Get $h!t Done (Like a Pro!) - Part 2

In this office, we’re all about effectively and efficiently getting sh*t done. Who has time to waste on organizing projects and managing every team member? Not this team! For this article, we’re focusing on Project Management tools - the ones we know and love and a few that were new even to this team. Let’s dive in, shall we? 

Project Management

Every company on Earth needs some element of project management. Whether that is the role of the leader or the associate, these apps help you create projects and stay on top of the work as it gets done. 

Asana: Asana is so mainstream, it’s practically the de facto project management tool these days. All who use it, love it, because it makes it super simple to create, track and manage projects, even with remote teams. We love that it offers list views and calendar/workflow views, so teams can see the full picture, regardless of their role in it. 

Zoho Connect: Similar to Asana, Zoho Connect exists to empower remote teams to collaborate and get things done. The software allows for projects to be created and delegated, teams to connect via a chat function and so much more.  

Trello: A product of Atlassian, Trello allows for teams to work together on Boards, creating timelines, assigning tasks and tracking progress, in a simple and easy-to-use format. It’s very easy to get started, and free to small teams. 

Airtable: Users love Airtable because of it’s highly interactive format, showing multiple views, allowing for attachments, status tags, and so much more. It comes used and loved by some of the biggest and best in the business, including Netflix, Shopify and more. 

Team Communication

If you’re not using an app to message team members (even if it’s just about everyone’s favorite topic - LUNCH), you’re doing something wrong. Using a communications platform allows teams to feel connected, even when far apart, and allows for the informality of the “water cooler” talk to exist when everyone’s remote. 

Slack: One of the most widely used chat platforms, Slack has come on to the scene and gotten even bigger since the world went into quarantine. Designed to allow teams to chat, share documents, etc seamlessly, it replaced the Skype and Google Chats of the world, because of how seamlessly it integrates with Asana, Google docs and more. Our team could not survive without Slack, we use it all day, everyday. 

Microsoft Teams: If your office is a Microsoft office (no pun intended!), you’re probably using Teams non-stop these days. It’s a great interface for chatting, video calls, and collaboration via group messages, plus it seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products. 

Video Communication

2020 called and said if you didn’t use Zoom or Google Meet, were you even awake this year? 

Zoom: Has anyone not been on a Zoom call this year? We’re willing to bet not, but please tell us if we’re wrong! Our team, our client teams, and our partner teams all live and die by Zoom. It is without a doubt one of our most used apps, and has allowed the working work to continue turning, even without everyone working from home. If your meetings are short, you can use Zoom for free, if not, a low monthly cost will give you unlimited Zooming. 

Google Meet: The Google counterpart to Zoom, Meet has seen a huge increase in adoption since the world went remote. It works similarly (and seamlessly adds Meet link to all Google Cal invites) to Zoom, and is totally free to any Google user (even those who use Google for their personal email).

RingCentral: RingCentral works similarly to Zoom and Meets, but adds the benefit of a phone system to the mix, making it a great option for any company that wants to switch up their phone provider.  

GoToMeeting: An oldie but a goodie, GoToMeeting (by Webex) is a tried and true service for video conferencing. They offer free trials, high security and more, so teams can communicate effectively and securely. 

Note Taking

OneNote: Microsoft’s solution to note-taking, Onenote is designed to help you take and keep notes, as well as collaborate and share them with teams and revise/highlight as you go. 

Evernote: Evernote wants to be the only note-taking app you need. With features like handwriting search, to list making/task check offs, and integration with documents, Evernote makes it simple and easy to take and find notes later. 

Google Keep: Keep is Google’s solution to Evernote. With a seamless plug in to Chrome, Keep allows you to take notes, create lists and color code based on topic or area of life. 

Notability: Designed to get you to “fall in love with note taking” Notability allows you to combine handwriting, drawing, images and add notes, annotations and more. This ones for you if you love writing your notes out and sketching alongside of them.

Notion: Combining note-taking and project management, Notion allows you to take notes and organize them into an actionable plan that you and your team can collaborate on. It’s very emoji friendly, so if that’s your thing, this may be the perfect note-taking app for you. 

Dictation: 

Dictation apps can save you a lot of time and effort if typing isn’t your thing (or if you need to record a conversation for your blog or podcast). Here are the apps we love for this. 

Google Docs Voice Typing: If you have a computer with a microphone and can use Google Docs, you’re in business for dictating your words onto paper. Google makes it that simple, as only they can. 

Siri: That said, if you’re more of an Apple user, Siri can help you type out your thoughts by listening and converting them into words. 

Dragon by Nuance: If you voice dictate often for your work, Dragon by Nuance may be the software for you. Designed for PCs (with a free iOS app), Dragon is not cheap, but may be just the thing you need if dictation is a big part of your work. 

* This might be trademarked, and if it is we’re going to apologize in advance, but we swear a lot and have taken liberties with the S.  Literally no infringement intended or implied.  There are many authors and companies that use these words and the acronym GSD.  Each of them can help you put together strategies to help you effectively manage your time and accomplish great things. Reach out to them to learn more.