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MenuWhat is the best apps to use every day for productivity/growth?
What other apps/sites do you use every day to enhance your work that people may not have heard of?
Answers
As a consultant and writer, I need to juggle a lot of different deadlines and demands. I've found that the best app for me is Asana. It's customizable, so I can adapt it to every project while maintaining a cohesive calendar with all of my deadlines.
That said, I also pair Asana with an old-fashioned notebook and pen. Instead of writing to-do lists, I write have-done lists. At the end of the day, I benefit from a clear picture of what I've accomplished that day — it allows me to step away from my work with a clear mind, knowing that I've tackled a fair number of projects.
If you need help managing your projects, feel free to reach out for my input. I've written about productivity for Fast Company, Inc. and Entrepreneur — I would love to share more thoughts with you.
I find turning my phone off enhances my work more than any app I've heard of, used or deleted.
Rescue Time is reasonably useful although I still find aspects of the UI clunky.
For personal use I'd recommend RescueTime, for team management I'd recommend TimeDoctor + integration with ClickUp (task management) and Slack (communication)
I will divide your questions in two parts, apps for growth and apps for productivity. So first I will begin with the apps that would enhance your productivity both at personal and professional levels.
1. Accounts Payable: QuickBooks with ACH is an easy and free way to simplify your payment process. Through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network, you will move money from one bank account to another. An automatic scheduling feature will save you time each month since you will not be manually making the disbursements yourself. Plus, you will never miss a payment to vendors or employees which is a win-win for everyone.
2. Clearer Communications: A good communication app will facilitate the flow of information among employees and reduce internal emails. You can achieve this with Slack or Skype. Organizations can easily set up channels for specific employees and then share files, data, and updates with that team. Other channels can have a broader reach, keeping the entire company connected. For organizations using Office 365, Skype is the best way to stay connected. Like other tools, it enables you to have virtual meetings, screen share and share documents. But extra capabilities, like drafting and collaborating on a virtual whiteboard and record meetings, make the app stand out from other conferencing or chat solutions.
3. Employee Monitoring Software: Whether you are trying to curtail employee use of social media at work or want a better understanding of how long it takes people to complete certain tasks, employee monitoring tools can help. Popular features include real-time screenshots of employee devices, keystroke recording, activity and time tracking, and email monitoring. But those are not your only options. Work Examiner will let you block certain websites and Hubstaff, has built-in support for payroll and invoicing. Employee monitoring software can be installed remotely and in stealth mode, as well as before the devices are assigned to employees. If you are considering advanced employee monitoring software, it is highly recommended to partner with an experience managed IT services provider.
4. Time and Project Management Apps: If you only use Evernote to make grocery lists, you are missing out on a time management asset. Reminders for tasks can be set, and you can choose to have notifications sent to your phone or email. The app syncs across devices, keeping you on top of your tasks no matter where you are. When you need a way to manage projects, turn to Function Fox. Within the platform, you can assign tasks and due dates, set alerts, update a project’s status, track project and employee time, and manage budgets. It contains everything members of your team need to stay on top of developments and meet deadlines.
5. Expense Apps: It is both difficult and annoying to keep track of physical receipts. Expensify solves this problem because as soon as you get the receipt, you can take a photo and its SmartScan feature will extract the necessary information for your expense report. Expensify is perhaps one of the few apps that both the sales team and accounting departments love and will not live without. Expensify also integrates with several other apps and tools used by companies and business travellers like Uber, Lyft, QuickBooks, Zenefits, Xero and more.
6. Securely Send Files: When clients ask for a way to securely send, share and store files we recommend Sharefile. All your documents can be stored in one place and accessed from any device. Then, using a plugin or the Office 365 integration, you can send encrypted emails. As a result, it is easy for teams to work on projects or share information without worrying about the safety of data.
7. Master Marketing and Email Automation: Simple and robust, Constant Contact enables you to spend less time on sales and marketing emails without sacrificing quality. There are easy-to-use drag-and-drop templates and features like subject line testing that make your campaigns more effective.
Now we will look at the Apps to improve growth.
1. Aloe Bud: Aloe Bud is an easy way to make sure you are taking care of yourself every day. The app sends gentle nudges throughout the day, reminding you to drink water, eat, reach out to friends and more. Instead of guilting you if you are not doing well, Aloe Bud encourages you to celebrate even the small victories.
2. Shleep: The Shleep app (download for iOS or Android) is a helpful app if you are hoping to fall asleep faster and feel more rested when you wake up. Shleep rates how well you are sleeping with a questionnaire and teaches you how to sleep better through learning modules. Depending on your sleeping habits, Shleep will prioritize certain modules over others.
3. ToDon't: The ToDon't app (download for iOS or Chrome) might sound like the opposite of how you want 2019 to be but hear me out. The app works on getting you to procrastinate bad habits or what you do not want to accomplish that day. ToDon't could potentially help you avoid bad choices like checking social media or letting laundry pile up.
4. Loosid: If you are hoping to cut back on drinking or be sober, it is important to find a like-minded community. Loosid (download for iOS) is a digital sober community, providing support to members and celebrating the choice of sobriety. The app links up users with friend groups, dating options and sober events.
5. SmokeFree: Smoking is one of the most challenging habits to break. SmokeFree (download for Android) can help you quit cold turkey or cut back slowly. The app offers users motivational phrases, tips, time elapsed without cigarettes and a chart of money saved. You can use it to set incentives for yourself: For example, with the cash saved by not buying cigarettes you could buy yourself a new phone.
6. Calm: Whether you live with anxiety or just had a busy day, Calm can help you find a few moments in the day to feel peaceful. The app offers hundreds of meditations on topics including anxiety, stress, sleeping, forgiveness, gratitude and more. The sessions range from three to 25 minutes long. The app has a seven-day free trial and then costs either $60 per year or a one-time $300 payment.
7. Anxietyhelper: The Anxietyhelper app teaches you about anxiety and panic attacks so you can better understand what is happening in your body. You will learn signs and symptoms, coping methods and treatment options. If you are actively having an attack, there is a panic alert function to notify a trusted person to help guide you through the episode.
8. Journal: Keeping a journal is one of the best ways to see how much you have changed and accomplished over time. Getting your thoughts and feelings on paper is also therapeutic. There are dozens of journal apps available, so it is all about finding one that best suits your needs. The Day One app just had a big update in August. You can also use the stock notes app on your phone.
9. Stretch Timer: You do not have to commit to a vast amount of exercise to make a change in your life. Developing a habit of stretching at least once a day can make a big difference. It is also doable for most people with physical limitations or injuries. The Stretch Timer app is an easy way to keep track of repetitions and time while listening to calm music.
10. Lumosity: If you play games to distract yourself or wind down from a long day, this could be for you. Lumosity lets you play games, learn, and improve your mind all at once. The app includes puzzles, memory games, logic problems, meditation techniques and more. As you play, you can track your progress while learning your strengths, weaknesses, and cognitive patterns.
Besides if you do have any questions give me a call: https://clarity.fm/joy-brotonath
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How has Uber grown so fast?
Obviously, they do the fundamentals well. Good brand. Good experience. Good word of mouth. Good PR. Etc. Etc. But after my interview with Ryan Graves, the head of Global Operations at Uber (https://www.growthhacker.tv/ryan-graves), it became clear that they are operationally advanced and this is a huge part of their success. I'll explain. Uber isn't just a single startup, it's essentially dozens of startups rolled into one because every time they enter a new city they have to establish themselves from essentially nothing (except whatever brand equity has reached the city ahead of them). This means finding/training drivers, marketing to consumers, and building out local staff to manage operations for that city. This is where Ryan Graves comes in. He has a protocol of everything that must be done, and in what order, and by who, to ensure the best chance of success in a new city. So how has Uber grown so fast? Essentially, they figured out how to grow in one locale and were relentless about refining their launch process to recreate that initial success over and over in new cities. No plan works for every city, and they've had to adapt in many situations, but it is still a driving factor for their success.BT
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How much equity should I ask as a CMO in a startup?
Greater risk = greater equity. How likely is this to fail or just break even? If you aren't receiving salary yet are among 4-6 non-founders with equivalent sweat investment, all of whom are lower on the totem pole than the two founders, figure out: 1) Taking into account all likely outcomes, what is the most likely outcome in terms of exit? (ex: $10MM.) Keep in mind that 90%+ of all tech startups fail (Allmand Law study), and of those that succeed 88% of M&A deals are under $100MM. Startups that exit at $1B+ are so rare they are called "unicorns"... so don't count on that, no matter how exciting it feels right now. 2) Figure out what 1% equity would give you in terms of payout for the most likely exit. For example, a $10MM exit would give you $100k for every 1% you own. 3) Decide what the chance is that the startup will fail / go bankrupt / get stuck at a $1MM business with no exit in sight. (According to Allman Law's study, 10% stay in business - and far fewer than that actually exit). 4) Multiply the % chance of success by the likely outcome if successful. Now each 1% of equity is worth $10k. You could get lucky and have it be worth millions, or it could be worth nothing. (With the hypothetical numbers I'm giving here, including the odds, you are working for $10k per 1% equity received if the most likely exit is $10MM and the % chance of failure is 90%.) 5) Come up with a vesting path. Commit to one year, get X equity at the end. If you were salaried, the path would be more like 4 years, but since it's free you deserve instant equity as long as you follow through for a reasonable period of time. 6) Assuming you get agreement in writing from the founders, what amount of $ would you take in exchange for 12 months of free work? Now multiply that by 2 to factor in the fact that the payout would be far down the road, and that there is risk. 7) What percentage share of equity would you need in order to equal that payout on exit? 8) Multiply that number by 2-3x to account for likely dilution over time. 9) If the founders aren't willing to give you that much equity in writing, then it's time to move on! If they are, then decide whether you're willing to take the risk in exchange for potentially big rewards (and of course, potentially empty pockets). It's a fascinating topic with a lot of speculation involved, so if you want to discuss in depth, set up a call with me on Clarity. Hope that helps!RD
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How do you make money to survive while you are building a business? What are some quick ways to make money with less time commitment?
I love this question. If you have to work on the side while building your business, I recommend doing something you absolutely hate. That keeps you hungry to succeed on your own. You'll also typically save your energy for the evenings and weekends where you'll want it for your business. Don't expect to make much money at your "other job" but you can work it to pay the bills while you build your business. This approach also forces you to build incrementally, and it keeps you frugal. This is not necessarily ideal. Having a bunch of money set aside sounds nice and luxurious, but not having the resources puts you in a position where you have to figure it out to survive. I love that. I started my business eight years ago on $150 and today we do a million a year. Don't wait until you have the resources to start safely. Dive in however you can. And avoid shortcuts. Don't waste your time scheming to make bigger money on the side. Do something honest to live on and create a business that drives value.CM
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I have this social media idea,but no coding skills. How do I get someone to do the coding (cant afford to pay them) and not give away half of my idea?
Dilip was very kind in his response. My answer might be a bit on the "tough love" side. But that's for you to decide. My intention, just for the record, is to help you (and those like you) on your path to success. And that starts with having a viable philosophy about entrepreneurial-ism and business. And I'm going to answer this because I get asked some form / version of this question very frequently from newcomers to entrepreneurial-ism. The scenario goes something like this: "I have a great idea. It's amazing, I love it, and I just KNOW it's gonna make me a ton of money. But I have no money right now so I can't afford to (fill in the blank with things like "to build it / create it / market it / etc" or "to hire the required staff needed to work in my business to sell it / develop it / etc"). And I don't want to tell anyone about my great idea because I'm worried someone will steal it and make MY million / billion dollars. But I can't afford to legally protect it either... So how do I launch without the skills to personally create the product AND no money to hire anyone else to do that either??" The answer is ... You don't. Look - let's be honest. All you have is an idea. Big deal. Really. I'm not saying it's not a good idea. I'm not saying that if properly executed it couldn't make you a million / billion dollars... But an idea is NOT a business. Nor is it an asset. Until you do some (very important) initial work - like creating a business model, doing customer development, creating a MVP, etc - all you really have is a dream. Right now your choices are: 1. Find someone with the skills or the money to develop your idea and sell them on WHY they should invest in you. And yes, this will mean giving up either a portion of the "ownership" or of future income or equity. And the more risk they have to take - the more equity they will want (and quite frankly be entitled to). 2. Learn how to code and build it yourself. MANY entrepreneurs without financial resources are still resourceful. They develop the skills needed to create what they don't have the money to pay someone else to do. 3. Get some cash so you can pay someone to do the coding. You'll probably have to have some knowledge of coding to direct the architecture of your idea. So you will likely still have to become knowledgeable even if its not you personally doing the coding. (This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of options... And I'm sure some of the other experts here on Clarity have others to add - and I hope they do) To wrap up - Here's my final tip to you that I hope you "get"... It's FAR more valuable to have an idea that a very specific hungry crowd is clamoring for right now - One that THEY would love and pay you for right now - Maybe even one they'd pre-order because they just have to have it - Versus YOU being in love with your own idea. [Notice I didn't say "an idea that some as-of-yet-undetermined market would probably love"] I wish you the best of luck moving forward.DB
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If I am planning to launch a mobile app, do I need to register as a company before the launch?
I developed and published mobile apps as an individual for several years, and only formed a corporation later as things grew and it made sense. As far as Apple's App Store and Google Play are concerned, you can register as an individual developer without having a corporation. I'd be happy to help further over a call if you have any additional questions. Best of luck with your mobile app!AM
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