So, you’ve finally managed to start working from home. It might not be under the best of circumstances, or even by choice, but nonetheless, here you are. The thing is, you need to be sure that you have all of the tech tools you need to not only do your job but do it well. To that end, here’s a quick look at some of the things that can help you.
Evernote
There are times when you need to take notes, drag and drop various documents into your notes, search within your notes, or even save websites offline for later use. This is where Evernote shines. Its functionality is amazing and the range of features makes it at the top of any tech tools list for people working from home.
Invoicing
If you’re going to be invoicing clients, you’ll definitely need a program or app that can handle it. A lot of people recommend things like QuickBooks Pro, and that’s a good one that’s packed with features. However, if this is a short-term thing and you want something that’s both functional and easy to use, PayPal offers invoicing as well and it’s incredibly easy to use.
Video Conferencing
There are times when having a face to face meeting with coworkers or clients is better than a phone call. Today, we’re lucky enough to live in an age where video conferencing or calling is made easy by apps and programs like Skype, Zoom, and even Oovoo, which is a bit easier to use and to set up than Skype is. However, regardless of the app you use, be sure to turn it off when your call is over so that you aren’t still broadcasting unaware.
Communication
“Remember when we had that conversation with that lady a while back and she said that she had an opportunity for us? Who was she?” Have you ever had a conversation like that? This frequently happens and it’s typically about projects and people from the past that you don’t exactly remember all of the details about. This doesn’t need to happen anymore. If you use apps like Slack and their mobile apps, all of your messages with your coworkers, along with emails and texts, will be stored right in a centralized database. With a simple keyword search, you’ll be able to find any communication about anything.
Remote Access
These tools allow you to connect to the business server and internal systems from home so that you essentially are using a virtual desktop. Typically, the performance of these tools is fantastic, depending on your internet connection, and they’ll work on nearly any type of device, from smartphones and tablets to Macs and PCs. One of the most popular options when it comes to remote access is Microsoft’s Remote Desktop. Products made by Citrix are also good, as is GoToMyPC. If it’s for only a single user, LogMeIn is highly recommended.
The thing about working from home is that it isn’t simply working from home. It has to do with how you’re working from home. You need to be both as productive and as available as you can possibly be (during work hours). It’s a good thing that there are plenty of inexpensive or even free tech tools available that can help you with doing just that. Keep in mind though, that it’s easy to get distracted when working from home. During work hours, stay in a space that’s quiet, close the door, and be sure to close the door on your work when your business hours are over so that you can decompress.
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