I’ve built a business from the ground up – and, primarily, on my own, until recently. It’s proven to be challenging to be the point person for all incoming and outgoing communication. It’s also challenging to be the accountant, receptionist, chief strategist…and all those other hats you wear as a small-business owner! I’ve kept my ear to the ground for new innovations to make my life a bit easier – and those I have implemented have not disappointed. In fact, dare I say, it is possible to do it nearly all yourself – most days – if you have technology on your side!
With that in mind, here’s my list of the top 5 essential tech innovations I can’t live without for my business.
- Boomerang for Gmail – If you are a Gmail user, you will love this add-on! It allows you to schedule emails to send to recipients at a later date/time. You can also “boomerang” emails to come back to you at a specific time, when you are ready to reply to the email, preventing your inbox from being clogged. And you can use it to remind yourself if someone hasn’t replied to your email within a specified time period. Think of it as your secretary.
- Inbox pause – This one has been a game changer for me. I often need to use email to complete other work tasks – but would get distracted by new emails arriving in my inbox. Now I turn on Inbox pause and can complete the task at hand without getting sidetracked. This has made a significant difference in my productivity levels — when I remember to use it.
- Xero – For anyone with a small business, Xero is a must. It makes invoicing, bookkeeping and tracking your budget easy and — dare I say — even fun!
- Headspace – I use the Headspace app for 10 minutes of guided meditation each morning. For anyone who hasn’t tried meditation, it’s an easy introduction.
- Google analytics – If you have a website, installing Google analytics is a must. You can view a multitude of information — including how many people are visiting your website, how long they stay, which pages they look at, where they are from and what device they are using. This information can be used to improve the website experience for your visitors. Try to get in to the habit of reviewing data on a monthly basis and implementing a change based on your findings. It will do wonders for your business!
Maree Ferguson, Director, Dietitian Connection
Edited by Laura Byrne