Top Ten Ways to Leverage Technology
by Michelle Ulrich
In recent days, I have spoken with many people who have all kinds of new technology gadgets. One person I used to work with was an early adopter (he had to have all the new stuff the minute it came out); we called him Mr. Gadget as he had holsters to carry some of it around on his hip; stuff was always hanging out of his shirt or pants pockets or on his ear. Some of this technology I speak of includes the latest PDA or SmartPhone, a new mp3 player or even new gadgets for the computer.
Did you know that after the 'new phase' wears off, most people often get bored or frustrated because the new gadget didn't really deliver in terms of efficiency. It promised to make life so much neater, tidier and help you become more productive, but it didn't deliver. I'll bet you know someone who has experienced this or maybe it was you.
I am not immune from this rather elusive 'efficient technology' either. I have a SmartPhone that I paid a lot of money for and I only use it as a cell phone. It has the capability of recording my audio notes (grocery list, to do items, client tasks, whatever I want to record), sync with my Outlook, send/receive email, take photos with the camera, and more. Currently, I can't sync it with my Outlook because I upgraded to Microsoft Vista last fall. Now, my phone won't sync because I have to download a patch or install other new software to make it work. So much for efficiency.
This is NOT how I envisioned 'efficient technology' to work. I envisioned 'efficient technology' as a tool to help make life less complicated and more efficient so productivity can skyrocket! Of course, if you don't figure out what you want the product or service to do for you in advance, evaluate it on trial to see if it matches your vision and test it out, it may be difficult to determine if it is the ideal technology or service for you in the first place. Just because there is a new technology, tool, program or service that promises to make you more efficient and productive, chances are that it may not be the ideal tool after all.
Here are ten ways to leverage technology to help you determine if the transition will be productive and worthwhile.
- Look for simple tools that do not require an engineer to interpret the instructions.
- Evaluate your purpose in using the technology (Do you want it to automate an everyday task or process or will it be a one-time use?)
- Decide if it will *really* save you time or is it just for fun?
- Learn all you can about the uses and how it might save you time.
- Have someone explain what the tool or service might do for you for clarity.
- Commit to using the tool the way it is intended for a trial period.
- If it proves to be too hard after about one week or the full trial period, then don't waste any more of your time or investment of money.
- For ultimate leveraging, you can ask a staff member to try it out for the trial period for you. At the end of the trial period, request an evaluation with pros/cons.
- If your business is growing, you may want to know if the technology or service will also grow with you. If not, it may not be the right tool for you in the long run and your time 'now' will be wasted.
- Stick with time tested tools. Just because you don't have the latest tools, doesn't mean you are living in the dark ages. Be sure to periodically evaluate new software or technology that may help you automate your everyday tasks. Remember, don't abandon older technology just because it isn't the latest technology of the week. Just be smart about switching or upgrading.
Bonus: Last, be creative or find user groups to help you find shortcuts that help you become even more efficient.
Below are some favorite technologies we use to help our team leverage technology and automate everyday tasks.
Basecamp - Simple organization for any project. Basecamp's flexibility makes it a great match for all kinds of groups and businesses. And while your projects and purpose may be different, the goal remains the same: To allow you and your colleagues to easily track and organize all aspects of a project — or team effort — in one place.
Logmein - My team and I use LogmeIn to facilitate business while I am away from the office or out of town on business. I also use it to log into my computer to retrieve specific documents or check email.
Businesses and IT service providers use LogMeIn's solutions to deliver remote end-user support and to access and manage computers and other Internet-enabled devices more effectively and efficiently. Consumers and mobile workers use our solutions to access computer resources remotely, thereby facilitating their mobility and increasing their productivity.
Professional Cart Solutions - Jump-start your online business and enjoy a hands-free income! Our integrated eCommerce solutions allows you to sell products, services and communicate with your clients through your website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, automatically. There is no software to buy or to install.
Timebridge - TimeBridge’s one-step scheduling is the most efficient way to schedule meetings with large groups or individuals across time zones, calendaring systems and companies. TimeBridge allows users to easily schedule meetings, share their availability with others, and connect directly with calendars including Outlook and Google Calendar. While online calendars help users track their time, TimeBridge facilitates the social, and often complex process of getting busy people together — in person, on the phone or online.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Michelle Ulrich is the Business and Internet Marketing Strategist of Michelle Ulrich & Company as well as Chief Villager of The Virtual Nation. She publishes the
Virtual Vision bi-weekly ezine with hundreds of subscribers. If you're ready to dig your feet into business, work on your internet marketing strategies, increase your bottom line, and have more fun with your business, get your dose of invaluable resources from either one of these two sites: www.michelleulrich.com and www.thevirtualnation.com.
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Have you ever said, "It will only take me 5 minutes to do that."? And I bet you also thought - "It will take too long to show my assistant how to do a simple task; I'll just do it myself." I know I have said and thought these things. Time adds up. If you did 10 tasks a day that 'really' took you 5 minutes, you would have spent 50 minutes on tasks someone else could have done for you. You could pay that person less than you charge your clients, too. So, let's say you do that. In 50 minutes, what could you have accomplished?
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