Being an entrepreneur means being always on, not to mention on the go, and doing more with less. Even after you’ve hit your fundraising goals it’s important to economize because that means you can prioritize. Spending money on growth instead of gadgets is one way you can max out your chances of hitting it big. But just because you’re starting out doesn’t mean you don’t have all the same responsibilities as the startup veterans. Here are six ways you can knock down your day-to-day to-dos without spending a lot thanks to the latest mobile technology and software:
Adobe Connect
Adobe hits it out of the park yet again with Adobe Connect, a top-of-the-line video conferencing service that includes everything the modern entrepreneur needs to hold problem-free virtual meetings. You can share slides, create private video chat rooms, share documents and run polls without missing a beat. The best part is that it is simple and intuitive on both ends, which means you don’t lose any time trying to learn it or bringing contacts up to speed.
FreshBooks
Invoicing is a hassle, but a necessary one. FreshBooks lets you create, send and track professional-looking invoices from anywhere and accept payments from anyone so getting paid on time takes up less of your time.
Carbonite
A dead gadget doesn’t have to be a disaster. Carbonite gives you inexpensive yet surprisingly powerful cloud backup for files, databases and even live applications. Why back up on the cloud? You don’t need to buy or set up any equipment. Just sign up and Carbonite does the rest, ensuring that your business’ data is safe from any and all accidents.
Tablet
Your laptop is your workhorse. Make a tablet your show horse. Today’s tablets, powered by the latest mobile technology like Snapdragon’s lightning fast processors, are meeting must-haves for their souped-up sound and display capabilities. They’re also perfect for when you’re on the road, whether you want email or an ereader. Some even come preloaded with business-friendly apps like Dropbox and Evernote.
HDMI Pocket Projector
Of course, if the small screen just isn’t enough screen a portable projector is the perfect pairing. Brookstone’s HDMI Pocket Projector is small enough to fit into a messenger bag, making it perfect for taking presentations on the road. Don’t let its small size fool you. It projects an 80-inch diagonal image while still slipping easily into most pockets.
Charlie
Finally, check out a new app named Charlie – the most reliable pre-meeting PA ever. With it you no longer have to spend your time researching companies or new clients to make that killer first impression. Charlie syncs with your calendar and combs through hundreds of online sources to send you a one-pager for each of your meetings. The resultant cheat sheet is not only a time-saver, but also a game-changer because there’s nothing like a little extra intel to give you an edge over the competition.
With these budget-friendly tools in your entrepreneurial toolkit, you can worry less and do more.
