Posts Tagged: organization

From Our Desk to Yours: How We Like to Get It Done

Organization tips and more for working remotely.

As a company with multiple products, and leadership located all across the US, we’re committed to being a business that is not only in touch with our customers but with each other. As they say, teamwork makes the dream work, right?

A successful software company doesn’t always need to operate out of an office, and for us to have the talent that makes Applian what it is today, we can’t possibly have everyone in the same place at the same time every day. That being said, there are some tricks we’ve learned to make sure that our team stays productive, no matter where they have a desk.

Email. Email. Email.

Obviously, this is the main form of communication in any office — remote or cubicle — everyone needs an effective email client. Aside from that, we also have developed some tricks to get the most out of constructing and composing our inbox.

  • Voice recognition is great for any (ahem) “slow-typers” or for those moments when you, say, slip off your bike and break a wrist? Yeah, ouch. We like Windows 7 Voice Recognition software on PC.
  • Don’t underestimate bolding, bullet-ing, and highlighting. When you are dealing with a large quantity of email every day, it is important to compose email structure with intention. If you can’t make it short, then space it all out. And don’t be afraid to highlight call-to-action for those who need to know the important stuff. Email-skimming is real, people.

Virtual filing cabinets and whiteboards.

Organizing tasks and records is just as important in a virtual office environment as it is for a physical one. Not only is it helpful to be able to reach back and find past work or finances, but it’s important that everyone else who needs to can. Thank the stars for the cloud!

  • Everyone needs a basic, overall file storing space, and as a company we like the Dropbox experience as it can sync to desktop.
  • Basecamp works great for tracking and squishing bugs, especially so the whole Customer Service Team is on the same page and our Leadership Team can follow along and get super-impressed with their awesomeness.

Talk through it.

We’re huge fans of chatting it up. Whether it’s business-related or not (okay, so usually it is). There’s a ton of tools out there to get your whole team in on the conversation, literally.

  • Skype. Of course. Most of our calls are Video. Mostly so that we can all make fun of whatever might be happening in the background. Typically, we like to record the super-important meetings with our very own Replay Telecorder or Replay Video Capture to get all the good stuff and have it on file if we need to go back to important deliverables.
  • On occasion GoToMeeting is helpful for client or business development calls. It’s just healthy to simply get up and give someone a call on the phone… talking in-person really does get things done faster and will always have a more personal touch.
  • Keep outlets open for old school! We use Onebox for those now-and-then customers who want to call in and leave a message, and (believe it or not) we even get faxes sometimes, so we take advantage of eFax for those rare cases.

Real face time.

One of the most important factors is blocking out time to have work retreats and connect with our team one-on-one. These excursions provide the necessary blend of relaxation and company-bonding to make sure everyone feels a part of Applian as a whole. Being behind a computer screen can make you forget the big picture.

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

We try to recognize that everyone has their own schedule. Some of us stay up late and code, others need a more 9 to 5 routine, and sometimes, our meetings might interfere with the whole life-work balance. It’s not too unusual for us to have a long Skype session with people dropping in and out to make an errand, attend an appointment, and (most likely) enjoy a good glass of wine. In fact, the latter tends to help when everything gets stressful and miscommunication is likely. On that note, we recommend Black Box Wines / BevMo as an alternative productivity resource and attitude refinement tool.

Whether you work from home, out of a coffee shop, or have your own corporate environment to adapt to, we know it can get tough to stay connected, productive, and inspired. Hopefully, some of those resources can help.

Have some we should know about it? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to find out!

Our 5 Favorite Podcasts for Starting Fresh in the New Year

Look out world, a brand new me is ready to come alive!

The start to any new year is followed by a flurry of resolution-filled thoughts buzzing around. Whether they be inspirational (like being healthier) or a little more tactical (like flossing every morning), chances are that you’re not alone – there are people out there talking about many of the very same things you’re attempting and learning.

Podcasts exist for every facet of thought, skill or helpful tip, and we created our software to help you keep them anywhere! Here’s a selection of our favorite podcasts for starting fresh this new year that you can capture using Replay Radio.

Inspirational: The School of Greatness

Be the best you that you can be with the help of Lewis Howes and his podcast on personal development. With the goal of sharing inspirational stories of leadership, Howes shares essential life tips for gaining confidence and overcoming adversity, as well as stories from the most brilliant business minds, world class athletes and influential celebrities.

Use the Media Guide integrated in Replay Radio to subscribe to The School of Greatness.

Goal-Packed: Achieve Your Goals with Hal Elrod

It’s always been said that if at first you don’t succeed, try again. Achieve Your Goals, hosted by Hal Elrod, shows you how to start over setting goals and objectives, and creating successful habits, so you can live life to the fullest. From a new career to a DIY project, learn how to set attainable goals and find the steps to get there with this informative, confidence-boosting podcast.

Use the Media Guide integrated in Replay Radio to subscribe to Achieve Your Goals with Hal Elrod.

Skill Center: Stuff You Should Know

Learn new things in droves this new year, without ever leaving home! Brought to you by the team over at HowStuffWorks.com, Stuff You Should Know is a quirky, informative podcast hosted by writers/curious geeks Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark. The podcast explores random topics based on investigative research and personal anecdotes – Feng shui, gangs, history, you name it.

Use the Media Guide integrated in Replay Radio to subscribe to Stuff You Should Know.

Clutter-Free: Organize Mindfully

Perhaps one of the most over-used (and under-appreciated) resolutions is to get organized and de-clutter, either personally or professionally. Organize Mindfully brings organization professionals, designers and mindfulness teachers right to your ears – the podcast shares new ideas, tips & techniques so you can bring order to your hectic life.

Use the Media Guide integrated in Replay Radio to subscribe to Organize Mindfully.

Thought-Provoking: On Being

What does it mean to be a human being? Expand your mind with new ideas and concepts with On Being, hosted by Krista Tippett. “This weekly conversation grapples with the many facets of human connection and existence,” says TED Prize director Anna Verghese. “It explores value, faith and meaning.”

Use the Media Guide integrated in Replay Radio to subscribe to On Being.

Get Replay Radio today to record and save all your favorite podcasts, or download the full Replay Capture Suite for even more great recording software!

From Our Desk To Yours: Online Organization

In previous installments of From Our Desk To Yours, we’ve talked about collaborating with remote teams and some top tips for managing relationships with customers – as always we like to find and use the best tools for our purposes and implement them, with a little planning, as simply and effectively as possible.

As a company that develops products that enable people from all over the world to record video and audio from their computers, we’ve spent lots of time talking to remote workers at Applian and elsewhere about how to get things done away from the office.

What we’ve learned is this: the tools that empower instantaneous access to information and communication with others are the same tools that bury us all under unmanageable masses of stuff. Just as in the days of pen and paper (reams and reams of paper!), today’s most effective workers, be they remote or on-site, are those who can organize the deluge of documents, communications and information we all create as we work digitally. Finding your paperweights – those tools that will not just get your head above the rising waters of your inboxes but actively help you turn all that unorganized stuff into useful, accessible, insight-precipitating business intelligence data – has never been more important.

Here are some hopefully helpful tidbits on how to stay in control of your work data:

(more…)