Essential Tools for the Starter Executive
:: By Michelle Wicmandy ::
via Website Magazine's Software Everywhere Channel
In today’s complex business world, executives are increasingly relying on devices and Web applications to manage schedules and stay in touch with team members, business partners and clients. With the right devices and applications, starter professionals can prioritize, organize and continue to excel in their professional and personal lives.
FILE SHARING
Dropbox offers an easy solution for sharing large files with anyone anywhere. David Stephens, Founding Member of the Grameen Technology Advisory Board and Advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, knows first-hand the pain endured when a device vanishes. “You don't realize the amount of information stored on your computer until it’s gone,” he says, advising people to back up files in a cloud-based application, like Dropbox or an alternative.
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COLLABORATION & CONFERENCING
Noodle is an intranet platform with robust communication
capabilities. According to Covario
Chairman of the Board Russ Mann, “Noodle is
an excellent communications tool and offers us the
ability to hold video conferencing with our global
team.” Other platforms for collaborating include:
Skype offers a cost-effective solution for conducting
domestic and international calls as well as
holding video conferencing sessions on either a
one-to-one or a one-to-many basis.
WebEx is useful for on-demand collaboration,
online meetings and video-conferencing from remote
locations.
SOCIAL MEDIA
LinkedIn helps professionals make new connections
and manage contacts. With more than 10,000
contacts of his own, Stephens explains that the
platform allows him to maintain relationships and
conduct business quickly.
Google+ is an efficient communication tool that
permits group video chat, collaboration and file
sharing among members within the circle.
Twitter is used by many as a way to acquire and
engage with new or existing contacts — outside
of crowded email inboxes.
Tumblr integrates with Facebook and Twitter, allowing
users to share content such as images,
video, audio, quotes and short posts with others.
Blogs permit users to share content with internal
staff, customers, partners and associates. Mann adds
that maintaining a blog helps organize and disseminate
the right information to the right people effectively
and efficiently.
Instagram connects with other social networking
services and a brand’s website. Mann mentions
that it's useful for posting and tagging photos of
products, events or customers that spur conversations.
Just like other social networks, companies
can offer incentives for visitors to follow, like and
post comments.
YouTube (and webinars) are useful for sharing
demonstrations or educational information.
Private Social Media Networks such as Yammer
and Clubster offer members the ability to collaborate
securely across departments, geographies,
content and business applications.
SOCIAL MEDIA SCHEDULING
Buffer app, a social media scheduling tool, is a time-saving application that deploys messages to different sources — Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts — according to a desired schedule. Paul Hattimer, social media professional and club communications for Pine Hills Country Club explains that this tool improves messages by delivering them to the right audiences, at the right time and via the right channels. In addition, Buffer app offers extensions for the major browsers, mobile devices and integrates with many news-reader apps.
TRAVELING
When traveling, the experts interviewed here agree
that their emergency packs include a cellphone,
laptop or notebook, 12-hour backup battery,
power cords and a Bluetooth device for hands-free
communication while multi-tasking. Integrating
these portable devices with Web applications has
become central to establishing and maintaining
business relationships.
About the Author: Michelle Wicmandy is a regular contributor to Website
Magazine, a lecturer at the University of Houston
Downtown and an executive-level marketing and business
development professional.
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