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Mobile apps are a helpful - and in some cases, necessary - way to remain productive. From Google's suite of products to more specific offerings for iOS and Android, there are thousands of apps and tools to choose from.
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We've talked about many different kinds of
goals and tasks so
0:00
far, however in order to identify some of
the apps and tools
0:03
that might help us become more productive,
I'm going to focus
0:07
on ones that web designers, developers,
and tech entrepreneurs need to consider.
0:10
With professional tasks, we almost always
need to create, edit, manage,
0:16
and share documents of different
0:20
kinds, especially written documents and
spreadsheets.
0:22
Therefore, one of the first tools you
should be considering is Google Drive.
0:25
Google's suite of apps allows you to
create written documents,
0:30
spreadsheets, and presentations, which
they call Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
0:34
If you've ever used Microsoft Office
before, or have
0:39
clients that do, transitioning to these
apps is quite easy.
0:42
Google docs, sheets, and slides all
feature many
0:46
of the common features one would need,
when
0:49
writing up documents you'll need as a
freelancer
0:51
or consultant, such as proposals, letters,
project outlines.
0:54
It also allows you to create many
spreadsheets with all
0:59
the common functions and graphing
capabilities that you would need.
1:01
These apps, allow you to easily share
access, so
1:05
others can edit or add comments of their
own.
1:09
Add to this the ability to access and edit
these files from your mobil device, and
1:12
Google Drive, is an app that many people
1:16
in the tech industry, cannot be productive
without.
1:18
Here's one productivity tip to consider
for those of you
1:22
working on your own, or starting your own
side business.
1:24
Gmail allows you to create and manage
multiple email accounts.
1:27
And creating one specifically for your
side business can be helpful, especially,
1:31
if you anticipate a lot of communication
coming in from your clients.
1:36
Being able to separate your personal email
from
1:40
the professional, is a helpful way to
provide
1:42
focus, and it allows to you create
something
1:45
unique to put on business cards or your
website.
1:48
In addition, Google provides Google
Calendar, where
1:52
you can create events and appointments as
needed.
1:55
With various invite and notification
options.
1:58
With its wide spread use, your Google
Calendars can
2:02
easily be integrated into your mobile
device, to insure you
2:05
don't miss any events that you have coming
up,
2:08
but you won't always be sharing simple
docs and spreadsheets.
2:11
Very often you'll be sharing, or
requesting access
2:15
to project assets like graphics, code, and
other files.
2:18
And that's where Dropbox can come in
handy.
2:22
Dropbox is an app that provides cloud
storage, for whatever
2:25
files you wanna share, or, what to access
from anywhere.
2:28
You can share individual files or folders,
and you can access everything through the
2:32
web, a desktop app, or your mobile device,
but these apps are just the beginning.
2:37
And there are thousands of productivity
related apps
2:43
in the iOS and Adroid app stores right
now.
2:46
Here are some more that you should also
consider.
2:48
If you're looking for a tool to record and
2:51
organize ideas and information, Evernote
is a great solution.
2:53
This app is ideal when you want to file
posts or articles away for later.
2:57
Or, when you're on the go, and need to
record
3:02
something fast that you know you're going
to need later.
3:05
If you have an online team you need to
stay connected with,
3:08
there are a number of chat tools you can
use, including HipChat.
3:11
Have focused discussions with your teams
inside breakout rooms, connect
3:15
one on one and share files, even from your
mobile device.
3:19
Managing projects can be done more easily
with tools like Trello, where you can
3:24
set up projects, checklists, due dates,
and
3:28
assign tasks to yourself, or, your
teammates.
3:31
You can track professional, or personal
projects,
3:35
and check their status right from your
phone.
3:38
If you need to track expensesm and other
3:41
financial data, there's many apps you can
consider.
3:43
Mint is a popular one that provides
3:47
tools to organize and categorize personal
spending.
3:49
While Xero has features that allow small
businesses to
3:53
do accounting, payroll and invoicing, all
from one app.
3:56
And apps like DocuSign allow you to
digitally sign documents from your phone.
4:01
And if you're constantly asked to review
legal documents or sign proposals,
4:05
this can be a great time saver, for you,
and your projects.
4:09
And of course, be sure to look for mobile
versions of the
4:13
apps and platforms that you use in your
office or at home.
4:16
Google Analytics and Hangouts, have
specific apps that
4:20
you can download and so do some web
4:23
hosts, that allow you to monitor servers,
for
4:25
example, just in case your clients have a
question.
4:27
Finally, if you're a fine of automation or
end up performing a lot of repetitive
4:31
tasks every day, you should check out, If
This Then That, also known as IFTTT.
4:34
This web based and mobile service allows
users
4:41
to create simple recipes, that perform
automated tasks.
4:44
Such as sending a picture to Dropbox ,any
time you post to Instragram.
4:47
Or, receiving a notification any time rain
is forecast for tomorrow.
4:51
But these can be used for more than just
pictures or weather reports.
4:56
Many platforms are linked, and you can
create your own simple
4:59
recipes to save time, and increase
productivity within your favorite apps.
5:02
Keep in mind that apps come and go quickly
these days.
5:08
If any of these apps are unavailable,
don't panic, because, there are
5:10
usually two or three others with similar
features, trying to take its place.
5:14
Depending on the types of projects you
work on, or the work you do, you
5:19
might need different kinds of apps to make
5:23
your job easier, and to be more
productive.
5:25
You might have to adopt and app, that an
5:28
organization is using, in order to
accomplish what you need.
5:30
And in some cases, you'll have an
5:33
opportunity, to use whatever tools you
want.
5:35
Well before jumping right in and
downloading an app that looks good, or has
5:37
a lot of positive ratings, remember to
keep your tasks, and needs in mind.
5:42
And not every app will work out, even if
others have had success.
5:47
Like we've said here, productivity is a
very personal concern.
5:51
However, when you do find ways to be
productive, whether
5:55
it's through apps, tools, or techniques
,share your findings with others.
5:58
It might help them, be more productive
too.
6:03
[MUSIC]
6:06
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