Eight Tech Tools for Getting Things Done – MBH033 (Podcast)

Welcome to the whiteboard for Session #33 of Making Business Happen Radio, the show to help you build your business playbook. This is the podcast to help you become more profitable, productive, and prepared to grow your business. I’m Dallon Christensen, your host and the founder of Whiteboard Business Partners. This podcast is brought to you by Kent Julian’s Speak it Forward Boot Camp from May 2-4 in the Atlanta, Georgia area. I have attended this event in the past, and it is the best conference I’ve attended to help you build a speaking business. Much of what you find on my own speaking page is what I’ve learned with Kent’s guidance. Sign up using the promotional code “whiteboard” to receive a special registration bonus for participating. The eight productivity tools I’ve tried (and so should you) I have discussed how you must build your own workflow ideas without the help of technology. However, technology can be a tremendous way to improve your productivity. Smartphones and tablets, when used correctly, can give you the ability to stay productive and organized anywhere. These eight tools are productivity applications I’ve tested for at least one project to help me become more organized. Asana – The Simplified GTD Experience Free for up to 30 users I have used this for shared projects and grocery lists iPhone app is very easy to use Tags give GTD functionality Allows sharing and comments among team members and outside people Evernote - The All-in-One Cross-platform is the biggest benefit Not designed as a GTD tool, more of a reference tool Very flexible – can arrange the system as you like Evernote’s key functionalities Scanned paper Forwarded e-mails Tagging Notebooks – I share a notebook with my coach, for example $45/year or $5/month for premium version. Free version available IQTell- The Collector Currently in private beta – sign up here I have tested the beta and found several great features Single point of access for many productivity items Calendar E-mail Tickler items Reference items Can link many tools into IQTell Evernote Google Calendar Can also link multiple e-mail accounts Ability to create action steps and projects from a reference item or e-mail is a good touch Great for people who want a single point of contact for their productivity system Sahaf Flam, IQTell’s co-founder, is a future guest on Making Business Happen Radio. OmniFocus - The GTD Powerhouse Closest thing to a GTD-approved app – GTD/Omnifocus manual Follows the GTD workflow very closely Many features Subtasks Different perspectives Most expensive option $79.99 on Mac App Store $39.99 for iPad app $19.99 for iPhone app   Taskpaper - The Minimalist $11.99 on Mac App Store, $4.99 for universal iOS version Three structures Projects Tasks Notes Use tags for any identification desired @today – What you want to complete today @next – What you want to do next for each project Could also tag with context or people names Clean, simple structure Things - The Mac Experience Must pay for all three versions $49.99 on Mac App Store $19.99 for iPad $9.99 for iPhone Most visually appealing of the “traditional” task apps No contexts like OmniFocus Can use tags for contexts, people, etc. Good mix of GTD methodology and flexibility Trello - The Visual Experience Currently free Corkboard concept – Like adding cards to a series of boards Can set up boards by project, client, or other setup Ability to share with co-workers and outside users Colored labels have flexible use Red – Today’s tasks Green – Next actions My wife and I use this for many home checklists and tasks Grocery lists Nightly cleaning duties Zendone - Evernote integration Free beta testing as of February 2013 Intergrates with Google Apps and Evernote Able to turn an Evernote item into an action item or a reference item Can create items from Zendone directly into Google Calendar iOS app available If you enjoy what you are hearing on Making Business Happen Radio, please leave a review on iTunes. These reviews help the show gain more exposure for those looking to improve their own businesses. If you have a question for the show, please leave a voicemail from the homepage of Whiteboard Business Partners or leave an e-mail at feedback@whiteboardbusiness.com. Tune into Session #34 for an interview with serial entrepreneurs and husband-and-wife team Brad Feld and Amy Batchelor on how to make marriage and entrepreneurship work. Until next time, I’m Dallon Christensen. Now go out and make your business happen! Related posts: Getting Things Done is about workflow, not technology – MBHP031 (Podcast) Three great CRM tools you should try – MBHP015 (Podcast) Getting Results with Getting Things Done – MBHP029 (Podcast)