It seems that there’s an app for just about everything these days and those for boosting productivity at work are no exception!
It’s only human for us to struggle to stay motivated at work from time to time, so a tool that gives us a much needed boost when productivity is running low makes the perfect gadget for the office. All you need is a compatible device and an internet connection and you’re all set to go!
Luckily for us, there are a number of apps available which can help with everything from reminding you about important deadlines and taking notes, to communicating and collaborating with your team; so whatever it is that you need to get done, these apps can help you to get it done faster and more efficiently!
1) Evernote
Evernote is essentially a digital notebook, where you are able to record and store an online collection of notes, reminders, photos, web pages, etc., all on the go. These are then accessible to you from any smartphone or computer and you can also add tags to each entry so that they are easy to search for among your files.
This app is great if you need a helping hand keeping your work organised! Some useful ways to make use of the app include keeping track of your ‘To Do’ list, taking notes in meetings and storing research for later reference; meaning you can take your work everywhere you go and keep track of your tasks.
2) Workflow
Workflow is an app that is designed to make everyday tasks at work run more smoothly, by syncing the other apps that you have downloaded on your device and creating combinations for them to perform actions together. The app has over 100 functions, connecting your existing apps and actions together to automate things you do on your device. A few examples of things you can do using Workflow are: make PDFs from Safari; get directions to your desired destination; download all of the images on a web page, update your social media accounts and many more.
Think of it as your very own office assistant.
3) Dropbox
Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud-storage apps available, making it possible for you to access your files from any device. The app automatically backs up, synchronises and shares photos and files that you save on the app, meaning you can access your documents from any location or device. Although an internet connection is required to sync all of your files initially, they are then accessible to you offline.
Some of the greatest advantages of using Dropbox are that it’s a great app for storing large files without using up the storage on your device and it’s also a quick and easy way to share documents with other people, even if they do not have a Dropbox account of their own. In addition to these, you can create and edit Microsoft Office files from your device and automatically back up your photos and videos.
4) GoToMeeting
Got a busy schedule full of phone calls and meetings? GoToMeeting could be just what you need!
GoToMeeting video conferencing app that allows you to host virtual meetings with up to 25 people from any device, making it perfect for managing business meetings. The app makes scheduling a call quick and simple and it even boasts a speaker identification feature that lets you know who is talking in a joint phone call, saving you from any awkward moments! It also facilitates screen sharing for remote presentations, so whatever the host shows on their screen, the meeting attendees can also see, such as slideshows, spreadsheets, etc.
Got a conference call booked while out of the office? No problem!
5) Sunrise
Sunrise is a free calendar app that syncs all of your other apps and accounts, so that you can keep track of all of your upcoming events in one place. The app is compatible with Google Calendar, iCloud and Exchange, as well as allowing you to connect it with apps such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Evernote, Foursquare, Trello and more.
By syncing it with your social media accounts, Sunrise will connect your events to attendees’ accounts so that you can see the photograph and profile of those you are meeting with. The app also comes with ‘Meet’, which is a keyboard that you can use in any messenger app and enables you to schedule a meeting without having the leave the app you are currently in.
Like most of the other apps mentioned, Sunrise automatically syncs between your phone, tablet and computer, so you can access your calendar from anywhere.
No excuses for not staying on top of your schedule now!
6) RescueTime
Are you guilty of procrastinating at work or find yourself easily distracted? If you work in a job that involves spending a lot of time at your computer, it’s easy to get side-tracked by the infinite temptations that the internet homes and this can have a detrimental effect on your work performance.
Well RescueTime may be your saviour!
This great app helps you to maintain your focus on your work, by tracking and managing how you use the internet, in order to discourage unproductive use of your time. You can block websites that you are aware are a distraction, such as social media sites; as well as track what websites you visit to observe where you spend the most of your time. Within the app, you are able to set goals to help improve your productivity and it will produce reports of your internet use that show how much time you spent in different categories, how productive you were, and whether you achieved your goals.
Wave goodbye to those days wasted on Facebook!
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