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26 Jul 2023
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vijay prabaharan R

The State of Work in 2023

The State of Work in 2023

When we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.
  11. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  12. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  13. Technical SEO Optimization:
  14. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  15. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  16. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  17. User Experience Enhancement:
  18. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  19. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  20. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  21. Local SEO Optimization:
  22. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  23. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  24. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


  1. SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.







When we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.
  11. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  12. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  13. Technical SEO Optimization:
  14. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  15. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  16. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  17. User Experience Enhancement:
  18. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  19. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  20. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  21. Local SEO Optimization:
  22. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  23. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  24. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


  1. SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.







When we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.
  11. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  12. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  13. Technical SEO Optimization:
  14. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  15. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  16. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  17. User Experience Enhancement:
  18. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  19. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  20. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  21. Local SEO Optimization:
  22. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  23. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  24. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


  1. SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.







When we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.
  11. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  12. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  13. Technical SEO Optimization:
  14. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  15. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  16. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  17. User Experience Enhancement:
  18. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  19. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  20. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  21. Local SEO Optimization:
  22. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  23. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  24. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


  1. SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.







When we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.
  11. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  12. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  13. Technical SEO Optimization:
  14. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  15. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  16. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  17. User Experience Enhancement:
  18. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  19. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  20. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  21. Local SEO Optimization:
  22. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  23. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  24. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahWhen we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.
  11. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  12. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  13. Technical SEO Optimization:
  14. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  15. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  16. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  17. User Experience Enhancement:
  18. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  19. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  20. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  21. Local SEO Optimization:
  22. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  23. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  24. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


  1. SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.







When we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.
  11. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  12. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  13. Technical SEO Optimization:
  14. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  15. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  16. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  17. User Experience Enhancement:
  18. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  19. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  20. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  21. Local SEO Optimization:
  22. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  23. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  24. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


  1. SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.







When we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.














When we released our first State of Work report in 2019, the biggest issue facing organizations seemed relatively simple: aligning workers around a common set of goals. While the challenge of alignment persists.

To answer that question, Slack commissioned a global survey that explores how companies are navigating productivity, automation, and flexibility today. We partnered with Qualtrics to survey more than 18,000 desk workers in nine countries at every rung of the corporate ladder. We discovered antiquated ways of working, misaligned perceptions between employers and employees, unexpected barriers to productivity, and more.

Take a look at some of our findings below, and head over to State of Work to download the full report.

We need to redefine productivity

The word ‘productivity’ sends mixed messages. For some executives, productivity implies a desire to maximize worker output to increase profit. But for the majority of desk workers, pressures around productivity bring to mind images of long nights and work-filled weekends, leaving many focused on showing the ‘effort’ going into their work instead of the results coming out of it.

Desk workers are validated in their concerns. Our survey found that, in practice, productivity is more about generating high inputs (such as resources used, time spent at work, and code written) to appear productive, versus outputs (including goals met and revenue generated).

  1. 27%
  2. of executives rely on visibility and activity metrics to measure productivity
  3. 53%
  4. of desk workers feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even if sent after working hours are an effort to keep their status active online, even if they’re not working at the moment
























According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today

AI and automation have long promised to help organizations operate more efficiently, and they have seized the spotlight thanks to major leaps in recent months. However few workers are using these innovations to drive productivity.

  1. 3.6
  2. hours are saved each week by those using automation at work
  3. 77%
  4. say that being able to automate routine tasks would greatly improve their productivity
  5. 27%
  6. of desk workers say that they use AI today, and they are...
  7. 90%
  8. ...more likely to report higher levels of productivity than those who have not adopted AI

Organisational adoption lags behind employee interest in using innovations such as AI and automation, and could cost companies that don’t move quickly enough to align.





According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and f you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today according to Prashanth Chandrasekarack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

  1. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is makTechnology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  2. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  3. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work todayAccording to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’
  4. Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today









According to Prashanth Chandrasekar, the CEO of the software developer platform Stack Overflow, smart leaders will develop productivity metrics that assess both inputs and outputs. ‘Anyone can game a single metric,’ he says, ‘so you must consider a blend of leading and lagging indicators. The lagging indicator is what happened. It’s “reading the news”, and if you look at it in isolation, it’s not very helpful – whereas leading indicators give you a proactive look at the speed and progress the company is making.’

Technology has advanced beyond the way that we work today


























Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  9. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.

  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.




Title: Navigating the Complexities of SEO Ranking: Strategies for Success

Introduction: In the digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing online visibility and driving organic traffic to websites. Central to SEO success is achieving high rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), as these positions directly correlate with increased visibility and user engagement. However, navigating the intricacies of SEO ranking can be challenging, as search algorithms continually evolve and competition intensifies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamentals of SEO ranking, explore key strategies for optimization, and provide insights to help businesses thrive in the dynamic realm of digital marketing.

Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Develop a robust backlink profile by earning high-quality inbound links from authoritative websites.
  11. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  12. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.
  13. Technical SEO Optimization:
  14. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  15. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  16. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  17. User Experience Enhancement:
  18. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  19. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  20. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  21. Local SEO Optimization:
  22. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  23. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  24. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


  1. SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


















Understanding SEO Ranking: At its core, SEO ranking refers to the position a website occupies on SERPs for specific search queries. Search engines like Google employ complex algorithms to assess and rank web pages based on various factors, including relevance, authority, and user experience. These algorithms analyze numerous signals to determine the most relevant and valuable content for users, thereby influencing rankings.

Key Factors Influencing SEO Ranking:

  1. Relevance: Search engines prioritize content that directly addresses user queries and intent. Optimizing web pages with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and structured data helps enhance relevance and improve ranking potential.
  2. Authority: Authority denotes the credibility and trustworthiness of a website in its respective niche. Factors such as backlinks from authoritative sites, domain age, and social signals contribute to establishing authority and positively impact SEO ranking.
  3. User Experience: Search engines prioritize websites that offer exceptional user experiences. Factors such as page load speed, mobile responsiveness, intuitive navigation, and low bounce rates influence user satisfaction and subsequently impact ranking positions.
  4. Content Quality: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is paramount for SEO success. Creating original, well-researched content that addresses user needs and provides value establishes credibility, attracts backlinks, and enhances ranking potential.
  5. Technical SEO: Technical aspects such as website structure, URL optimization, crawlability, indexing, and schema markup play a crucial role in SEO ranking. Optimizing these elements ensures search engines can effectively crawl, index, and understand website content, thereby improving visibility and ranking.

Strategies for SEO Ranking Success:

  1. Keyword Research and Optimization:
  2. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify relevant search terms and user intent.
  3. Optimize website content, including titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text, with target keywords.
  4. Implement long-tail keywords and semantic variations to capture diverse search queries and enhance visibility.
  5. Content Development and Optimization:
  6. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses user queries and provides value.
  7. Optimize content structure, readability, and formatting for enhanced user experience and SEO performance.
  8. Regularly update and refresh content to maintain relevance and authority over time.
  9. Link Building and Off-Page Optimization:
  10. Implement strategic link-building tactics such as guest blogging, content promotion, and relationship building within the industry.
  11. Monitor and disavow toxic or spammy backlinks to maintain the integrity of the link profile.

  12. Technical SEO Optimization:
  13. Audit website for technical issues such as broken links, duplicate content, and crawl errors.
  14. Optimize website speed, mobile responsiveness, and site architecture for improved user experience and search visibility.
  15. Implement schema markup to enhance search engine understanding of website content and improve rich snippet appearance.
  16. User Experience Enhancement:
  17. Prioritize website usability, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience.
  18. Optimize page load speed and minimize intrusive interstitials to reduce bounce rates and improve engagement.
  19. Leverage analytics data to identify and address usability issues, refine user journeys, and optimize conversion paths.
  20. Local SEO Optimization:
  21. Claim and optimize Google My Business listing for local search visibility.
  22. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency across online directories and listings.
  23. Solicit and respond to customer reviews to build trust and credibility within the local community.

Monitoring and Measuring SEO Performance: Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance are essential for identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms facilitates comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making.

Conclusion: SEO ranking serves as a cornerstone of digital marketing success, driving organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors influencing ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.


Regular monitoring and analysis of SEO performance is crucial in identifying opportunities, tracking progress, and refining strategies. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, backlink profile, and conversion rates, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of SEO efforts. Comprehensive performance tracking and informed decision-making can be facilitated by utilizing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms.


  1. SEO ranking cornerstone of digital marketing success that drives organic visibility, traffic, and conversions for businesses across various industries. By understanding the key factors that influence ranking positions and implementing strategic optimization tactics, businesses can enhance their online presence, attract qualified traffic, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.




  1. ead of the competition in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Continual adaptation to evolving search algorithms, user behaviors, and industry trends is essential for maintaining and improving SEO performance over time. Through diligent research, optimization, and measurement, businesses can achieve sustainable SEO success and maximize their online potential.








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