(NewsUSA) – Managing employees in rough-and-tumble industries like construction, security, engineering and architecture brings challenges to efficiency both in the office and in the field. And since the majority of construction managers and contractors are self-employed, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there’s very little room for error.

While workplace efficiency heavily depends on the caliber of your employees, it’s equally affected by management tools — what your team has to work with. Check out three simple ways to improve efficiency and better your management skills.

1. Improve productivity by making it easier to work together. The better and clearer your communication, the easier it is to work together. When security teams need to confer instantly, or construction managers need to reach someone who’s high up on scaffolding, it’s extremely useful to have instant, reliable communication. Sprint’s Direct Connect service, for example, offers push-to-talk phones that work like advanced walkie-talkies with data and other capabilities over the nationwide 3G cellular network.

For group communications, you can connect up to 200 Direct Connect subscribers simultaneously using the “Team DC” feature.

2. Create a long-term technology plan. Obsolete hardware and technology can slow down any business, and the replacement process causes interruptions that can make productivity plummet. Considering technology needs when determining short- and long-term business goals helps guarantee your team has the right equipment at the right time.

But what about in-the-field tools? Kyocera’s Dura Series has three mobile phones built to handle the abuse of harsh working conditions. Kyocera DuraPlus and DuraMax can be immersed in more than three feet of water for up to 30 minutes without glitching, and meet military standards for shock, dust, vibration temperature and more. Learn more at www.kyocera-wireless.com.

3. Make sure all employees understand how to record expenses properly. Most business expenses can be written off as tax deductions if they’re properly documented. Receipts are necessary to substantiate deductible purchases, including tools, vehicles, travel expenses and other costs considered ordinary and necessary.

However, filers can only deduct expenses for which they are not reimbursed. This means anything billed to the client cannot be written off. Remember, documentation of expenses must clearly detail both your income and the expense.