Now that entrepreneurs can run an entire business on the go, the smartphone revolution is well and truly at its peak. While the commercial Apple slogan “There’s an app for that” might sound overzealous, the increasing rate at which business owners rely on their phones and tablets suggest there is truth to this claim.
Whether you use your cell phone to check emails, update social media, or to run your entire business, there’s no doubting that technology has given us a helping hand in our day-to-day tasks. Here are just five ways that successful entrepreneurs around the world are using their smartphones.
Smartphones for Productivity
There are numerous productivity resources for entrepreneurs online, including note-taking apps like Evernote that allow you to keep track of daily life. Users can create notes, presentations, save web pages, note down expenses, and take voice recordings on the go. Letterspace is another free productivity app that uses hashtags to organize notes into an accessible interface.
Smartphones for Security
Whether your business relies on just one smartphone or numerous employee devices, installing security software is essential if you want to protect your data. It’s also important to formulate an effective smartphone security policy, making sure you, as the employer, have the right to manage, lock down, or even wipe clean a device if you believe your data is at risk. If you suspect an employee of smartphone misconduct, you can hire forensic services online today to search your employee’s device for evidence.
Smartphones for Accounting
These days, it’s entirely possible to manage your accounts from your smartphone alone, meaning you can send and receive invoices, manage business expenses, and run payroll remotely. QuickBooks Online is an invaluable resource that fuels over two million businesses around the world. So, whether you’re self-employed or you head up a team of employees, using simple accounting software could save you up to eight hours a month on your bookkeeping.
Smartphones for Communication
It sounds obvious to say that cell phones facilitate communication – after all, that is why they exist in the first place. However, entrepreneurs can take professional networking to the next level with apps like Humin. The application combines your contacts, dialing habits, and voice mailbox to determine who your most important contacts are. Better yet, Humin reminds you how, when, and where you met those stray business acquaintances, negating the need for awkward conversations and small talk.
Smartphones for Scheduling
There are tons of scheduling software programs and apps available to smartphone users. While it doesn’t hurt to use a handheld diary for staff scheduling, creating staff rota using online tools will save you time and will prevent headaches caused by manual data entry errors. So if you’re still using a handheld diary or ROTA, it’s time to go digital and save yourself a few headaches. Every successful business owner knows that time management and workflow go hand in hand, so let your smartphone do the hard work for you. Workflow is a fantastic app for managing tasks of any size, while applications like Doodle, Appointy, and Visibook will save your sanity when it comes to planning your week and making appointments.
