CLOUD BASED FILE MANAGEMENT
Hands down, the best tool I’ve come across for helping me stay connected is cloud based file management tools such as Dropbox, Google Drive or Box. Each of these options come with anywhere from 2GB-15GB of free storage and options to pay for additional storage should your needs expand beyond this free limit.
Any file that I may need to access from another device or computer goes into my cloud storage and this has proven, time and time again, to be an incredible asset when away from the desk.
GOOGLE CALENDAR
Google Calendar is my go-to calendar for everything. Having the ability to set up calendars for various needs means that I am able to keep information separated and color coded to quickly and easily know what is going on at all times. Google Calendars offer the ability to invite others to join on one (or more) calendars without having to share everything from all calendars. Don’t want to share but do want to invite someone to a specific event? You can do that as well. These calendars can also be embedded into websites and so much more.
I currently have calendars for work needs, personal needs, school needs, youth sports and more. Each calendar is color coded and is shared with specific people who relate to each. To access via my mobile devices, I use CalenGoo and have found that for my needs, it is the best app available when pairing with Google Calendars.
HOOTSUITE
Keeping track of the social media needs can be a time consuming and tedious task. When you are on the go (or even at your desk), you will be so thankful to have this tool at your finger tips to schedule and maintain all of your various social profiles in one location. With Hootsuite, you can take things beyond updating your profiles with customized reports, checking in on your followers and more.
SUPERNOTE
This app allows you to make recordings and notes all in one location and email, place in DropBox or download quickly and easily. When sending via email, your recipient can expect to receive the typed notes in the body of the email as though you typed directly into the email. Voice recordings will arrive as an attachment and if these are done as one file in the app, they will arrive together.
One of the biggest complaints (with iPhone) is figuring out how to download recordings done via their Voice Memos app that is standard with Apple products. SuperNote will take care of that complaint and so much more.
PASSWORD MANAGERS
Trying to remember your passwords is a growing challenge that we all face on a daily basis. Toss in the importance of not reusing passwords and things only get that much more difficult. With new tools that hackers are using these days, it is important to not only use different passwords but making sure they are complicated with a mix of numbers, alpha characters that mix capitals and lower case and then toss in a few symbols and you will see how a password manager can really be a handy tool. Most managers allow you to do an inventory of your information and get recommendations back on which passwords should be changed due to being weak or reused. You can then sort by name, assign categories, notes, safely share if needed and even utilize the wallet for payments and include personal details to make filling in online forms a snap. It won’t take long for you to see why this is just one more incredible tool to have in your “on the go” arsenal.
Managers to consider include LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane, and KeePass.
Do you have tools that you find to be a must? Share them with us on Facebook or Twitter! We are always on the lookout for new tools to work smarter, not harder.
