6 Productivity Tools and Methods for a Happy Office!
This week we took a look into 6 productivity tools and methods that we use to help us keep organised and on top of what otherwise could be a pretty hectic environment!
Out Top 6 Productivity Tools and Methods
Evernote
EverNote is a cloud based app that allows you to take notes, pictures, make annotations and much much more. Really it is best Evernote is a giant scrapbook for you to collect, file and organise all your meeting notes, reminders, inspiration and ideas.
The great thing about Evernote is that is is cloud based, so you can use the app on multiple devices, even through the web, and it will sync automatically – you will never loose another important note again!
Wunderlist
Wunderlist is a great tool for organisation, you can create multiple lists, priorities jobs and set reminders for deadlines.
To gain the maximum benefit of this app you need to make a habit of using it, have it open from the start to the finish of your day, organise jobs and projects int lists. My advice would be to create a day to day list (I have 5 of theses: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday), then have individual lists for each project or client.
You can then move tasks from your projects lists into the day to day lists as and when you want to schedule to do them.
Again Wunderlist is cloud based and can be used on multiple devices and also syncs automatically.
The best thing about Wunderlist is the real sense of achievement you feel when you complete everything that you needed to get done.
Skype
A bit of an old school tool here, but very much still a valuable one to have.
I keep my skype open from the moment I sit down for the day right through to the end. This was clients and other contacts can easily get in touch without searching for phone numbers, worrying about signal or anything else.
However the best thing about skype is the ability to share links and screenshare with clients during meetings. This facility has allowed my meetings to become far more interactive and therefore far more productive.
Skype is also available on multiple devices so you can use it on the move too – I used it once to show my Mum the beach when we were on holiday in the Caribbean – now hows that for amazing technology!
As I said – an old tool that shouldn’t be forgotten!
NewsBar
Do you follow hundreds of news feeds, blogs, websites and social media pages? Then this is the tool for you!
Today there are so many places from which to find content that sometimes it can all be a bit too much.
NewsBar simply allows you to track all your favourite feeds in one place – simples!
A must have tool for people with information source overload!
Calendar
Another old school tool, but again invaluable.
I use my calendar to organise my whole life, personal and business. I set reminders, add notes, contacts, invite people to events – all sorts! And all through my calendar app!
I use iCal but there are plenty of variations, and again it stays open from the moment I logon to the moment I shut down.
My calendar is also cloud based and available on multiple devices, so I am never far away from my reminders! A very useful tool to have when your life is as busy as mine!
Email Flagging
This is not so much a tool, but more of a functionality and method of working.
Most email servers provide a flagging tool to help organise emails and track those important ones with ‘to-do’ actions so that they don’t slip the net!
My email server (Apple Mail) offer 6 different coloured flags – each one has its own actions.
Below is the key that I use, but don’t feel you have to use the same ones for your key – each person is different.
Red – Highly important, must do today!
Green – Requires me to take action or reply
Blue – Requires the recipient to take action/reply (also reminds me to chase if they have not replied for a while!)
Orange – I am getting married next year so this colour is used currently my wedding emails that require action
Purple – Purchases that I have ordered but not arrived
Yellow – Invoices or receipts to print or pay
Grey – Non urgent but require action next week