What I like about Dropbox

• Excellent way to connect your computers without literally connecting your computers. What I mean is, place documents you are working on in a folder. Able to access the folder anywhere on any computer either through the software that you downloaded and installed or through a browser on a public computer. There is even an app for that.
• Fantastic time management tool. No longer need to rely on a flash or thumb drive.
• Able to work directly off of a folder. If working on a team and are remote, why not stay informed often with the folders that contain the files that are always getting new updates by your team members.
• Your files are safe.

What do you like about Dropbox and how has it worked for you?

Download

• Tweet

Saved by Akismet Plugin

Daily we are bombarded with spam. Whether it be email, snail mail…and now your blog. Having Akismet installed and activated blocks unwanted comments, know as spam. A comment status history will be available to you. Some that are older than 30 days will be automatically deleted. There are times we are so bombarded with comments that who has the time to go in and delete ones we think are spam. This plugin will help keep all of those comments monitored regularly.

Download Akismet Plugin

• Tweet

What I like about the ‘Google Analytics Dashboard’ WordPress Plugin

Save time without the hassle of logging into Google Analytics account to view traffic received on your website. Consider installing Google Analytics Dashboard WordPress plugin. Easy to install and configure, be sure you have your username/password handy. You will be able to tell which pages are receiving more traffic than others with this plugin. Also, visits, pageviews, pages/visit, average time on site, top searches, etc. are some of my favorite features.

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/google-analytics-dashboard/installation/

• Tweet

Image Horizontal Reel Scroll Slideshow Plugin

There is a great plugin called Image horizontal reel scroll slideshow that scrolls through either logos or images. This would be a great way to showcase what associations you belong to.  Can place on your sidebar or in content area. The slideshow will even pause when roll mouse over logo.

LIVE EXAMPLE:

Go to: http://createtocomplete.com

http://healthywebsitedesign.com

• Tweet

Time Management Classes

Take a class to learn some of the greats tips and tricks on time management.

You may learn how to….

1. Avoid negative thinking. This will overwhelm you so much that may not get anything accomplished in that given day or week.
2. Schedule time for interruptions
3. Take 30 minutes out of morning to plan your day
4. Practice not picking up phone when it’s ringing, or reading new emails every time they show up (practice checking three times a day)
5. Block out social media distractions. Dedicate that time to a 10 minute period at the start and end of day.

These are only some of the ideas that may get out of taking a class.

• Tweet

Google Analytics Dashboard Plugin

No more hassle of logging into third party to review traffic data. Save an enormous amount of time by installing the Google Analytics Dashboard plugin. This plugin has the following features;

1. View data right in the comfort of dashboard

2. View data of each page

3. Monitor traffic daily, weekly, monthly, or annually

• Tweet

Vacations are needed from time to time. How do you know when it’s time to take an extended break from it all?

1. You find yourself thinking of reasons to take a vacation
2. Thinking negatively about your co-workers or worse case, your clients
3. When you are asked to stay late…yet again or working endless hours.
4. When you wake up on a Sunday and start getting dressed for work.
5. You just know.

• Tweet

I learned a great tool that is highly effective from my business coach with (Shadowpoint Consulting) and recommend it to any business owner. He also recommended only highlighting 6-7 action items. I designed this tool in a way that would be easy for me to follow. I gotta hand it to him as this has the most effective tool I have found that is working. Best part is, it allows you to keep a track record of who contacted.

What to consider to add to daily activity checklist.

1. Day of week
2. Date
3. Guideline (different color) along top indicating what to do everyday on a Monday-Friday plan.
4. Optional: compartmentalize your daily tasks by the following; early morning, mid morning, late morning, Lunch (networking), early afternoon, mid afternoon, late afternoon, early evening (networking).
5. Compartmentalize also by day of week: i.e. Monday’s and Friday’s are my days I blog.
6. Add the amount of time to spend on that task. This is crucial. It’s easy to stay on Twitter way too long reading posts. If anything, whenever I go over my limit, I have my sheet starring at me reminding me to not stay on too long.
7. My sheet contains hot links to access/get to the information as quickly as possible by clicking on a link. But, I also keep a hard copy on my desk next to my computer. If feels great to check that box, I tell ya!
8. I divide my sheet into two columns as it’s easier to follow.
9. Also include networking events attend, who have contacted that day (vendor, client, etc.), research conducted, attention to social media.
10. Lastly, at the end I list some success ingredients to acheive my goals. Think of them as rewards. How will you reward yourself to stay on task? Mine is attend yoga at least twice a week. You decide! Do what works best for you.

• Tweet

I need a vacation already!

When is the last time you have had a vacation? It doesn’t have to be a full on expensive vacation that costs thousands of dollars. It can be as simple as taking an hour out of your day or even an entire day off for a time out. Wouldn’t you be more productive if took time away from your work, marketing services, networking, etc.

1. Attend a Yoga Class

Ever wanted to really let go of all the stress of the day, this is a really good option? Some of my favorite places to attend yoga classes are Whole Yoga in Denver, Colorado, Samadhi Center in Denver Colorado and Whole Yoga in Denver, CO.

2. Take a 10 Minute Walk

If time does not allow to take an entire day off, just take 10 minutes our of day instead.

3. Play hooky, go skiing for the day.

Small business owners have the flexibility to set their own hours. Reward yourself of truly escaping by hitting the slopes.

4. Take a nap or meditate.

Resting your eyes by closing them for a short period is good to prevent eye strain especially if focused on the computer all day.

5. Take a Real Vacation.

It’s time to save up for a real vacation. Not only do you come back feeling rejuvenated, your come back to the office as more productive. Sometimes you come up with some of your best ideas when asleep or relaxed while on vacation.

• Tweet

Batchbook CRM, a fun and social solution to stay connected

I’m in favor of using Batchbook for my CRM! For as low as $14 approx. a month, I have benefited from the following;

1. Import easily from Email Client or Social Media account.

Easy to export from Entourage (or other email client) and LinkedIn. Be sure file is .CSV file to import into Batchbook database. Be sure and download the template supplied and change the heading fields accordingly.

2. Custom Fields.

I’m always disappointed in the limited fields in other tools out there to organize your contacts. I like having the ability to able to add my own fields to each profile. Especially related to know how important each contact is to me in whether they are a lead that is worth contacting right away or down the road. Through this CRM, they define their custom fields as ‘SuperTags’

3. Tracking communication.

Even though, Batchbook is not a email client, there is a way to track what emails have been sent out. There is a key that can be found under the communication tab and can either be added to your emails in the BCC area (see example) or click on email from Batchbook and it will automatically open your email client (Entourage, Outlook, etc.) with the key already added to the BCC field. I just have not found a way to track the returned emails.

4. Social Media Incorporated.

Waiting for Facebook to be added to Batchbook. But, for now, have the ability to add Twitter, LinkedIn, and Flickr accounts. There is even a search engine button to save some time if don’t have account information of each contact handy. It will even add a picture to your profile to help identify the person more quickly in your list of names. Although, noticed it updates the picture only if have twitter account, not LinkedIn.

5. MailChimp integration.

Ability tie with MailChimp, an email newsletter program similar to constant contact.

6. Web Forms

How about an easy solution adding a contact form or email newsletter sign up? Imagine the ease of keeping record of who signed up and adding contact to database. Also, you can set up promotions to encourage people to sign up and again gets automatically added to database.

I’ll keep adding more features I really like in the near future, but for now, what has been your experience with using Batchbook?

• Tweet