109: Seven Online Tools That Will Help You Do Your Best Work - a podcast by Dave Stachowiak

Technology is great, but only if it helps you work better. On this episode, I share 7 online tools that I use and will help you get the most of our your time. I currently use them all daily in my work and I'm excited to share their benefits with you.My three criteria for selection these tools:Cross-platform
Not apps/tools that you already know everything aboutClear business model
Frees time to invest doing the things you are best atI currently use all of them

Highrise (highrisehq.com)The problem this solves: Trying to piece together everything someone has every told you in multiple places.
Far less complex than traditional CMSsManage relationships
Track conversationsTag people for events, projects, etc.
Track details (birthdays, family names, etc.)Integrates Twitter and LinkedIn
Basic task managementTracks pending customer deals
Free plan up to 250 contacts / 30-day free trialWhat will this help you do? Get stuff out of your head and manage lots of different relationships.

Basecamp (basecamp.com)The problem this solves: Re-doing the same work again and again and checking in to see if people have done stuff.
Project management trackingTemplates for projects
Integration with a teamNo free version, but a 60-day free trial (no credit card), $20/month

TimeTrade (coachingforleaders.com/timetrade) [affiliate link]The problem this solves: Spending countless hours going back and forth with people on times to schedule with you.
You give TimeTrade calendar access (Outlook, Calendar, Google calendar) and it looks for free spotsYou have a link and people can schedule and cancel automatically
Great for people who are outside your organization and don’t want to have any detailed access to your calendarAppointments show up automatically in calendar and by email
One downside - you need to watch what is free in your calendarFree version is available, but I use the $49/year version
Check out http://coachingforleaders.com/timetrade [affiliate link]for a 30-day free trial

Lift (lift.do)The problem this solves: Keeps you on track for the daily habits that are important to you.
Set habits in the systemTrack when you complete them
Follow others and encourage others and get encouragement in returnExample: Wake up at 5am
It sends you little motivators by email on alerts on your phoneThis version is entirely free
See screenshot below from my iPhone 

Instapaper (instapaper.com)The problem this solves: Cool articles on the web distracting you from getting your work done
Set up an account and install an extension in your browserSee something you like? Hit the button on your browser and it saves it into your account.
Read it later on the device you want to use. I use the Instapaper app on my iPad.I can then send it other places.
Instapaper account is free, but the apps are a few dollars, depending on the device you use. Or, you can read on the web.Pocket is a another alternative, but I'm not clear on their business model.

Buffer (bufferapp.com)The problem this solves: Staying engaged on social media without having to be on social media all the time
One of my goals this year - show up more online. But how, with limited time?Fill your queue with relevant things for the people who follow you
Buffer will post them on your behalf at regular intervalsGreat way to feature the work of others - I do this especially with Twitter
Free version available, but I use $10/month version1Password (1password.com)

The problem this solves: Not having to track all those passwords in your life and also limiting the ability of hackers to get access to your lifeCreate unique passwords for every site you visit online
Keep them all in one place, protected by a master passwordLogin automatically from your browser
Syncs across devices using Dropbox or iCloud

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