As busy entrepreneurs, you rely on technology to make your life both more efficient and more convenient. While you may always be on the lookout for new technologies to make your life easier, the accumulation of each device might actually be slowing you down. So let’s dive into four ways you can condense your tech needs as an entrepreneur.
1. Email
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or not, you’re more than likely to be bombarded with various emails throughout the day. Choosing an email app that keeps you organized is crucial for your sanity and efficiency. Use an email app like Outlook or Kiwi for Gmail that supports functions like, email snooze, filters, auto-forwarding, labels, and auto-responders to keep your inbox tidy. Be sure to make use of keyboard shortcuts that will save you time while managing your inbox. And if you have multiple e-mail accounts to juggle, you’ll be happy to know both Outlook and Kiwi support multiple email accounts right out of the box.
2. Ditch your hard-drive and USB. Go for the Cloud
A few years ago, every entrepreneur was carrying around a big clunky external hard-drive or multiple USBs that stored important files. Now, everything is conveniently stored in the cloud for easy access. Consider using cloud services like Dropbox, Backblaze, or Box, all of whom support syncing on multiple devices such as your desktop, laptop and mobile phones. Businesses can create accounts that have access to specific folders, perfect for keeping the team in sync with what they need and keeping certain files secure only to yourself. Businesses never have to worry about losing important files to hard-drive failures, or have to worry about syncing files from hard-drive to hard-drive.
3. The do-it-all Smart Phone
It’s likely that at some point in time you’ll need to take high-quality pictures for your business. You could invest in an expensive digital camera or a DSLR, or you could just use your smart phone. Resourceful entrepreneurs are quick to realize the power and flexibility of their smart phone, utilizing the camera and photo-editing apps to produce professional looking photos. For example, the built in camera of the Galaxy S7 Edge features a 12 MP rear camera. Couple that with an app like VSCO, and your in business. Unlike a digital camera or DSLR, you’re likely to always have your phone on you. So whether you’re taking pictures for product or for social media, you’re only a snap away using your smart phone.
4. Powerful Apps
Along with the physical specs of a smart phone, it becomes “smarter” when you take advantage of mobile apps to power your business. Think about how your company deposits funds or makes transactions. Think about how your company scans documents and sends them. Think about how your company communicates with customers in real-time. Chances are, there’s an app for that. Having the right app empowers entrepreneurs to be truly mobile and free from being tied to the office. With more desktop apps moving to the cloud or making native apps for mobile devices, the future of the mobile-entrepreneur is here and now.
If you have other tips and advice for entrepreneurs looking to declutter their tech, share your tips in the comment section below.
