From the course: Administrative Professional Tips

Apps

From the course: Administrative Professional Tips

Apps

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- As administrative support professionals, time is a valuable commodity for us, as there are usually more tasks than time in any given day. Therefore, anything that helps to conserve our time and that of our executive is definitely something we wanna utilize immediately and often. One such way to do this is through the use of apps. The term app is short for application. Apps are programs that can be downloaded to your computer or some type of mobile device, such as a phone and/or tablet. They are meant to make life easier, faster, and more convenient for their users. I have a number of apps that I use in the course of my day that help me to do my work more efficiently. Here are the types of apps that I find useful. First, cloud-based storage drives. This type of application allows you to store any type of file and access from anywhere. Files can be shared and collaborated with colleagues in real time. My favorite feature is that it eliminates the need to share and download attachments. Many organizations are migrating to this type of service and if your organization hasn't already done so, it would make sense to familiarize yourself with this application, due to its popularity and widespread use. I use Google Drive. Some of the other popular ones include Dropbox, OneDrive, and Amazon Cloud Drive. Second, note-taking tools. These allow you to capture, organize, and share notes from anywhere that syncs with all of your devices. I use this type of app to store notes, keep links, add attachments, formulate checklists, and keep electronic clutter to a minimum. I currently use Evernote. Other applications similar to Evernote are Apple Notes, Microsoft OneNote, and Quip. Third, a social media management dashboard. This helps you manage multiple social media accounts from one place and is particularly useful if you are involved or responsible for your company's social media strategy. My favorite is Hootsuite. Additional options are Sendible and SocialPilot. Fourth, travel organization tools. Many of them allow you to have mobile access, share information with others, sync travel itineraries to your calendar, and store important travel documents in one place. The app that I'm most familiar with is TripIt. Finally, presentation tools. These can be used as an alternative to traditional slide making programs, such as PowerPoint. One such app that stands in a class by itself is Prezi. Prezi uses one large canvas that allows you to pan and zoom to various parts to emphasize different points. New apps are coming on the market at a fast and regular pace. It is critical for administrative support professionals to stay abreast of new productivity tools that can be helpful in the work that you do on a daily basis, as well as helping your executive to conserve their time. By investigating and trialing many of these applications, you can remain in sync or ahead of relevant technology, which increases your contribution to not only the people you support, but your organization as a whole.

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