ARE WE MORE PRODUCTIVE CONTENTS

THEN WE WERE A YEAR The evolving state of productivity 05

AND A HALF AGO, AND HAS Redefining processes & workflows 10
THE WORKPLACE CHANGED Navigating the digitization revolution 14
FOR GOOD?
Trends of 2022 18

Preparing for the future of work 24

The Nitro 2022 Productivity Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
COVID-19 drastically affected working habits, employee needs
Boosting productivity has always been a
and productivity. While businesses adapted — shifting priorities
priority for companies but advances in and investing in new technologies — no one could’ve predicted
workplace technology have redefined what how significant of an impact it would have. And companies
must rethink how they’ll operate moving forward.
that means for employees. When we first
talked about this in our 2020 Productivity Workers now expect more flexibility in how and where they
Report, published in late 2019, the world was work, which ultimately requires a new set of workflows and
tools. If businesses want to stay ahead, they need to start
in a different place. Working in offices, having
embracing a fully digital future and new work environments.
in-person meetings and collaborating face-
to-face with colleagues was the norm. Our previous report examined the relationships between
productivity and the tools that drive it. This year’s report builds
upon those findings and also explores how the global pandemic
A lot has changed since then. has transformed productivity, workflows and digital initiatives,
as well as the trends and technologies shaping work in 2022
and beyond.

The Nitro 2022 Productivity Report 3

 KEY FINDINGS

Workers felt less stressed while working remotely. Digital transformation plans have accelerated.
1 In 2020, the number of workers feeling moderately stressed
dropped by 12%, and job satisfaction increased by 6%.
5 Eighty-six percent of business leaders said COVID-19 accelerated
the need for digital transformation. Plans for digital initiatives are
now expected to happen within the next two years.
Working from home is here to stay.
2 While more offices are reopening, 46% of workers expect to
work from home (WFH) more frequently after the pandemic 6 IT budgets are getting bigger.
Around eight in 10 business leaders say IT budgets increased
ends, and 75% believe WFH support is extremely important between 10% and 14% from 2020, and two in 10 say it increased
when evaluating future job opportunities. more than 25%.

Remote work paved the way for paperless. Higher demand for collaboration and productivity tools.
3 When everyone shifted to remote work in early 2020, global
printing declined by 52% and paperless workflows began to
7 Pre-pandemic, companies began adding collaboration and
productivity tools to their tech stacks, but their importance grew as
take hold. From February to June 2020, PDF annotation remote work became the norm. Around 70% of workers find both
increased by 84% and eSigning increased by 60%. tools to be extremely impactful.

Document processes are still inefficient. Document productivity is more important than ever.
4 Eighty-three percent of workers said the way their company
handled documents had not improved significantly during the
8 More workers today are using an eSignature solution than in 2019,
which at the time was only 12%. And nearly half of workers said
pandemic. And 95% saw room for improvement in how their they would be somewhat or much more productive with either an
organizations handled documents. eSignature or PDF solution.

The Nitro 2022 Productivity Report 4

PART ONE

The evolving state

of productivity

01
5
01

STRESS TAKES A TOLL

ON PRODUCTIVITY
Before the pandemic, nearly a quarter of respondents were putting in more
than 40 hours per week and 43% reported feeling stressed at least very often
at work. While hours were high, nearly one out of every three respondents felt
only somewhat productive or worse at their jobs.
Higher stress levels were linked to the number of documents they were
working with daily. Those working with over 10 documents felt more
stressed, in part due to repetitive workflows and manual processes like
printing and scanning.

Now, fast-forward to summer 2020. In the second installment of our Future

of Work Report, we found that despite working during a global pandemic,
respondents surprisingly felt less stressed and more productive at work.

Part 1: The Evolving State of Productivity 6

01

How often are we stressed at work? Most strikingly, the number of workers feeling
moderately stressed dropped by 12%, and
Extremely those that felt no stress at all increased by 66%.
This was likely attributed to having more control
Very over the workday, which allowed employees to
better balance work tasks and family-related
Moderately responsibilities during this period.

Slightly
In 2019, about 10% of work took place outside the hours of
6:00 am to 6:00 pm. According to data from Nitro Analytics,
Not at all
nearly 20% of work occurred outside of those hours during
the height of the pandemic in spring 2020. While the total
0% 10% 20% 30%
amount of work accomplished remained steady, working
2019 2020 hours became more evenly distributed across the broader
part of the day.

Part 1: The Evolving State of Productivity SOURCE The Future of Work Report Part 2 7
01

When employees feel unproductive, they Working from home increases job satisfaction
also feel more stressed, less supported and less
motivated to meet customer needs.
I am satisfied with my job

Pre-pandemic, 71% of those who felt unproductive Management supports

expressed the lowest levels of job satisfaction. Additionally, me in my job
78% of those who didn’t feel productive at all also felt the
least supported by management. I have all the information
I need to do my job well
These views completely shifted when stay-at-home orders
took effect and businesses moved to working from home.
Knowledge workers reported greater job satisfaction in 2020, In the past 6 months, I have
thought about changing jobs
despite no major improvements in productivity.

0% 20% 40% 60%

2019 2020

Part 1: The Evolving State of Productivity SOURCE The Future of Work Report Part 2 8
01 KEY TAKEAWAY

WORKING FROM HOME

INCREASES JOB SATISFACTION
Although fewer respondents considered changing jobs
while working from home, those who still found it
difficult to get resources were more likely to be
dissatisfied. In 2019, we found respondents who had
access to the resources they needed to do their work
felt more satisfied in their jobs. Seventy-five percent of
them who expressed difficultly finding resources
reported being not at all satisfied with their jobs.
The consequences of employee turnover can be painful,
especially for companies competing in spaces where
workers expect the best tools and perks. When an
employee leaves, the rest of the team suffers from a
productivity gap, and morale and workloads can be
majorly affected.

Part 1: The Evolving State of Productivity 9

PART TWO

Redefining
document processes
& workflows

02
10
02

REMOTE WORK DRIVES

THE MOVE TO PAPERLESS
Before COVID-19, paper-based workflows dominated the workplace.
Seventy percent of workers printed documents, 60% scanned and 48%
signed or approved on paper. And that same behavior continued into
early 2020 before the pandemic hit.
However, once employees started working from home and no longer
had access to office printers, there was a 52% decline in global printing
— highlighting how prevalent and largely unnecessary this work habit
had been.

While printing and scanning did decrease during the pandemic, 56% of
workers were still printing and 50% still scanning, even while working
from home.

Part 2: Redefining document processes & workflows 11

02

2020 usage data from Nitro Analytics™ Remote productivity was challenging for
knowledge workers who relied on office printers
↑ 84% and scanners. It also became impossible to do
↑ 60% common tasks such as redline a document and
walk it over to a colleague for input. It quickly
became digitized workflows or nothing at all.
↓ 25%

In the second part of our Future of Work Report, we found

PDF collaboration and eSigning increased exponentially
among Nitro users, while printing declined. These changes
indicated companies were starting their transition toward
digital workflows. In 2021, the paperless journey continued.
Total Print Jobs
In fact, 50% of respondents said they’re using physical
Total Sign
Total Collaborate & Annotate
documents and paper-based processes less since the start of
the pandemic.

Part 2: Redefining document processes & workflows SOURCE The Future of Work Report Part 2 12
02

50%
While we are entering a paperless work world,
making the full transition will take some time.
Many businesses still rely on paper for some
processes and have not deployed digital
solutions company-wide. Better/More tools
to enable remote work

According to our 2021 survey, respondents felt their

companies could have better prepared for remote work by
34%
Broader access
to digital tools
implementing better digital tools, providing broader access to
technology and digitizing paper-based processes. This lack of
tools and digitization has made document management more
challenging. Eighty-three percent of knowledge workers said
32%
Digitized more
the way their company handled documents had not improved manual or paper-
significantly during the pandemic, and 95% saw room for based processes
improvement in how their organizations handled documents.

Part 2: Redefining document processes & workflows SOURCE The Future of Work 2021 Survey 13
02 KEY TAKEAWAY

BETTER DIGITAL TOOLS & Barriers to improvements

WORKFLOWS ARE NEEDED
42% IT is too busy

Forty percent of knowledge workers do not find their

current workflows very efficient, and only 34% are 41% Limited budget available
somewhat satisfied with their workflows — signaling an
urgent need for improvement.
38% Lack of training or support for users
Now that working from home is a permanent norm,
companies will face growing pressure to improve their
document processes and digital strategy. Failing to 34% Management is unaware of challenges
address these issues will likely have a negative impact
on employee productivity and efficiency.
24% No way to provide input to decision makers

Part 2: Redefining document processes & workflows SOURCE The Future of Work Report Part 2 14
PART THREE

Navigating the
digitization revolution

03
15
03

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
PLANS TAKE OFF For years, enterprises
have been optimistic
Digital transformation was somewhat of a business
priority before the pandemic. But once stay-at-home orders
in their self-assessments,
took effect, it became necessary for companies to survive in thinking they’re further
a completely remote work environment.
According to our 2021 survey, 61% of respondents
along in their digital
felt their organization was extremely or very prepared transformations than
to support digital needs at the onset of the pandemic.
However, 86% of business leaders said COVID-19 they really are.
accelerated the need for digital transformation. Plans
for digital initiatives are now expected to happen within — J U L I E S W E E T , Chair & CEO, Accenture
the next two years. However, around 5 in 10 leaders
anticipate updates within the next year.

Part 3: Navigating the digitization revolution SOURCE The Accenture Technology Trends 2021 Report 16
03

The pandemic has changed how executives Pre-pandemic, technology was important but
view the importance of technology today was implemented more so to scale down costs.

That sentiment has obviously changed over the past couple

2017
Technology is a source
of potential savings of years, especially within the last 19 months. While cost
savings is still a significant benefit of deploying technology,
it’s not the only one.

Companies now view digital technologies as critical elements

Investing more in technology of their overall business success. According to McKinsey,
for competitive advantage
nearly 40% of business leaders are investing in technology to
Modernizing core
technology capabilities TODAY stay competitive.

Refocusing entire business

around digital technologies

SOURCE McKinsey 2020; How COVID-19 has pushed companies over the
Part 3: Navigating the digitization revolution technology tipping point—and transformed business forever 17
03 KEY TAKEAWAY

71%
THE BEST DIGITAL TOOLS
FOR LONG-TERM REMOTE WORK
of knowledge workers
During the pandemic, collaboration and document feel extremely or very prepared
productivity tools (PDF editing and eSignature) for long-term remote work
were the most implemented solutions. With few
workers going into the office for the foreseeable
future, both became a more of a necessity.

Knowledge workers claim these two tools are

extremely effective and impactful to their
organization. And a little over 60% said they
44%
of respondents are
collaborating on
are extremely or somewhat easy to use.
documents more since the
start of the pandemic

Part 3: Navigating the digitization revolution SOURCE The Future of Work 2021 Survey 18
PART FOUR

Trends for 2022

04
19
04 TREND ONE

WORKING FROM HOME WILL

CONTINUE TO BE THE NORM A popular cliché of 2020 was
that covid-19 accelerated pre-
Working from home was not that common pre-pandemic. Most companies
existing trends. Yet that is a poor
expected employees to be in the office full-time, but all of that changed description of the massive
when offices around the world abruptly closed. rupture to office work.
Our 2021 survey found that while there is some desire to return to the office,
most employees want to continue WFH in some capacity. Forty-six percent Before the pandemic, Americans
of knowledge workers said they plan to work remotely more frequently even spent 5% of their working time
after the pandemic ends, and many organizations are preparing for this type
at home. By spring 2020 the
of outcome.
figure was 60%.
Nine out of 10 of respondents said their companies have some type of
post-pandemic work policy in place. Some businesses will allow employees — THE ECONOMIST
to work remotely forever, but the hybrid model — a schedule that blends
in-office and remote work — has become the standard for most.

Part 4: Trends for 2022 SOURCE The Economist 20

04 TREND ONE

Thirty-eight percent of respondents are currently

working from home, and 47% are taking the hybrid
approach (working from home, another residence
POST-PANDEMIC or the office).
WORK POLICY
Having work from home support will be critical in this new work world,
especially when recruiting new talent. Seventy-five percent of
knowledge workers said it is extremely/very important when
considering future employment opportunities.
As companies build out their 2022 strategy, they must keep work from
13% Employees can work from home full-time indefinitely
27% Option to work from home or work in the office
home or work-from-anywhere top of mind because it’s no longer
32% Option to have hybrid work from home/in office schedule
considered a “nice-to-have" perk, it’s now an expectation.
17% Employees expected to be back in the office once it's safe
10% My organization does not have a post-pandemic work policy yet
1% Other

Part 4: Trends for 2022 SOURCE The Future of Work 2021 Survey 21
04 TREND TWO

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE & DIGITAL

PRODUCTIVITY ARE TOP OF MIND In response to COVID-19,
customers have taken many
activities they may have
The pandemic not only impacted operations, but it also shifted
previously done in-person
business priorities. Leaders listed enhancing the customer
experience and improving digital productivity as top priorities
online. This change in behavior
for their organizations. increased the demand for new
Without in-person interactions, companies needed to focus
digital products and services,
more on how to build and maintain their customer a trend that will continue to
relationships virtually as well as how to boost productivity increase going forward.
across remote workforces.

These will likely continue to be focus areas in 2022 as most

organizations are expected to be working remotely or from — GARTNER 2021 CIO AGENDA

home through early next year.

Part 4: Trends for 2022 SOURCE Gartner 2021 CIO Agenda 22

04 TREND THREE

IT BUDGETS ARE INCREASING IT budget changes from 2020 to 2022

With digital transformation plans in full swing, many business leaders 80%
expect IT budgets to increase again in 2022. About eight in
10 business leaders say IT budgets increased between 10% and
60%
14% from 2020, and two in 10 say it increased more than 25%.
Sixty-five percent of leaders believe budgets will increase next year
40%
however, nearly 60% think their current budget is sufficient.
As companies accelerate their digital efforts, more budget might be
needed to cover the costs of a full transformation. According to 20%
Gartner’s research vice president, John-David Lovelock:
0%
“Digital transformation can no longer be purchased overnight, Increase No change Decrease Not sure
and global IT spending projections reflect that. As the world continues
to open back up, enterprises will invest in tools that support How has your IT budget changed from 2020 to 2021?
innovation, anywhere operations and employee productivity & trust.” How do you think your IT budget will change from 2021 to 2022?

Part 4: Trends for 2022 SOURCE The Future of Work 2021 Survey 23
04 TREND FOUR

DOCUMENT PRODUCTIVITY IS GROWING Document productivity tool usage

among leaders & knowledge workers
Most knowledge workers and business leaders use a PDF editing
solution, but a larger number of leaders use an eSignature solution.
Although eSigning is not as widespread across entire workforces yet, We use a PDF editing solution

it has gained more traction over the course of the pandemic.

In early 2020, there was an 108% increase in electronic signature
requests, and a 61% increase in digital signing. Today, 52% of
We use an eSignature solution
knowledge workers use an eSignature solution (a 333% jump from in
2019). For those that don’t currently use one, half said they would be
somewhat or much more productive if they had an eSignature tool,
and 48% felt they would be more productive with a PDF editing tool.
We do not have either of these
Workers will also be looking to incorporate more contract life cycle
management solutions (CLM) into their daily workflows. In fact, Gartner
predicts that 90% of multinational, global enterprises and 50% of 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
regional midsize organizations will have CLM solutions in place by 2023. Business Leaders Knowledge Workers

Part 4: Trends for 2022 SOURCE The Future of Work 2021 Survey 24
PART FIVE

Preparing for the future

of work

05
25
05

ACT NOW TO STAY AHEAD

To prepare for a fully digital future and new work landscape,
companies must focus on two key areas:

• FLEXIBILITY
For employees, having the option to choose where and how they want to work
will be a deal-breaker when evaluating current and future employers. Whether
your company decides to take a full-time remote work or hybrid approach, there
should be some sort of flexibility offered. People don’t want to be tied to a desk
or required to go into an office, at least for the near future.

• DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
It took a global pandemic for companies to prioritize and accelerate their digital
transformation efforts. However, a key part of this transformation is equipping
employees with digital tools that will help them be successful in a remote-first
world. Investing in document productivity technology can have a positive impact
and help keep your business moving forward, even during a global crisis.

Part 5: Preparing for the future of work 26

05

Accelerate your digital transformation

and increase ROI with Nitro

The Nitro Productivity Platform provides powerful, best-in-

class document tools that are designed to serve every device,
workflow and touchpoint. With PDF productivity, unlimited
eSigning and analytics, you can transform your entire
organization with a single solution.

Ready to accelerate your digital transformation journey?

→ Learn more about Nitro and get started today!

Part 5: Preparing for the future of work 27

05 KEY TAKEAWAY

ABOUT NITRO
Nitro is a global document productivity software company
accelerating digital transformation in a world that demands the
ability to work from anywhere, anytime, on any device. Nitro
enables organizations to drive better business outcomes through
100% digital document processes and fast, efficient workflows.

The Nitro Productivity Platform offers comprehensive business

solutions, including powerful PDF productivity, unlimited eSigning
and industry-leading analytics, all supported by a superior
customer success team. Nitro has over 2.8 million licensed users
and 13,000+ Business Customers in 155 countries, including over
68% of the Fortune 500 and three of the Fortune 10.

Nitro is headquartered in San Francisco with hubs in Toronto,

Dublin, London, and Melbourne.

To learn more, please visit gonitro.com.

Part 5: Preparing for the future of work 28

APPENDIX & SURVEY METHODOLOGY

NITRO SOURCES
2020 NITRO THE FUTURE OF WORK THE FUTURE OF WORK THE FUTURE OF WORK
PRODUCTIVITY REPORT REPORT — PART 1 REPORT — PART 2 2021 SURVEY
Nitro partnered with Qualtrics in This report examined aggregated Nitro partnered with Qualtrics in Nitro partnered with Qualtrics in
April 2019 to conduct a research data collected by Nitro Analytics May/June 2020 to conduct a April 2021 to survey 600 full- and
study of 1,183 full- and part-time from February through March research study of 1,632 full- and part-time knowledge workers and
knowledge workers across the 2020. The data highlighted the part-time knowledge workers 140 business leaders across the
United States, United Kingdom, impact of the global pandemic on across the United States, United United States, United Kingdom,
Ireland and Australia. The study productivity across industries. Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. Germany and Australia. The
explored usage behaviors and The study explored usage survey examined the top
→ GET THE REPORT
perceptions of workplace behaviors and perceptions of challenges faced during the
documentation practices. workplace documentation pandemic, changing workflows
practices as well as the success and digital needs and what a
→ GET THE REPORT
and challenges of working during post-pandemic work world looks
the COVID-19 pandemic. like.

→ GET THE REPORT

The Nitro 2022 Productivity Report 29

APPENDIX & SURVEY METHODOLOGY

EXTERNAL SOURCES
Accenture Technology Trends 2021 Report →

The Economist →

Gartner 2021 CIO Agenda →

Gartner IT Spending Forecast →

McKinsey 2020: How COVID-19 has pushed companies over the technology
tipping point—and transformed business forever →

The Nitro 2022 Productivity Report 30