Let’s be honest. Running any business takes a lot of organisation and mental bandwidth. So, as a boutique interior design group, running a small team, overseeing majority of our client projects, putting the creative touch on Ben’s work and then throwing in four kids and our own build on top, I think it’s safe to say that time best kept is the key to productivity! 

Ensuring our jobs run smoothly is imperative to maximizing efficiency across our timelines and build schedules.

We can’t simply ‘rely’ on remembering things. So, we pull in the big guns. 

Just kidding – the tools we use are super accessible, cheap or, even better, FREE, and great for any project or business, regardless of industry. 

Asana:

This is our lifesaver. A work management tool that you can access from, literally, anywhere, we use this to manage all our work. From scheduling to communicating with clients, managing the team workloads and tracking all our files and movements; itt is, quite honestly, the lifeline of our business activities. Idiot-proof (and I mean that in the kindest way possible!), it is so easy to use, with the desktop version and a mobile app. I even give our build teams their own task board! 

Asana

Tip: We use the column layout primarily, assigning one column to each stage within each individual project board. It makes for super easy tracking.

Programa:

This is one that we’ve only started using recently, but has quickly become a non-negotiable. I LOVE the simplicity of scheduling – otherwise known as FFE. Basically, it’s a task management and scheduling platform designed specifically for the interiors and architect sector, that enables us to run the project, process and products together on one platform. That means every selection, and for a new build or full renovation, that’s a LOT! 

Programa

Tip: I’d recommend using the notes section when entering a product for any details you need your builder or clients to see, as they appear highlighted in red on the PDF schedule. 

Xero:

Accounting for dummies you ask? Bingo. Xero accounting system is SO simple to use, meaning anyone from those (like me) with limited to no accounting and bookkeeping knowledge, to the pro’s at numbers can use it. With a mobile and desktop version, we use Xero for everything, from tracking all purchases, invoicing clients, organising tax and sorting payroll requirements. 

Xero

Tip: Set up the tracking categories as your projects and job names.