Tools

These are the people I use and the products I like, I know I need to spend more time writing reviews on the things I buy.  Maybe I’ll add that as a New Years resolution.

Business Resources (Applications)

I find these Applications and subscription services are some of the most valuable time-saving resources I use daily to do work for myself and for my clients. Many of them have corresponding Mobile apps that allow you to secure branding territory on the move. Below is just a quick stream of consciousness list. I’m coming back and adding reviews and why I “invest” with them vs others, but I wanted to put this out there for those who are looking for marketing assets to launch a new businesses in the short term:

• Hostgator- Web Hosting and E-mail administration
• AWeber- Bulk E-mail management, list management and storage
• MegaphoneApp- Sign-up pages, Digital Product distribution
• Namecheap- Domain acquisition
• Google ad words- Traffic monitoring, site analytics, keyword search and its FREE (well sort of)
• Azonauthority- Amazon Store inventory management
• Audible (click here for two free audio books)– Business books on digital playback for your mobile device.  This is a game changer if you have a commute; I listen to books all the time and I feel strongly its put me on the right path.  I’ll add my favorites on a separate page the subscription is the key to saving a ton and getting the bang for the buck.

Home-Office equipment (Various things I like)

I pretty much exclusively shop through Amazon Prime (or Prime Now) for office equipment and office supplies it’s an extremely predictable experience, easy returns and I find that pricing is competitive if not better in most cases. Here are couple of my favorite Home-Office devices time saver purchases (in no particular order):

Meeting Projector (tiny)– This thing is so cool, my clients all “Oooh and Ahhh” when I put it on the table. Its a bargain compared to many and keeps the bags for meetings too a minimum since its smaller than a can of soda.  I just looking and it looks like they have upgraded it since I got it in February of 2016 you will also want a Tripod for the table top.  

Lexmark wireless printer– I know printers have pretty much become disposable I find that the cartridges are practically more expensive than the machine itself. I have a pile of printers waiting to be recycled or sold (wishful thinking)? The Lexmark I use currently was incredibly easy set up with my MacBook Pro and works great wirelessly.

Brother label maker (printer + cartridges) – Key at filing time, I use to try and print labels for files off my MAC (Bad Penmanship see below)… I would put off filing until I had enough to use the labels efficiently and it became a nightmare. Now I use a couple of these label makers one in my kitchen and one in my home office to keep things neat and organized. The current one I have does all kinds of fancy labels. Unfortunately, the one I had originally was fouled by corroded batteries, so make sure you get decent rechargeable batteries or buy a cord.  I was glad to see that Brother also recycles cartridges.

Ring (door bell)– working from home most days are great for productivity, but I do get a fair number of solicitors (well feels like it anyway), particularly in the political season which can be death for a productive day. The Ring doorbell allows me to manage interruptions without breaking strive to answer the door. The security features make it useful for avoiding/ discouraging porch pirates as well.  They have wireless ones too. I don’t have this floodlight but I’m thinking about it. 

Power strip– Power strip? I know what you’re thinking these things are a dime a dozen at CVS but this one has multiple charging speed USB ports’s and works great hidden away screwed to the bottom of a desk or counter.  Supports charging a lot of devices fast which is crucial today! 

Pens– I have abysmal penmanship in selecting the correct writing implement makes a big difference. I used fountain pens for years because they forced me to concentrate on what I was doing, but I’ve had too many ruined notebooks and briefcases to continue that practice. Can’t say enough about these pens, I now buy them by the box on Amazon. Surprisingly they run out of the blue from time to time so I always keep an eye on my supply!

Franklin Covey planner– I know notebooks are making a comeback with creative directors writers in New York ad shops, but I have never left the paper calendar. Well not since I attended  a Franklin Covey organizational class in 2004. With a paper planner not only do you have the satisfaction of checking things off the list in a tangible way, but it’s a surprisingly adaptive system compared to a computer calendar that can have an infinite number of “to do” items. I use a combination of iPhone reminders and a prioritized daily to do list to stay on top of things. The project managers I work with have described me as the most organized Project Owner they have worked with both at CapitalOne and while Circuit City was still going concern.

Anker phone charger – I received a few of these portable chargers as promotional giveaways and typically I find they’re not worth carrying because they provide HALF an iPhone charge before they need to be plugged back in which, in my opinion, defeats the whole purpose. The one I link to here can typically charge my iPhone 7S fully in about 30 minutes depending on if I’m using the phone or not and holds about 6 charges now (more when I first got it maybe 8?). I keep this in my computer bag and a smaller one in a coat pocket when go out. I hate to have my phone run out (NEVER HAPPENS TO ME!). I also use a shorty charging cord from AmazonBasics “Apple MFi Certified” products. I’ve bought multiple charging cords from Amazon vendors for cheap and had to return all of them because they don’t work on all devices or don’t work at all go with certified.