The internet is constantly tempting us. There’s an endless collection of funny cat videos, memes, and social media statuses to consume. Sure, the occasional three-minute YouTube video never hurt anyone, but if employees waste hours of their working day on these websites, that’s a problem.

Remember in movies, how the villain’s lair is home to an abundance of newfangled tech, gadgets and monitors that stretch as far as the eye could see? Some may attribute it to superb set design but the message behind this was that the road to success (or blowing up your enemies) calls for not one but two monitors.

While many SMBs rave about Apps for Work and its ability to provide cheap enterprise-level productivity software, it’s generally agreed upon that there is one huge gap in what they offer. Google is hoping to amend this oversight with its recent announcement of Springboard, a tool designed to bring all of the individual apps together as one big happy family.

Well over half of all surveyed internet users utilize Google’s Chrome web browser, and it’s not difficult to see why. The ability to customize your browser via third party apps, extensions and more makes surfing the web a truly personalized experience.

It’s not a stretch to say that Gmail is one of the best and most popular email services in the world, having over 1 billion monthly active users. With powerful tools that allow you to gain control of your inbox, Gmail has become the platform of choice to both business and individual users.

When it comes to monitoring your employees online, there are potential positives and negatives for your company. But as a business owner who’s never done it before, you may be clueless as to what these are. So to help, we’ve come up with a list of the pros and cons of employee monitoring.

A paintbrush can create the Mona Lisa or the Last Supper. An airplane can bring passengers to exotic locations anywhere on the planet. And stone, deftly placed can produce wonders such as the Pyramids or Angkor Wat. But what do the paintbrush, airplane and stone all have in common? Without the wisdom of the painter, pilot or architect, they are nothing more than tools and materials.

Many people buy an iPad with hopes that it can increase their productivity when outside of the office. Unfortunately, it can end up in a drawer somewhere or perhaps given to your child if you never manage to incorporate into your work processes. Owning an iPad alone is simply not enough to help you increase your productivity.

Telecommuting can be a great strategy that allows businesses to save money and retain valued employees. It is quickly becoming a viable option for those that are looking to cut back their hours at the office while still being able to work productively in the comfort of their home.

None of us sets out to be unproductive. Sure, we all have those days where a few drinks the night before leads to a less than stellar day at our desk, or a day off is begging to be spent curled up on the sofa in front of Netflix. But if you’ve noticed a drop in your productivity levels that threatens to encroach on more than the odd day here and there, it’s time to take a look at where you’re going wrong.