Mike Vardy's Blog, page 28

How Can You Protect Your Business In The Modern Era?

For many business owners, there are few situations more disastrous than the idea of having your business invaded or attacked in some way. This could be from an intruder into your premises or by someone gaining access to your network without your permission. It’s for this reason that security is often considered to be an incredibly important aspect of any business. Sadly the truth is that, even when they’re aware of the potential consequences, a lot of business owners simply don’t pay enough attention to the security of their business. Perhaps they only pay attention to specific things, or maybe they simply don’t treat security as quite as much of a priority as they should. No matter what the reason is, this kind of attitude can lead to some pretty serious problems overall. You should think of your security measures as a suit of armour around your business. A chink in your armour is going to leave some part of you exposed to attack. For your armour to be effective, then it has to cover every piece of your body, and the same goes for your business. If you’re not making sure that every aspect of your business’s security is carefully maintained and functioning properly, then you’re letting the entire thing down. Criminals are constantly on the lookout for things that they can exploit, and they are incredibly skilled at zeroing in on any place in your business where security may be lacking. The only way to avoid that is to patch up every crack in your security and make sure that your suit of armour leaves no area exposed.

Cybersecurity

As time goes on, more and more businesses are moving online. Even businesses that have always been based on brick and mortar establishments are coming to terms with the fact that there’s simply no way to function properly in the modern era without moving online. This not only means building more of the business around your presence on the internet but it applies to everything from storage to finances to communication. This has been an incredibly useful and powerful addition to many modern businesses as it allows that to work more efficiently and productively. However, that isn’t to say it doesn’t come with its share of dangers. Anything that you do online comes with the risk of some form of cybercrime. This means that it’s incredibly important that you take the time to make sure that your anti-malware, anti-spyware are all up to date as well as checking out the various cyber security courses that are available. Cyber criminals make a point of constantly working to get past your security measures so it’s incredibly important that you keep things up to date since it’s often the only advantage you’re going to get over them when it comes to cybersecurity. 

Lock and key

Of course, just because there’s more of a focus on the online aspect of your business than ever before, that doesn’t mean that you should ignore the physical side of your security. No matter how heavily your business is based online, you’re almost certainly going to need a physical space from which to run it. This could be a warehouse, an office building, even just a spare room in your home! No matter what space you’re using to run your business, you need to invest in proper security measures. The first, and most obvious, is to keep everything locked up securely at the end of every day. But it’s important to think about things like alarm systems and security cameras as well. Even the toughest lock can potentially be picked or broken, so it’s important to have other measures in place. Security cameras are fantastic because they not only allow you to identify intruders in the event of a break-in, but they also act as a deterrent. If an intruder sees a network of security cameras and realizes that they have nowhere to hide, that makes it all the more likely that they’re simply not going to bother your business and just walk away. Of course, there will always be those who won’t be put off by cameras so having an alarm system in place means that, if an intruder does get into your premises, both you and the authorities can be notified immediately. There are always different levels of security systems and which one you choose will depend on a host of factors including your budget and the size of the business itself.

Responsibility

All of the advanced security measures in the world aren’t going to make even the tiniest bit of difference if you don’t have a serious focus on individual and shared responsibility within your business. Make sure that your employees are all aware of what their responsibilities are and that they take them seriously. Every employee should have a secure password for their computers that is changed regularly. They should be aware of the security systems in place and make sure that they’re working with them as effectively as possible. Of course, it’s important to remember that your employees aren’t going to be able to just do this stuff by themselves, they need your guidance in order to help your business be as safe and secure as possible. Creating a culture of security in your business isn’t always easy but it is incredibly important. Make sure that you’re offering security training so that each and every employee in your business knows full well how to avoid any kind of intrusion or security breach.

It might not be the most exciting aspect of your business and can sometimes even feel like a waste of time. After all, what happens if you put all this effort in and you never actually need it? Well, for one thing, if that happens then you should be celebrating! It’s far better to take the time and effort to make sure that your business’s security measures are all up to scratch and then never actually need them than to have no security at all but realize, too late, that you really needed it.

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Improve Your Cognitive Function And Productivity With These Recipes

When we are working hard every day and trying to be more productive throughout our lives, there is nothing more important than investing in your body and your brain. 

Whether your main goal for this year is to do cyber security courses, to find a new job, or to start your own business – in order to reach your goals your brain needs a push in the right direction. 

Today we are going to look at some healthy and hearty recipes you can eat that will fuel your brain the right way and help you to be more productive this year. 

Coriander lime salmon 

The first recipe we have features a known brain superfood – salmon. Salmon is a food that is ideal for strong brain function and it is an ingredient full of omega 3 and 6 to promote healthy brain function. 

Ingredients: 

2 fillets salmonJuice and zest of 1 lime 1 small bunch coriander1 tsp garlic paste 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp chilli powder Salt and pepper First of all, take the salmon out of the fridge and season it with salt and pepper and chilli powder. Place into an oven safe dish. Mix all of your marinade ingredients in a bowl and then pour this on top of the salmon. Add a lid or foil to your dish and bake for 20 minutes at 200C. Uncover and bake for a further 5-8 minutes to help the sauce thicken into a glaze. Serve with some spicy rice or a nice pile of veggies. 

Pumpkin spice latte

Coffee is a food that will wake your brain up in the morning and can also help you to lose weight. Coffee is full of caffeine that will help to boost your metabolism as well as wake up all of the muscles in your body to give you energy for the day. 

Ingredients: 

100ml water100g sugar 1 tsp ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg ½ tsp cloves 300ml milk 1 espresso In a saucepan, add your sugar and water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and allow the sugar to melt completely, add your spices and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove and cool. Heat your milk in a microwave or on the hob. Add your espresso and 2 tbsp of the pumpkin spice syrup to make a warming coffee. Add to a glass and top with whipped cream for an extra indulgence. 

Blueberry breakfast muffins 

Full of antioxidants and well as vitamin c that is great for the body, blueberries can be a wonderful fruit to start the day with and these little berries will do wonders to your diet. 

Ingredients: 

200g blueberries 1 large banana 1 large egg 3 tbsp flour 1 tbsp oats 1 tsp baking powder 3 tbsp honey 1 tsp cinnamon Mash your banana in a bowl and whisk together with your egg and honey to create a light and fluffy mixture. Add the dry ingredients and mix into a thick batter. Tip in your blueberries and mix to combine. Scoop into cupcake cases and bake for 20 minutes at 190C. 

Crispy chicken and rice 

Turmeric is a powerful ingredient for the body and will do wonders for your health. Not only helping to promote good brain function, turmeric is also useful for relieving joint and muscle pain to keep you feeling healthy.

Ingredients: 

2 chicken breast, butterflied and split 2 tsp flour 1 tbsp paprika 1 tbsp Parmesan 200g rice 300ml vegetable stockJuice and zest of 1 lemon Handful coriander 1 tbsp turmeric1 small shallot 1 garlic clove Lay out your chicken breasts and season them with salt, pepper, and paprika. Onto each breast, sprinkle a little bit of flour. Heat up a frying pan with some oil and once hot add your chicken breasts. Pan fry for 4 minutes and then flip over. Once you’ve flipped it, add some Parmesan onto the top of your chicken. Once both sides are done, quickly flip the chicken one more time to crisp up the Parmesan for 1 minute or so. In a saucepan, take some oil and add your chopped shallot and garlic clove. Stir through for a few minutes. Add your rice, turmeric, lemon juice, and vegetable stock. Bring to the boil and then simmer, cover and leave for 10 minutes. Once cooked, add your lemon zest and coriander and season to taste. Serve with your crispy chicken. 

Beef and broccoli 

Beef and broccoli is a classic dish you’ll get in the takeaways, but it is the broccoli we want to focus more on. Broccoli is full of vitamins and minerals perfect to fuel the brain for a great day. 

Ingredients: 

300g rump steak 1 head broccoli2 tbsp dark soy sauce 1 tsp ginger paste1 tsp garlic paste 1 tsp Chinese five spice Salt and pepper1 tbsp rice wine vinegar 1 tbsp sesame oil1 tbsp honey Mix the dark soy sauce, ginger paste, garlic paste, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and honey and whisk. Set aside for later. Slice your rump steak into thin pieces and then add to a wok with oil. Season with salt, peoper, and Chinese five spice. Cut your broccoli up and pre- steam it over a pan of boiling water for around 5 minutes until fork tender. Remove. Once your steak is cooked, add the sauce and broccoli and stir. Simmer for a few minutes to thicken the sauce into a glaze. Serve with rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds as garnish. 

Dark chocolate and raspberry tart 

Dark chocolate is known to be great for the body, and this simple recipe won’t take long at all and will leave you with a nice evening treat.

Ingredients: 

1 pack ready roll pastry 200g dark chocolate 200ml double cream 2 tbsp raspberry jam Fresh raspberries for garnishRoll out your pastry and line 4 mini tart cases or 1 large tart case. Add some grease proof paper and baking beans to the pastry and then blind bake it for 10 minutes at 190C. Remove the baking beans and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden. Heat your cream and add to a jug. Chop up the dark chocolate and add this to the cream. Leave to sit for a minute and then whisk until smooth. Once your pastry is cooled, add some raspberry jam into the bottom of each case. Pour in your chocolate mixture and smooth out. Chill for an hour and then add some raspberries to garnish. 

The post Improve Your Cognitive Function And Productivity With These Recipes appeared first on Productivityist.

Episode 393: Eric Partaker talks about The 3 Alarms

Your alarm can literally help you succeed. Coach and mentor Eric Partaker shares how the simplest system of setting three alarms can transform your health, wealth and relationships.

Eric Partaker coaches and mentors entrepreneurs and leaders throughout the world, helping them reach peak levels of performance, in both their businesses and lives. He draws from his world-class work experiences at McKinsey, Skype, and Chilango, cutting-edge research and behavioral science from Stanford University, and the approaches and techniques used in the worlds of elite sports and the military – areas where peak performance is key.

In this conversation, we uncover some key insights from his latest book ‘The 3 Alarms: A Simple System to Transform Your Health, Wealth, and Relationships Forever’. We also discuss peak performance traps, visual reminders, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – and the cost of a plane landing in an emergency.

Want to support A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page where you can find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life. You can see all of our current sponsors – including the ones for this episode – here.

Talking PointsWhat Eric discovered from his near-death experienceThe IPA triggersWhat we mean by ‘antifragile’The power of the words we use and how identity drives behaviorWhat the superhero version of you looks likeEric’s Three Alarms

“In some shape or form, you’re already doing ‘The Thing’.“

– Eric Partaker

Helpful Links‘The Three Alarms’ by Eric Partaker‘Antifragile’ by Nassim Nicholas TalebBlack Swan (2010)Episode 266: Becoming Indistractable with Nir EyalEric Partaker on Identity, Purpose and Change – Beyond the To-Do List‘Atomic Habits’ by James ClearEpisode 227: Why You Need Atomic Habits with James ClearEricPartaker.com

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

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Episode 392: Pamela Slim talks about the Widest Net

Pamela Slim uncovers how to connect with potential clients and customers using the true breadth of the marketplace.

Pamela Slim is an author, community builder, consultant and former corporate director of training and development at Barclays Global Investors. Since 2005, Pam has advised thousands of entrepreneurs as well as companies serving the small business market such as Infusionsoft, Progressive Insurance and Prezi.

In her latest book, The Widest Net, Pam explains how to build strong diverse relationships, identify and connect with new partners, expand markets and find new customers in places you may never have considered. It’s been a long time coming having Pam join the show. Join us as we discuss stress-testing a framework, the always/ never list, books tours – and unintended puns.

Want to support A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page where you can find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life. You can see all of our current sponsors – including the ones for this episode – here.

Talking PointsPutting together the Widest Net frameworkPam’s variation of the customer avatar exerciseUnderstanding your ecosystemThe Accordion principle and setting boundariesBeginning a business with a mission statementFostering the right business relationshipsFinding your ‘Peanut Butter and Jelly’ partners

“Running a business is always a team sport.“

– Pamela Slim

Helpful Links‘Widest Net’ by Pamela SlimK’é Main Street Learning LabEpisode 103: The Unmistakable Srinivas RaoEpisode 388: Mike Michalowicz talks about Getting DifferentYou Need A Budget‘Quiet’ by Susan CainPamelaSlim.com

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

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Great Business Ideas To Start This Year

Looking for a new venture to try this year? Entrepreneurship is a tempting beast, and when you feel stuck in a rut or are looking for a way to make more money for yourself and your family – starting a business can be a great idea. 

Today we want to take a look at some business ideas that you can consider this year that will be unique and fun, and could become your new passion in life. 

A pottery business

Pottery and ceramics can be an incredibly relaxing and fun hobby to pursue. You can make this into a great career by getting yourself some good quality clay, some glazes and a kiln to help seal everything in. Creating things out of clay is a wonderful art form and the best part is that there are no rules and this means you’ll be able to create whatever you want whenever you want it. You can be as creative as you like and make designs that no one has ever made before, putting your personal stamp on the craft. 

A cafe 

If you love to create food for people and it has always been your dream to be a pillar of your local community – consider opening your own small cafe. This way you’ll see people in the community every single day and you’ll be able to meet new faces and make some lifelong friends. As well as this, you can create your own favourite home recipes and share these with your local community whether it be a soup, sandwich, or a cake. Be aware that running a cafe does require a lot of organisation to ensure less food waste, but it can be a good challenge for you to rise to. 

A bar 

One amazing way to get your career off the ground if you love to mix drinks and host parties is opening a bar. Opening a bar will allow you to welcome in people from all over to your establishment and you can run events such as tribute nights and quiz nights to make things more exciting. The great thing about a bar over a restaurant is that you don’t have food to worry about – you can simply provide some snacks such as nuts and crisps. You can also think about playing around with drinks and creating your own signature cocktails that people Will travel far and wide for. 

A mini-golf course

If you want to really to unique with your new business opportunity this year and there is a blank plot of land in your local area, why not try building and opening a mini-golf course? This can be one of the most fun and unique things you will ever do and it will allow you to create scenes and use fun props to make your course stand out. This is a great idea and one that will be fairly easy for you to run if you have another side hustle to take care of as well. 

An online shop 

The world exists online these days, and if you are looking for a new idea for a business an online shop is always a great idea. You can sell anything from your online shop such as your own artwork, technology, and even clothing. Consider what your passion is and what you love to create and have some fun! 

A YouTube channel 

If you are searching for a job that allows you to do anything you want and manage your own time, a YouTube channel can be a great idea. YouTube is a diverse and freeing career option because it will not only allow you to try new content, but you can team up with Top Selling Watch Brands or any brand and get sponsors and affiliate links. This will either mean free stuff, experiences, or money for advertising. There is a whole wealth and breadth of opportunity on YouTube that you can take advantage of and if you can follow trends you can look to be even more successful.

A blog 

For those of you who love the idea of creating content but not the idea of being in front of a camera – a blog is a great idea for you and it can provide you with many opportunities. Bloggers all over the world create unique and fun content every day, and you can join the ranks and create your own brand of content that is unique to you and that works for your needs as a creator.

The post Great Business Ideas To Start This Year appeared first on Productivityist.

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Episode 391: Lisa Erickson talks about the Art and Science of Meditation

There is a true art and science when it comes to meditation. Meditation teacher Lisa Erickson shares how to build a sustainable practice once and for all.

Lisa Erickson is an energy worker, writer, and meditation teacher specializing in women’s energetics and sexual trauma healing. She has trained in multiple contemplative traditions and energy healing modalities, and is certified in mindfulness meditation instruction, kundalini activation, and trauma sensitivity.

Her new book ‘The Art and Science of Meditation’ as such a powerful resource. It guides you  through ways to overcome common obstacles, easy-to-understand explanations of classic spiritual texts, guidance on choosing meditation teachers and retreats, and much more. In our conversation we explore how to build a sustainable meditation practice, how to find a style that suits you, the health benefits, walking habits – and doing nothing for 60 seconds.

Want to support A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page where you can find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life. You can see all of our current sponsors – including the ones for this episode – here.

Talking PointsWhy meditation is such a valuable practiceSetting realistic goals and the power of micro-meditationThe parallels with diet and nutritionThe role of consistency when building new habitsMixing up your meditation stylesOvercoming the myth of ‘conquering’ meditationWhy chakra meditation is Lisa’s go-to practiceGuided meditations and appsThe role of supplements

“Trust that change is happening.“

– Lisa Erickson

Helpful Links‘Creative Quest’ by QuestloveThe Muse headband‘The Art & Science of Meditation’ by Lisa Erickson

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

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Episode 390: Perry Marshall talks about Detox, Declutter, Dominate

Business strategist Perry Marshall has benefited hugely from the 80/20 principle and having more free time to create. He shares a clear path forward that will help you eliminate wasted effort.

This episode is sponsored by UCI Division of Continuing Education. With over 80 career-focused programs – ranging from business, education, tech, engineering and so much more, there is something for everybody. What is more, enrolment is open to all. Stand out from the work that you do and gain the practical skills you need today by enrolling on to one of their courses today. Visit ce.uci/edu/LearnNow .

Endorsed in FORBES and INC Magazine and has authored eight books, Perry Marshall is one of the most expensive business strategists in the world. At London’s Royal Society he announced the world’s largest science research challenge: the $10 million Evolution 2.0 Prize. His reinvention of the Pareto Principle is published in Harvard Business Review, and his Google book laid the foundations for the $100 billion Pay Per Click industry. He has a degree in Engineering and lives with his family in Chicago.

I found Perry’s latest book ‘Detox, Declutter, Dominate: How to Excel by Elimination’ truly fascinating (it reveals a lot in just 36 pages), so it was great to unpack some of his key insights. In this productive conversation we discuss the elimination mindset, free-writing, email response times, morning walks and written down bucket lists.

Talking PointsThe breaking point that lead Perry to write his book ‘Detox, Declutter, Dominate’The key to Renaissance TimeHow to get past “I don’t have time for XYZ”The two types of work: instructional and creativeFinding out what creates your creative juicesThe principle of the $2700 espresso machinePerry’s morning journal routine

“Space in your life starts here.“

– Perry Marshall

Helpful Links‘Detox, Declutter, Dominate’ by Perry MarshallEpisode 351: Eating Frogs with Brian Tracy‘Hemingway’ documentary‘The Art of Impossible’ by ​​Steven KotlerUnderstanding the Job – Clayton Christensen talk‘The 80/20 Principle’ by Richard KochEpisode 385: Adii Pienaar talks about Measuring Life Profitability‘Life Profitability’ by Adii Pienaar42: the wildly improbable ideas of Douglas Adams – KickstarterPerryMarshall.com

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

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Episode 389: A/J Jackson talks about Music, Glasses and Color Theory

Best known as the lead singer for the band Saint Motel, A/J Jackson has taken on another exciting endeavour – AVIEW, an innovative new eyewear brand. Find out how he schedules time to be an artist.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers you access to your own licensed professional therapist – all from the comfort of wherever you are. You can arrange weekly video chats or phone calls, text with your carefully curated counsellor, and do so at an affordable price. And anything you share is confidential. I’ve been using BetterHelp for a while and I am highly impressed. It’s been a huge help for me and I know it can be the same for you. Start living a happier life today with BetterHelp. As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/timecrafting. Give BetterHelp a try today.

A/J Jackson is an American filmmaker, musician, songwriter, record producer, and the lead singer for the band Saint Motel. From feeling too limited to one color choice with his own eyewear – A/J Jackson took the leap and created interchangeable tinted lenses. He’s now the founder of AVIEW, which helps you experience a new way of wearing glasses where you can swap out colors whenever you feel like it. Colors can affect your mood, productivity, and general sense of well being.

I really enjoyed speaking with A/J Jackson and learning how he maintains his ‘creative muse’. In this episode we discuss how it went from making music to glasses, finding a team of experts to work with, color theory – and the 3D printer at his local library.

Talking PointsTaking on new creative projectsColor theory and its impact on mood and productivity The meaning behind ‘rose-tinted glasses’The power of changing your working environmentExperimenting with hyper-schedulingOn being a disciplined artist

“By chunking your time, you’re starting afresh each time.“

– A/J Jackson

Helpful LinksAVIEW.com‘Hemingway’ documentary‘The Authentic Swing’ by Steven Pressfield‘The War of Art’ by Steven PressfieldJerry Seinfeld: ComedianA/J Jackon’s Instagram

Enjoy the show? Want to keep up with the podcast? You can subscribe to the podcast feed by clicking the “Share” button in the player above – and you can share it further using the same button as well. You can take things even one step further by rating and reviewing the show wherever you listen to podcasts. (FYI: I use Overcast on iOS.)

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8 Productivity Apps Every Business Owner Needs

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No business can thrive without adequate productivity. But even the most productive and enthusiastic individuals, teams, and corporations require careful management, planning, and collaboration. Unfortunately, these essential business tools can be challenging to organize, especially as your company grows and you balance work and home life.

Fortunately, there are numerous excellent and intuitive apps available for almost all phones using iOS and Android. Many apps are also available as desktop or web programs for Linux and Windows operating systems. Additionally, integration with existing apps is common such as integrating Calendar with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook.

Calendar – Integration with Others

It’s not uncommon to keep personal and business life separate and in separate calendar apps. Apps like Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook are excellent on their own, but you can find yourself switching between them. However, doing so can lead to scheduling conflicts and forgotten events. Fortunately, there is one planner to rule them all.

Calendar is a web app accessed via mobile or desktop web browsers such as Chrome or Firefox. This intuitive app can merge data from your existing schedulers like Google Calendar and Outlook into one. It will also sync up with other apps. So anything created in one will show in Calendar and vice versa. 

Systems: Web Browsers

Trello – Professional Collaboration

Most of your business likely revolves around collaboration with others. For example, you cannot hope to be the best florist in your area without meeting with your team, suppliers, delivery drivers, and clients. Trello is one of the best management and collaboration tools available. It’s kind of a business version of Todoist.

As such, Trello can appear a little more professional than similar apps, putting some people off. But once you learn how to use the interface, it is compelling. Trello allows you to arrange meetings, set deadlines, and organize tasks. But the real power is its robust real-time system that allows quick changes and asynchronous communication.

Systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web Browsers

Todoist – Simplified Task Management

Running a business can get in the way of life, and life can get in the way of running a business. You can easily forget simple tasks like picking up groceries or attending your child’s play. While you probably already create simple To-Do lists in your journal or calendar app, they sometimes get spread across multiple devices or apps and can be missed.

Todoist simplifies complex tasks by allowing you to add functions as projects. For example, you can set deadlines, schedule specific times and dates and organize tasks into projects. This way, the app always knows what you are doing and when, so nothing is missed or double-booked. You can also manage tasks by priority, and the app comes with a nifty reporting feature.

Systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web Browsers

Airtable – Familiar and Powerful 

Whether you operate a large-scale international shipping company or a street corner café, you must manage productivity and projects. There are numerous project management apps and programs available, but they can be tricky to learn. Airtable isn’t the easiest to learn as it requires some knowledge of functions.

The fact that it operates as a spreadsheet program means it is familiar to anyone who has used apps like Excel in the past. However, Airtable is more powerful than Excel and others in that you can manage projects just by clicking. In progress and planned projects are broken down into smaller tasks, and you can assign priorities to each task.

Systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android

Monday – Large-Scale Collaboration

Project management apps like Trello are excellent for collaboration and communication with smaller teams. But there may come the point where you require something more robust. Monday is a collaboration and project management tool aimed at growing or larger-scale projects where multiple teams and tasks are managed simultaneously.

Surprisingly, the interface is more simplified than other management apps of the same caliber. For example, you can manage tasks, teams, and individuals using timeline and task views. And you can also utilize multiple views for tracking progress, assigning new jobs, or acquiring reports. Additionally, Monday also supports file sharing between various parties.

Systems: iOS, Android, Web Browsers

Doodle – Makes Meetings Happen

Doodle is one of the best collaboration management tools available because it is straightforward to use. The interface operates precisely like a spreadsheet-based planner, yet meetings and collaboration features are built-in. Many planners are available, but Doodle comes into its own when arranging meetings, video calls, or conferences.

The app can organize collaboration around availability, events, and even time zones. Essentially, if you use this tool, you can make a meeting happen. The system works best when each user sets their availability times for others to see. You can then plan events accordingly. Additionally, Doodle can integrate with other apps like Outlook and Google Calendar.

Systems: Web Browsers

Toggl – Keep Track of Time

Money is vital in business, but time is valuable. Unfortunately, time is the only thing you cannot ever get back, so it’s essential to make the most of it. Toggl is among the best tracking apps and will allow you to track the progress of any task. However, its main feature will show you just how much time you’re spending on individual clients.

With individual tracking information, you can make decisions about how much you should charge for your expertise. Expertise such as start to finish projects, consultation, and employee labor. You can then translate this information to your invoices. The great thing about Toggl is that its interface is straightforward, and the app is cross-platform between mobile and desktop operating systems.

Systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web Browsers

Forest – Focused Productivity

A recent survey in the United States found that the average American spends almost 4 hours per day on their smartphone. That equates to 50 days, a highly shocking loss of time that you could spend being more productive. Unfortunately, you might be one of those people who spends too much time on their phone. Fortunately, like everything else, there’s an app for that.

Forest is a friendly app that turns staying away from your phone into a game. The idea is that you set a task and focus on it for a set amount of time. In that time, the tree will grow. Pick up your phone, and the plant will die. A successful plant will earn coins. You can use coins to purchase natural seeds for planting in underdeveloped countries.

Systems: iOS, Android

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How To Increase Your Output And Sales In Business

Increasing your business output is the key is to increase sales. The more efficient you are in your business, the greater chance you have at creating more interest from current and new customers, which will push more sales. More sales mean more financial success, which is every business’s aim. On that note, here are some tips on how to increase your output in order to increase your sales in business.

Increase your shipping capacity

If you have limited shipping capacity, then you will limit the number of sales you can complete. If you cannot fulfill enough orders, then you will end up with unhappy customers or lose interest altogether. 

You can increase your shipping by finding new and affordable providers. For instance, if you rely on overseas shipping and want to increase your capacity, you can find instant ltl freight quotes online and start shipping more products to fulfill more orders. 

Eliminate distractions

Eliminating distractions is key if you want to develop unbreakable levels of focus. Distractions can deter you from your work and reduce your output. You might leave work each day not having complete your to-do list, which can impact the efficiency of the business. Thus, sales will reduce. 

To eliminate distractions you first need to discover your distractions. Find out what it is that causes you to lose focus. When you discover your distractions, remove them altogether from your workspace. You will find that you can concentrate more, which will translate into a greater output. 

Improve your marketing strategy

To entice customers in and keep them engaged, you need a great marketing strategy. One that is frequent will ensure that customers do not forget about you. Furthermore, one that is friendly and inviting will ensure that you don’t get lost in the sea of other businesses. 

To improve your marketing strategy, here are some tips:

Post regular content throughout the day (and schedule): posting regular content will ensure that your business isn’t forgotten about. If you post once, then you might not be discoverable by audiences across the world. Whereas posting multiple times will ensure that more customers can be reached. A greater marketing output will ensure to get you noticed by more customers. If you lack time to post throughout the day, you can plan and create your content and use a scheduling platform so that it gets posted without you having to do anything. Use multimedia: using multimedia will make your content more engaging. Plain text will likely not grab a reader’s attention, whereas images and videos will. Using a mix of media will be more engaging and allow you to show off a deeper message.Reply to customers: if you are hoping to grab the attention of customers and keep them engaged, then you will want to engage with them. If they comment on your social media marketing posts, then they will expect engagement. Simply replying to them will ensure that they feel noticed, which will encourage them to use your brand and show that you care about customer service.

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