Notion has announced new findings on the scale of workplace inefficiency in Singapore and reaffirmed its investment in the market amid rapid local adoption.
As Singapore businesses navigate increasingly complex tech stacks, Notion’s new research reveals that local office workers lose an average of 66 minutes daily to inefficient work, equivalent to more than 5 hours per week on low-value tasks. This inefficiency could cost the country up to SG$85 billion annually, representing 12.5% of national GDP.
Fragmentation is fuelling inefficiency and workplace stress
The research points to fragmented digital experiences as the primary cause of lost productivity. While nearly half of respondents personally use three to four different tools each day, and more than a quarter juggle five or more, the issue runs deeper at the organisational level.
With different teams often relying on separate, siloed systems, companies may be managing tens or even hundreds of disconnected apps, making it harder for employees to find information or collaborate effectively. This constant tool-switching, which can happen up to ten times a day, contributes to cognitive burden and 48% of workers say it directly adds to their workplace stress.
Workers also waste valuable time searching for information across platforms. Nearly a quarter spend one to two hours per day looking for documents and data. In fact, 42% of respondents cited this information hunting as one of their job’s most inefficient aspects, second only to “swapping from one tool to another.”
Appetite for AI to streamline
Singapore’s office workers see AI as a promising solution to these challenges. According to the research, 82% would adopt AI tools that could significantly reduce time spent searching for information or switching between platforms. Younger professionals lead this trend, with 85% of Gen Z respondents show strong interest in AI-powered workflows, compared to 76% of Gen X.
Andrew McCarthy, General Manager of ANZ, SEA and India at Notion, says, “The digital workplace has become a maze of disconnected tools that’s taking a serious toll on Singapore professionals. With 76% of workers calling for businesses to unify their tech stack, we need to listen.
“Our research reveals the hidden costs of this fragmentation — the average professional spends 84 minutes learning each new tool, with 35% feeling this time is completely wasted.
“The promise of AI isn’t just about automation; it’s about creating a more humane work experience. We’re seeing professionals eager to reclaim productive time, especially to automate repetitive tasks, retrieve information efficiently, and improve research and analysis processes.”
