I love to share great free resources that can save you time and money in your small business. Here are a few free software suggestions that I’m sure you’ll find beneficial to your business.
If you embrace technology tools you’ll be amazed how much more efficient you will be each day. My three great finds are:
1) Dropbox.com — Dropbox is the easiest way to store, sync, and, share files online. There’s no complicated interface to learn. It works seamlessly with your operating system. It’s a great way to make sure you have the right version of any document, which is really helpful when you are working on a team project. Dropbox allows you up to 2GB of storage free and you can sync your files of any size and across all your computers automatically.
2) Rapportive.com – Rapportive shows you everything about your contacts. You can use this service to connect to your contacts across their entire social media footprint on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. It works right inside your email inbox. It helps you know what the web knows instantly. If you use Gmail, it replaces all those Google ads with helpful information.
3)Tungle.me — Tungle.me is a scheduling application that syncs with your existing calendar. It eliminates double-bookings and time zone mishaps. The Tungle.me application supports Google, Outlook, Apple iCal, Entourage for Mac, Lotus Notes, Windows Live, Yahoo! and connects to major social networks including Facebook, Plancast, TripIt, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Have you come across any resource lately that would help small business owners? Do tell.
Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. Forbes Magazine recently named her one of the Top 20 women for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)
I would also add join.me to this list. It’s a free and easy screen-sharing application that is perfect for demos, trainings or ad-hoc collaboration with colleagues. And it’s free! For a viewer there is no downloads while the host runs a small file that never stays on your computer (unless you want to install it as an app). Check it out by typing in “join.me” in your address bar or learn more on our blog at blog.join.me.
Maggie Hibma
Marketing Manager, join.me
@joinme