TOP 6 PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE FOR BUSINESSES IN NIGERIA 

“Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before.”  

Franz Kafka

Do you go through a lot of stress to keep up with everything you need to run your business? Well, you’re not alone. Today many small businesses want to get more work done in the shortest time and way.With the rapid growth in technology, developers have created softwares and programs that will optimize the user experience while getting more work done.

Organizing a business in Nigeria can be tough, but there is a way to deal with these problems and make your business more productive through the use of  productivity software for businesses in Nigeria.

In this write up , I’ll talk about  how productivity software can change how your business in Nigeria is run.

What is productivity software 

This is also called personal productivity software or office productivity software. Productivity software is a category of application programs and tools that help users produce things such as documents, databases, graphs, spreadsheets and presentations, which help businesses run more smoothly, keep track of their tasks, work together well and get more work done in less time. It is sometimes widened to include any type of application that is used to help people do their jobs, including collaboration and communication programs.

Productivity software is just like digital personal assistance.  It relieves us of the burden of performing manual tasks by completing them automatically on a computer, and saves us valuable time. 

What are the advantages of using productivity software?

1. Increase productivity and Efficiency: With productivity software it is easier to set goals, assign tasks, track progress, and create documents. It help to work more quickly with users 
2. Improved accuracy :Automated features can help reduce human errors in data entry, data analysis and other tasks. Which boosts accuracy.
3. Amazing flexibility :Productivity software often provides a range of ways to view and manipulate data, making it easier to find the information you need and tailor it to your specific needs.
4. Improved collaboration : Many productivity software now include attributes that make it easy to share documents and work on them together with colleagues, which can improve communication and collaboration.
5. Increased Security : Productivity tools include high-level security features that reduce the risk of a cyberattack and protect your data. Security is one of the most important aspects of productivity software as it protects vital information belonging to you, your organization and your clients.

Types of productivity software for small business 

Now that we know the meaning of productivity software and the advantages. Let us look at some examples of productivity software that businesses in Nigeria like yours can use 

1. Tools for working  together in cloud 

since the covid 19 pandemic. Many businesses now operate remotely. You and your team can work anywhere with cloud based communication tools. You can share files, work on papers together in real time, and talk to each other immediately. Examples are Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack are popular cloud-based tools for working together

2. Project Management Software 

You need project management software to help your work go smoothly and also meet deadlines. Project management software is used to plan, organize, and allocate resources for managing projects. It helps teams collaborate and keep track of the project’s progress while clearly defining tasks and responsibilities. Examples are Asana, Trello, and Jira can help you organize projects well.

3.  Software for dealing with customers 

For the survival of any business, good customer relationships are important. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is the combination of practices, strategies and technologies that companies use to manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. The goal is to improve customer service relationships and assist with customer retention and drive sales growth. Examples are Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM 

4. Software for accounting and managing money 

It is very important to keep records of your finances for your business to do well. Accounting and finance software help us to keep records of incomes, spending and bills. These tools give you accurate financial statements, make it easier to pay your taxes, and give you the data you need to make sound financial choices and decisions. QuickBooks, Xero, and Wave are all popular choices for accounting software.

5. Software for communication and collaboration 

For smooth communication and collaboration businesses need communication and collaboration software to get in touch with the team, hold virtual meetings and share information easily. Examples of such software are Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Slack 

6. Database Management Systems (DBMS) 

are software systems used to store, retrieve, and run queries on data. A DBMS serves as an interface between an end-user and a database, allowing users to create, read, update, and delete data in the database. DBMS manage the data, the database engine, and the database schema, allowing for data to be manipulated or extracted by users and other programs. This helps provide data security, data integrity, concurrency, and uniform data administration procedures. Examples are Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server etc

What to consider when choosing productivity software

When choosing productivity software, it’s important to assess your specific needs and requirements.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when selecting productivity software.

1. The types of tasks you have to do. Make a list of the tasks you need to be able to do with the software. This will help you narrow down your options.
2. How many features you need. If you’re just using it for personal use, you might not need as many features as if you’re using it for business purposes.
3. Your budget. Productivity software can be expensive, so it’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend. There are also some good free options available.
4. Your level of expertise. If you’re not very familiar with computers, you might want to choose a tool that’s relatively easy to use.
5. Compatibility with other software. Make sure the productivity software you choose is compatible with any other software you’re using.
6. It should be user friendly : any software you want to use must be easy to use and navigate even with people that have very little knowledge about computers. Look for software with a simple, easy-to-understand interface, clear instructions, and functions that are easy to use. 
7. It must be secured:  it is critical to keep private information about your business safe. Ensure your productivity software has robust security features to keep your info safe. Look for software that can encrypt your data, let you log in securely, and give you regular security changes.
8. Does it offer support and training : check if the software offers support and training. Look for software that has detailed documentation, tutorials, and customer assistance channels that are easy to use. This will help you and your team solve any difficulties or questions that come up when putting the software into use.

You must understand that the best productivity software for your business is the one that fits into your business goals, wants and limitations. Before making a choice, take the time to learn about and compare different software choices.

Challenges of productivity software 

1. High depeence on technology: Relying on productivity software can make it difficult to work if there are technical problems or employees don’t have access to a computer. 
2. IT support issues: If employees are not familiar with the software, they might need help from IT support staff to use it effectively, which can add to costs and eventually slow down work. 
3. Complexity: Some productivity applications can be complex and time-consuming to learn, which can counteract any efficiency gains.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, productivity software gives businesses in Nigeria many opportunities to simplify their operations, enhance their ability to work together and improve their general productivity.

By using productivity software, Nigerian businesses can get around problems like a lack of infrastructure and trouble connecting to the internet, bringing about a good change in their organizations.

With the right software, a business can stay more organized, improve communication, better handle projects, and make more money.

Embrace productivity software, and your business in Nigeria will reach a whole new level of productivity and output. The future awaits you, and you have the tools to get there.