57% of marketing professionals aged 25 to 34 are concerned about burnout. The pressure is all too real. So if you feel like you're the only one struggling, you’re not!
RAMP UP YOUR EFFICIENCY
Why You Can't Afford to Ignore Project Management
According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), businesses that invest in project management practices and tools waste 28 times less money, because more of their strategic initiatives are completed on time and within budget. For marketing teams, this means more efficient campaigns and better results without breaking the bank.
It can also lead to more budget allocation in the future, so everyone’s a winner!
IMPROVE YOUR EVERYDAY
The Day-to-Day Benefits
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Tools like Asana, Trello, and Monday.com centralise task management, which means you can lighten your load, knowing everyone is aware of their responsibilities and deadlines – in a very real and trackable way. So if you need a day off, which you will, the world won’t stop turning and, critically, you can get all the tasks out of your head and into a clever little system that also helps you remember what it was like to feel relaxed. Hard to believe, we know!
These platforms encourage real-time updates and feedback, reducing email overload and keeping everyone on the same page. You can also delegate subtasks to keep a better eye on project progression and make sure your scheduling is achievable!
Easily prioritise tasks to focus on high-impact activities, this is the best way to make sure your team remains as productive and stress-free as you dream to be. The resource planning side of using a project management tool has been the biggest change for us. Teams have enough time to complete the tasks at hand. We never overstretch them, and are more likely to meet deadlines because of it.
REDUCE BURNOUT
Bringing Order to Your Marketing Efforts
MULTITASKING
How Task Switching Sabotages Your Productivity
You know that feeling of burnout? Well, constant task switch definitely doesn’t help.
If you’ve got a project management tool in your tech stack, you can start to reduce the cognitive strain associated with constant switching, by making sure your time is protected for one thing at a time.
More focus, less overwhelm.
CHECK IT OFF
The Psychological Boost of Ticking Off Tasks
Completing tasks and marking them as done is one of life’s purest pleasures. That sense of accomplishment, closure, motivation and morale – unmatched, impeccable, serotonin everywhere.
And this phenomenon has a name, it’s known as the ‘Zeigarnik Effect’.
It suggests that people remember uncompleted tasks better than completed ones, which is a huge reason they stress us so much, they’re using up our mental bandwidth.
Which is why tools with visual progress trackers can significantly enhance this sense of achievement/undiluted bliss.
TYPES OF LEARNING
Switching Views for Different Brain Types
One of the standout features of the project management tools we’ve come across is their ability to switch between views to cater to various cognitive styles.
Everyone processes information differently, and tools like ClickUp, Asana, and Trello offer multiple views to accommodate these differences. Recognising we don’t all work in the same way? Imagine that!
Project management tools that allow team members to choose their preferred view can boost efficiency and satisfaction across the board. After all, what’s the point of trying to implement a new system without team buy-in?
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Kanban-style boards, like those offered by Trello, are ideal for those who process information visually. These boards use cards and columns to represent tasks and stages, clearly representing project progress.
List views cater to those who prefer a linear, process-oriented approach. This format allows for a detailed breakdown of tasks and subtasks, making sure that every step of a project is documented and accounted for.
Calendar views overview tasks and deadlines, helping managers and team members see a project’s broader timeline. This is particularly useful for planning and ensuring that all deadlines are met.
Gantt charts are perfect for those who prefer traditional project management methodologies. These charts offer a timeline view that shows how tasks overlap and depend on each other, helping to manage complex projects with multiple interdependencies.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
How to Choose the Right Marketing Project Management Tool
Not all project management tools are created equal; the right choice depends on your team’s specific needs. Here are a few that are out there:
- Asana: Ideal for teams looking for a robust, user-friendly tool with solid task management and collaboration features.
- Trello: Perfect for those who prefer a visual approach, with boards and cards to manage tasks.
- Monday.com: Great for customisable workflows and detailed project tracking.
OUR SECRETS
Why TFG Uses ClickUp for Marketing Project Management
At TFG, we’ve found our holy grail in ClickUp for our own marketing work, all client retainers and projects. It has a comprehensive suite of features, is reasonably priced, and the entire team has successfully adopted it into our everyday.
Here’s a quick walkthrough of one of our favourite setups.
The Headlines
All-in-One Platform:
ClickUp combines tasks, documents, goals, and chat in one platform, reducing the need to switch between different tools.
Templated Workflows:
We’ve put an awful lot of time and energy into our processes and so, being able to create custom task templates saves a lot of time while also supporting consistency and quality control.
Time Tracking and Estimation:
ClickUp includes built-in time tracking and time estimation features, helping teams plan realistically and manage their workload effectively.
Goal Setting and Tracking:
The tool allows users to set goals and track progress in real-time, so we can see how every task contributes to the larger objectives.
Collaboration and Communication:
With features like comments, mentions, and real-time document collaboration, ClickUp keeps team communication streamlined and efficient (well, until we start throwing memes around at least)
Multiple Views:
ClickUp’s multiple view options cater to different cognitive styles, allowing team members to switch between list views, board views, calendar views, and Gantt charts according to their preferences and project needs.
