees Education Offer flexible hours Promote breaks Regularly review workloads Flexible support for parents Lead by example Encourage taking time off

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of everyone and through efforts to contain the virus’ spread, businesses have been closed. For those with small businesses reliant on foot traffic, the stress of the pandemic has greatly impacted wellbeing. Further, the requirements to comply with safe operating guidelines have created more work, significantly impacting the already time-poor schedules of small business owners. However, business owners can improve their wellbeing in six key ways: 1. Mental health True wellbeing includes both mental and physical health, and during this pandemic, this has never been truer. Prioritising your mental health through daily meditation offers many benefits. Using an app such as Calm or Mindfulness.com can improve physical pain and relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. 2. Time management Running your own business has numerous advantages, and one of them is the privilege of time. While having control of your own time and work is a major benefit, the responsibilities of time management can create uncertainty and stress. Managing your time through apps or alarms, diaries and reminders can significantly improve your productivity and reduce stress by reducing your to-do list. Allocating time for rest and breaks throughout your day can establish a boundary between your professional and personal life, ultimately improving your wellbeing. 3. Practice a healthy lifestyle Have you experienced pain in the form of a back or headache? Are you wondering why this pain is appearing so suddenly? If you are not taking regular breaks, you may be able to relieve pain by moving regularly. A healthy lifestyle is as important as your profit margin, as ultimately your long-term wellbeing plays a key role in your success. A balanced diet, movement or exercise, doing something you enjoy, and enough rest are key aspects of your healthy lifestyle. During the pandemic, prioritising your wellbeing through reducing tension and stress is more important than ever. 4. Finding support A strong support system is valuable for any small business owner. However, the need for support is significantly higher during a global pandemic. Asking for help is a positive step if you or your business are struggling. Don’t hesitate to seek help for your mental health, or research resources for financial support. By reaching out for help, you can reduce stress, improving your long-term wellbeing. 5. Connect with employees or colleagues If you have employees, remember to connect regularly even if you are working from home. Social connection is vital for wellbeing and can alleviate stress. If you work alone, reach out to colleagues or friends to keep social relationships. Further, through building connections, your business stands to increase future possibilities 6. Keep a mood diary Keeping a mood diary is a powerful tool in managing your wellbeing. By identifying and recording emotions and triggers, you may be able to address the issues causing distress and improve your future wellbeing. Conclusion The global pandemic has impacted small business owners through reduction in profits, safety legislation and operating requirements and changing environments. Business owners can improve their wellbeing by prioritising their mental health, good time management, having a healthy lifestyle, accessing support, social connection and recording their daily emotions and triggers. Mental health Time management Practice a healthy lifestyle Address instances of absenteeism as they occur Finding support Connect with employees or colleagues Keep a mood diary Conclusion

Each of us has our own definition of success. For some, it is a new car, a business making profit, or a management position. Defining success is personal and can be influenced by external opinions. Harvard Business Review studies found ‘busy culture’ or the concept of busyness dramatically impacts productivity and personal growth. Further, by constantly prioritising work, boundaries with the personal lives of employees erode and impact wellbeing and relationships. Successful people avoid busy culture Successful people aim for maximum productivity and effectiveness, prioritising tasks based on their importance and expected impact.To address busy culture in your own life, try these six steps: 1. Redefine productivity Busy culture drives an obsession with the appearance of being busy, encouraging individuals to generate tasks as a marker of success and hard work. Therefore, conquering busyness requires resetting your mindset. By changing how you think, you can change your perception of success. Redefining what productivity means to you opens up the opportunity to refocus your daily schedule. 2. Consider your own values Your own values should guide your decision making about your career, home life and personal view of success. Busy culture relies on the cultural impact of following the lead of others, which can be disrupted by choosing your own path. Determining your own version of success can redirect your time and energy, leading to increased creativity and happiness. 3. Make time for nature Taking time to be outside, whether for exercise, or just with a cup of coffee, can help to improve relaxation and creativity, and reduce stress. Remember to take breaks from your computer, for your physical and mental wellbeing. These breaks are instrumental to staying true to your values and personal goals. 4. Create a personalised schedule Good time management skills are imperative to defeating busy culture. Balancing your time with family, work, exercise and fun is critical for happiness. Further, allocating time for tasks leads to improved effectiveness. Track your time for a few days to see where you are spending too much or too little time. This practice may help you to use your time more effectively. 5. Make time for fun Don’t forget about the activities which you enjoy or are passionate about. Perhaps it is sport, baking or music… When you spend time enjoying yourself, you may be more relaxed, reduce stress and become more able to manage time effectively. 6. Prioritise rest and time away Busy culture relies on the idea that we can work endlessly. However, rest and relaxation are crucial for your wellbeing. Take time with your family or friends, plan a vacation or break. A break from digital devices and social media may help to reduce stress and help your body to recover from particularly challenging periods. Being people-centered means that you should avoid frustrating employees because you’re too strict and avoid them from taking advantage of you. You should know how to balance flexibility and expectations. Conclusion Busy culture impacts productivity by prioritising work for the sake of appearing to be busy and successful. Redefining success by your own values is associated with better wellbeing and improved satisfaction with life. Taking the time to prioritise your work activities, balance your time and increasing rest, is likely to increase your success in the future. Redefine productivity Consider your own values Create a personalised schedule Finding support Make time for fun Prioritise rest and time away Conclusion

Motivating staff to submit accurate timesheets on time, is a challenge for nearly every industry and business. Inaccurate time tracking is estimated to cost over 50 million hours in productivity in the USA alone (Market Research Future, 2020). Timesheet mistakes can usually be attributed to staff being: forgetful, not filling them out correctly, or in the worst cases they think they are a waste of time (even when it is a requirement needed for billing clients for their work). Technology will help avoid timesheets mistakes. Apps or scheduling software help analyse and automate reminder send-outs. Using a collaborative system, where staff can see the value and it matters to them, is far more motivating and inspiring, than getting a big stick. Here are 3 easy tricks you can use at your work to help prevent timesheet mistakes. Whether you want to use the carrot or the stick, depending on your industry and team. 1: Check if Your Scheduling System, Rostering App, or Software Is Difficult or Out-of-Date Many businesses are using out-dated systems, often because they have invested many thousands of dollars for the hardware and/or software. These systems required a steep learning curve to make them work. Whilst most of yester-years’ timesheet software may do the job – just not well! Often at a high cost in man-hours. Timesheet mistakes and issues can easily be traced back to difficult software or apps that are still being used that could easily be replaced. This can save more money in the first 2 months in reclaimed productivity, than the entire cost to switch. Some easy ways to determine if your timesheet system is out of date include: The software or app is no longer supported by the provider. Timesheet app takes forever to load when completing. The software or app crashes frequently. Staff tell you it is difficult to use and navigate. It works to a degree but is limited, dated, and leaves room for errors. Doesn’t have smart features to assist staff when completing their timesheets. Timesheet tracking isn’t its main focus (is an extra feature with other software) such as QuickBooks, SAP Success Factors, etc. Doesn’t offer an app available on mobile devices Team members are growing less engaged. Going for big names or sticking to the same scheduling apps may seem the quick and easy solution. Many times, this turns into a costly decision. Businesses aren’t aware of how far scheduling apps and timesheet software have come, through cloud options. Tommy provides a simplified timesheet App that can be used on your mobile with smart features to help staff. By automating or replacing many of the manual tasks that old timesheet software made so time consuming. The majority of our clients were shocked with how many other issues in their business were resolved (like reducing staff turnover or improving job satisfaction) by just upgrading their software for an app. 2: Time Out Method & Session It might be tempting to send out e-mail blasts about the common errors team members are making with timesheets. But if you are using an out dated system this is just a time wasting exercise. If you are the type that would prefer to be feared and use the stick when it comes to timesheets, why not use the Time Out Method? What is the Time Out Method? Organise a training session for everyone to come together. Make it mandatory while also fun and inviting, call it the “Time Out Session”. This makes it inviting and seem less like a boring work training session or meeting. Structure the session to be informative yet involving, practical and concise yet demonstrative and lively. Address the costs to the business and how it affects them and their raises or pay. Address the common errors people are making and show them the correct way. Have everyone sign a form addressing that they attended and know the right procedure and how to complete it correctly now. Inform staff, now that they are sure of how to complete the timesheets, penalties will occur moving forward for not having accurate timesheets. Use the timeout method (3 strikes in 3 months): 3 strikes – they can’t attend functions, events, work parties, or other critical events. 6 strikes – Goes against them for their next raise or appraisal. 9 strikes – your out. The policy regarding penalties for not completing Timesheets should be harsh enough to motivate them, but not strict enough that it prevents them from focusing or completing their other work. Calling it something like “Time Out” can be used in any way you feel would motivate staff that it is important yet taking into account, some weeks they may slip, so having a system that is compassionate yet stern is the key. 3: Turn It Into A Collaborative Timesheet System Creating a collaborative timesheet system between staff & management means sharing accountability while also making it easier for both. As the saying goes, you can get more bees with honey than vinegar. The same is true for creating a positive culture and buzz around completing timesheets accurately and on time. Some ideas on how to create a collaborative system for accurate timesheets are: Make it Fun Send funny memes or timesheet puns, perhaps jokes to get staff attention. This makes it fun, reminds them, and they may start looking forward to getting their timesheet reminder email if it comes with a laugh. Timesheet Competition Prizes Perhaps the staff member that has the highest accuracy can get a gift or prize? Maybe a dinner voucher, company item, or ½ work day. If company culture permits… pick an outrageous outfit the boss has to wear for a day in the office! Nothing motivates staff more than the chance to share a laugh with the person they respect (and perhaps fear) the most. Timesheet Awards Perhaps a noble or funny title for the best timesheet will work like the “Time Wizard of the Month” for the best and the “xyz” award