10 Ways to Cut Time Wasting Activities for Field Agents

Written byAreg Dadashyan Areg Dadashyan
Field agents lose hours every week to activities that do not increase sales, improve execution, or strengthen retailer relationships. The problem is not effort. It is how time is structured. Here are ten practical ways top teams remove waste and give agents more time for high value work.
10 Ways to Cut Time Wasting Activities for Field Agents

1. Eliminate Manual Route Planning

Manual planning wastes time and creates daily friction.

Automated routing removes guesswork and prevents constant replanning.


2. Reduce Drive Time Through Better Sequencing

Poor stop order creates unnecessary driving.

Optimized sequencing reduces travel and increases time in store.


3. Replace Notes With Photos

Writing notes takes time and loses detail.

Photos capture reality faster and more accurately.


4. Remove Duplicate Reporting

Reps should not report the same activity in multiple systems.

One system should capture visits, tasks, and proof once.


5. Stop Chasing Information

When priorities are unclear, reps lose time deciding what to do next.

Clear daily priorities remove hesitation.


6. Cut Unplanned Store Visits

Random visits dilute focus.

Prioritized store lists ensure time is spent where it matters.


7. Automate Follow Ups

Manual reminders get forgotten.

Automated follow ups protect execution without extra effort.


8. Reduce Manager Interruptions

Frequent calls break execution flow.

Real time visibility reduces the need for interruptions.


9. Standardize Visit Workflows

Different approaches slow teams down.

Standard workflows increase speed and consistency.


10. Remove Guesswork From Execution

Guessing wastes time.

Guided tasks ensure reps know exactly what to do in each store.


How Navimate Removes Time Waste

Navimate eliminates inefficiency by structuring the day.

Navimate provides:

  • Smart routing
  • Guided task lists
  • Photo based reporting
  • Automated follow ups
  • Real time visibility for managers

Agents spend more time executing and less time managing chaos.


Conclusion

Time is the most limited resource in the field.

Teams that remove waste increase productivity without increasing headcount.

Efficiency is not about working faster.
It is about removing friction.

 

Meet Our Experts

Trade marketing professional with a career spanning every role in the field - from sales agent to country manager. Extensive experience leading and training large teams, with deep, hands-on knowledge of trade marketing challenges and how to solve them.

Can Navimate store visit history, notes, and photos for each account?

Yes. Each account includes a full timeline of past visits, photos, notes, and completed tasks, giving reps full context before entering the store.

Does Navimate help teams record store-level insights more effectively?

Yes. Reps can log photos, notes, stock conditions, promotions, and competitor activity — all of which help managers make smarter decisions.

 

How does Navimate support real-time updates during the workday?

Any changes — new tasks, order notes, visit reassignments — appear instantly in the rep’s schedule so they always operate with the latest information.