Ever asked yourself why are you so stressed with work? Work efficiency is one of the most crucial components in both small businesses as well as large corporations. As small business owners, you must learn to incorporate different strategies to improve work productivity at work. By managing your employees and their workflow well, you can focus on expanding your business that can boost your overall ROI. Business owners are constantly looking to save time and money, running your own business means being eager to make ends meet through efficiency and ensure healthy morale at work.

In this article, you will learn about 8 productivity hacks that you can implement in your small business which will make working smarter and better.

Priorities

Before you begin your day, it is important to have a list of tasks that you want to achieve for the day. These tasks can be related to meetings, clients, payments, etc which should be prioritized according to their importance or urgency. So as you are about to begin, arrange or sort your lists into must-do’s, want to do, and will do when convenient. This will help you plan out your day well in advance and look forward to a productive day.

Virtual Receptionist

Answering calls and talking to clients adds a personal touch for small businesses but it can take up a huge portion of your time. With the limited resources at hand, employees may not be able to offer their valuable skills entirely and not waste time doubling as receptionists. Adding a virtual receptionist will improve workflow and employee productivity for small businesses. Another great reason is that it is affordable compared to hiring an in-house receptionist.

Ensure a Healthy Workplace Environment

You may already know this but it can be very effective to improve productivity. A stressful environment at your workplace will yield bad results, disengagement, miscommunication, and less productivity. Creating a healthy working environment will encourage and motivate employees to work harder and smarter. For instance, rewarding your high-performing staff with a raise or provide incentives to those who excel beyond their targets. By doing so, they are likely to work harder which will increase productivity for your day-to-day goals. Maintaining a healthy workplace is staying connected with your employees in celebration times and in grievous times. During this time, drafting an obituary letter may seem challenging. Use this free template for the obituary letter so that you can professionally communicate the right message.

Delegate Work

It doesn’t matter whether you are a small business owner or part of a larger corporation, you must learn to delegate your work. Especially in small businesses, they are limited to a fewer number of employees. It is your job to recognize which tasks or jobs they are better at and let them handle those jobs for you. By doing so, you free up time for yourself to focus on other aspects of your business, knowing that the tasks assigned will be completed efficiently.

Mute your Smart Devices

Your gadgets can be a great time waster if they continuously ringing, buzzing, or chiming throughout the day. These notifications can be a distraction that can break your concentration during your work. A simple text can lead you astray for 25-30 mins where you could have finished a task for the day. Social media is another distraction that can leave you aimlessly browsing through your smart device. If you are handling the social platforms of your business, ensure that you are logged out from your personal account during this time to improve productivity.

Don’t Multitask

While most of us have heard that multitasking and juggling through different tasks at once is necessary for your workplace. But if you think about it, multitasking can do you more harm than good as it can cause people to make more mistakes and be more stressed out. Improving productivity does not mean just getting work done anyhow within the time given. But focusing on each task solely will make them more effective and less stressed while completing their tasks for the day.

Communication is Key

The best way to ensure that there is no confusion is to have a clear line of communication. By doing so, every task is completed to its optimum, and encourage your employees to communicate better within the company. It also helps set a clear direction for your employees and what they should expect from you. Clear goals and focus will help you avoid simple mistakes and increase workplace productivity. With the pandemic in effect, it is important to pay close attention to scheduling tasks for your employees. Taking into consideration the mental and physical stress on them during this time and as the owner, you can provide time flexibility for those working from home.

Automate Tasks

There are different free and paid apps available online that are designed to enhance workplace productivity. Businesses are usually fast-paced and keeping up may seem daunting. With the right tools and apps, you can improve workflow and ensure that your daily tasks are accomplished by the end of the day. Time-management apps, organizer apps, social media schedules, self-care apps, and so on are just some of the ways you can increase productivity amongst your employees.

These are just some of the hacks you can use to increase productivity at your workplace.

In an ever-changing, fast-paced world, it is important to look at AI and to look at how it is affecting and impacting the world. AI can be positive for both individual users and business users alike. Artificial intelligence can be used in lots of settings and scenarios, and the positive effect it can have on businesses of any size is still only just starting to be seen. Adopting and integrating AI may sound like a little bit of an alien concept, but it has been something that has been slowly but surely introduced into several areas over the last few years. So, what can AI bring to your life, how can it positively impact businesses and what effect can it have on the future, and how society function?

Face Recognition for Ease

Fraudsters are operating all the time all over the world, and unfortunately, they are running more sophisticated services and operations all of the time. However, if you try to keep ahead of them and what they are up to, then you should never find yourself on the back foot. Looking at an AI development service could be beneficial to both your business and your customers. If you can create and produce software that for example works on facial recognition, then you might find customer retention just that little bit easier. Giving your customers the best and most up-to-date technology can help you stand out from the crowd and can help you establish a strong foothold in your market.

Within Healthcare

When visiting a hospital or even having a checkup, do you know that AI is potentially pioneering the treatments and procedures you have? As AI can mimic behaviors and functions, it is already involved in treating patients, and in performing complex surgeries. In addition to the physical use of AI software and programs, it can also be used on another level, and this level is to compile and present medical facts, data, and research in a concise and easy-to-understand manner.

In Manufacturing Processes

Manufacturing is an ever-changing and ever still competitive industry, and one way that manufacturers are looking to gain that competitive edge is to incorporate AI into their processes and operations. Whether software is used to enhance, speed up or streamline manufacturing processes, or it is used to physically create and produce products, the effects can be seen and felt from near and far. From a reduction in the number of jobs created within the manufacturing industry to job cuts, manufacturing is changing and embracing everything that AI has to offer. When manufacturers and producers integrate AI into their daily business operations, they can increase bottom-line figures in the most cost-efficient and timely manner possible.

For Customer Service

Customers want the best, and they deserve the best, and when it comes to customer service AI is leading the way. Whether in the form of talking to customers via a telephone or the internet, or serving customers in various customer-facing roles. AI can work efficiently within customer service as it can read human emotions by reacting or displaying emotion.

Whether it is number crunching or aiding customers, AI is firmly integrated and is here to stay. For example, with Spell Model, workflows, frameworks, infrastructure, and datastores are all simply integrated. In the future, it can continue to push forwards and be integrated into even more face-to-face customer service roles, which could be potentially detrimental for the jobs market and job security.

The Future of Jobs

The jobs market and industry as a whole are changing, evolving, and introducing new practices. To stay up to date with AI facts relating to jobs, it is important to monitor the market whenever you get a chance. Seeing first-hand the impact AI will have on businesses and jobs alike means that there are exciting times that lie ahead. There is no doubt that workers and employees will have to upskill to stay relevant and salable in the job market.

AI is most definitely here to stay. While other fads and trends have come and gone, AI has held its place and over time has strengthened its place and foothold within the market. Introducing AI into your business or plans when you get the correct experts on board. Having a professional team behind you, guiding you, and steering you through changing water is positive and is something that you should be looking at if you have not done so already. As AI is versatile in regards to what it can do and in what sector, you must enhance your knowledge and awareness about what benefits it can bring you.

Digital transformation is critical to any business, as it helps them remain competitive in the marketplace and keep up with growing customer demand. Digital transformation allows small businesses to apply the right technology within a limited budget, resulting in a better customer experience and a more efficient enterprise.

If you don’t know how to simplify the digital transformation process for your business, having this article on hand as a guide will help you figure it out. 

Digital Transformation: What Does it Mean? 

The events of 2020-2021 have clearly revealed how important digital transformation is to business success in our rapidly changing society. The outbreak of the pandemic made it clear what features businesses should have to stay on their feet. According to Johnson & Johnson CIO Jim Swanson, “Digital is a loaded word that means many things to many people”. That’s why it’s hard to define digital transformation in today’s world. And yet digital transformation can be described as the integration of digital technologies that can cause changes in the customers’ mindset and provide them with more value.

As consumer expectations increased, the market competition increased as well. For small businesses, staying competitive means embracing digital transformation. Deloitte’s study states that 45% of companies reported a positive impact of digital transformation on business, and they also reported higher net revenue growth. As you can see, financial performance depends on the level of digital transformation tools used by SMBs in their operations. Hence, to thrive in a rapidly changing environment, SMBs should apply digital tools and concepts. 

Why Digital Transformation Matters for SMBs in the Post-Covid-19 Times 

One of the reasons why SMBs need to go digital is that they need to survive. Today, because of the Covid-19 outbreak, a lot of small businesses are experiencing supply chain disruptions that lead to unforeseen outcomes. 

PwC states that 52% of companies plan to cut investments because of COVID-19, while only 9% of companies will make such cuts in the area of digital transformation. That’s why SMBs need to adapt to the ever-changing environment and incorporate the concepts of digital transformation across their businesses. Improving the customer experience is one of the main reasons to digitize your business. The pandemic contributed to the shift in consumer behavior towards online consumption. Under the pandemic, adopting evolving technologies can positively influence customer interactions and help keep SMBs productive. 

Digital Transformation in Action: 5 Key Steps to Make it Simple

Develop a money-saving strategy when going digital

When switching to digital technologies, it is important to simplify the process and make it cheaper and easier. As SMBs cannot invest in digital transformation the way large companies do, a simple analytics tool can help integrate existing technology and therefore save money.

Also, customer relationship management (CRM) is one of the stages of digital transformation resulting in a high-performance business. With CRM, small businesses have a better chance to grow their forces. CRM providers usually offer cloud-based solutions for SMBs, resulting in affordable prices. 

Identify weaknesses in your business and areas needed to be digitized

To go digital, SMBs must first identify business weaknesses. Identifying the areas that need to be digitized will help facilitate seamless collaboration between different business units. Each internal business unit is a small machine that has potential for improvement, while knowing the areas that need improvement will make your digitization more precise. 

As a result, the system will bring all vital business programs into a single engine, allowing small businesses to get one step closer to delivering more value to their customers. Minimizing errors, automation and gradual digitalization will improve company efficiency and be the key to a successful transformation.

Allocate roles and responsibilities among employees

Many employees are not ready to accept the changes related to the digital future of business and oppose the idea of digital transformation. For this reason, the leader of a small or mid-sized business must deal with employees’ fears and doubts. But it’s often the case that business leaders lack the energy to talk to their employees, drive change, and inspire people to innovate. In this case, they can hire a third-party digital transformation specialist or assign digital transformation responsibilities to existing employees. 

And while large enterprises can go this way and find consulting firms to manage digital transformation, small businesses don’t have the budget for such innovation. Instead, they can use simple analytics solutions that allow them to make the transition to digital transformation incrementally.

Empower employees with data and advanced technology

Focusing on cutting-edge technology and tools is one of the most important challenges facing SMB executives:

• Providing your employees with accurate information and data can help grow your business;
• Careful research and proper processing of information can positively impact your interactions with customers, employees and partners because it can lead to the satisfaction of all stakeholders;
• Accurate data combined with advanced technology can help create in-demand products. 

At the same time, data is becoming increasingly complex, making it difficult for small businesses to use it effectively. Simple digital tools are the way to go. They can help you gather useful analytics that you can share with your stakeholders, making decision-making easier. Meanwhile, investing in machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies will allow you to leverage a wide range of data in the future, helping to increase the digitalization of your business.

Cooperate with tech partner to be one step ahead of competitors

Small businesses often lack the budget to hire a large digital transformation team. That’s why outsourcing some technical tasks will be an effective option. Executives should look for qualified consultants who have experience with SMB digitalization, as small businesses have their specific challenges and issues that need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Highly specialized experts can help identify areas that will show the best return on investment (ROI), they will present technologies that are right for your business and show how effective they can be for you. In addition, digital consultants can help employees by training them to use innovative technology solutions to digitize your business.

Final Thoughts

Today, in a pandemic environment, many world-class consultants recommend digital transformation as the most important step for every business to stay afloat and succeed in the future. In addition, advanced analytics and simple IT solutions can fit into every small business’ budget. Outsourcing some IT tasks will also help the digital transformation of your business be effective and profitable.

All of this, along with simplifying the digitization process for SMBs, will provide ample opportunity to meet new goals and overcome technological challenges. 

Alexey Kutsenko is the Head of Digital Marketing of DDI Development company. He is experienced in the development of the marketing strategy for companies in different industries. He knows how to do the right marketing and watches all current marketing and industry trends.

Outlook and Thunderbird are popular email clients used by individuals, professionals, and businesses for email communication. Thunderbird is an open-source email client that stores the mailbox data in MBOX files at a default location. In comparison, Outlook uses the OST and PST file formats to store the mailbox items.

Outlook does not support the MBOX format. Thus, to migrate emails from Thunderbird email client to Outlook, you must convert the Thunderbird MBOX files to PST format using an MBOX to PST converter software.

On the other hand, there are a few manual ways to migrate emails from Thunderbird to Outlook. However, they aren’t recommended when you need to migrate the entire mailbox from Thunderbird to Outlook due to their limitations.

Methods to Migrate Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook

We’ve discussed below the top three methods to migrate emails from Thunderbird to Outlook.

1. Use MBOX to PST Converter Software

An MBOX to PST converter software, such as Stellar Converter for MBOX, is the most reliable way to migrate emails from Thunderbird to Outlook with 100% consistency and without any risk of data loss.

It not only helps you migrate emails from Thunderbird to Outlook but also other bulk mail items, such as contacts, attachments, calendar, journals, notes, contacts, etc.

The steps are as follows:

• Download and install Stellar Converter for MBOX on your system where Thunderbird is installed. You may also install the software on ‘other’ system, but you will need to transfer the MBOX files from the default location to the system.

• After installation, launch the software and select Thunderbird from the options.

• Click on ‘Select Identity’ to choose the folder containing Thunderbird MBOX files. The default path is C:/Users/YourProfileName/%AppData%\Thunderbird\

Or you can select individual MBOX files using the ‘Select File’ button.

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• After selecting the MBOX file or Identity folder, click ‘Convert.’

• After scan and conversion, the software displays a three-pane preview window. You can click on any email to see its preview and verify it before migrating it to Outlook. This also helps you filter out emails that aren’t required.

• Select the required emails you want to migrate from Thunderbird to Outlook and click the ‘Save Converted File’ button under the ‘Home’ menu.

• From the Save As options, choose New PST and click ‘Next.’

• Click ‘Browse’ to select a location where you want to save the converted Thunderbird MBOX emails in PST format and then click ‘Save.’

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The software will save the Thunderbird emails in PST format. Now you can import the PST file into your Outlook profile via Outlook Import/Export Wizard in Windows or Mac and complete the email migration from Thunderbird to Outlook.

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2. Drag and Drop Emails from Thunderbird to Outlook

Although this is one of the easiest methods to migrate emails from Thunderbird to Outlook, it requires more time and is only recommended when you need to transfer a few emails. The steps are as follows:

Limitations:

3. Migrate Thunderbird Emails to Outlook via Gmail (IMAP) Account

This method is recommended when you need to migrate multiple emails from Thunderbird to MS Outlook. However, you need to enable the IMAP settings in your Gmail account. The steps are as follows:

• Add a new Gmail account in Thunderbird and add the same Gmail account in MS Outlook.

• In Thunderbird, select the emails or email folders you want to migrate to Outlook and then drop them to the Gmail Inbox folder or create a new one and then drop the emails.

• Copy all the emails you want to migrate to Outlook using the above step and then wait for Gmail to sync the emails. This can take a while, based on your internet speed.

• Now on your Outlook, refresh the Outlook window. You will see the Gmail folder containing the Thunderbird emails.

• You can now drag and drop those emails or the complete email folder from Gmail to your Outlook profile.

This will migrate emails from Thunderbird profile to Outlook profile.

Limitations:

To Wrap Up

Although manual methods can help you migrate emails from Thunderbird to Outlook, you should use them only when migrating a few emails. However, you can overcome the limitations of manual methods by using Stellar Converter for MBOX software. It keeps the original folder hierarchy and tree structure intact and helps migrate unlimited Thunderbird emails to Outlook, along with all attachments, with complete precision. So, if you are looking to migrate emails from Thunderbird to Outlook, use MBOX to PST converter tool as explained in the first method. The software’s Technician version also allows you to directly migrate emails from Thunderbird to Office 365 (Outlook 365).

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OST is an Outlook data file created by Outlook when you set up or configure Exchange server account and enable the Offline mode (Cached Exchange Mode). The OST file stores mailbox items, such as emails, contacts, attachments, notes, journals, etc. It allows user to access their Outlook emails and do certain changes, even when the system is offline.

The changes are later synchronized with the mailbox on the server as soon as the system connects to the internet. This provides a seamless and lag-free user experience. Also, the OST file is encrypted with MAPIEntry GUID key and hence, requires authorization from the MAPI profile to access the emails and other data.

Thus, an OST file and its content cannot be opened, accessed, or imported into any other Outlook profile. Furthermore, if your MAPI profile is deleted or disabled from the Exchange server, you cannot access your emails stored in the OST file as authorization fails. Such OST files are referred to as orphaned OSTs.

Other issues, such as synchronization failure or errors caused by Exchange database dismount or server failure, could lead to a permanently inaccessible OST file as Outlook fails to reconnect to the Exchange server.

In such cases, a third-party OST to PST converter software, such as Stellar Converter for OST, comes in handy. The software converts encrypted, inaccessible, and orphaned OST files of any size to PST with 100% integrity and precision.

It can also export the mailbox items, such as emails, attachments, contacts, notes, tasks, journals, etc., from an OST file directly to a live Exchange Server mailbox or Office 365. So let us have a quick look at the software, its features, and how you can use it to recover your emails from OST files.

Stellar Converter for OST- An Overview

Stellar Converter for OST is a powerful OST to PST converter software to convert, backup, and migrate mailbox items from large, inaccessible, encrypted, or orphaned Outlook OST files to another Outlook profile on Windows or Mac.

The software extracts and converts all mailbox items, such as emails, attachments, contacts, messages, journals, notes, etc., from OST file to Outlook importable PST format. The folder hierarchy and structure remain intact after conversion. It also recovers lost or accidentally deleted emails from the OST file during conversion.

In addition to PST, you can also convert and export the mail items from OST files to EML, MSG, PDF, RTF, and HTML formats. It supports MS Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and Office 365. It can convert OST files created by any Outlook version.

The software is available in two editions:

Both editions are available as Demo versions that you can download to evaluate the software performance. The demo version allows you to scan and preview OST mailbox items for free. You can also convert and export up to 20 items per folder to PST format. To save all OST mailbox items, you must activate the software using a valid activation key.

How to Use Stellar Converter for OST?

Stellar Converter for OST is an easy-to-use software with intuitive GUI. Any user can convert the OST to PST file format in a few clicks. However, it does require MS Outlook installed on the system that meets the following minimum system requirements:

The steps to convert OST by using the software are as follows:

1.Install and launch Stellar Converter for OST and click ‘Browse’ to choose the OST file. You may also use the ‘Find’ button to locate the OST file if the location is unknown.

2.Click ‘Convert’ to start the scan and extract the mail items from the OST file.

3.The software displays an enhanced preview in a three-pane window, including deleted mail items in ‘Red.’

4.Select the mail items and email folders from the left pane you want to convert and then click on ‘Save Converted File.’

5.From the ‘Save as’ dialog box, choose the desired format, such as PST. Then click ‘Browse’ and select a save location.

In Technician Edition, you have more saving options, such as MBOX, DBX, Export to Live Exchange Server, Office 365, or existing Outlook profiles. Further, you can choose to save PST normally or compact or split/filter and save the PST file.

6.Click ‘OK’ to save the OST mailbox items to PST. Similarly, you can choose MSG, EML, RTF, HTML, PDF, DBX, or MBOX format and select a destination to save individual or multiple emails.

To export OST to Office 365 or live Exchange, you need to enter the user credentials, such as user ID and password.

To save OST mail items to an existing profile, select ‘Export to Existing Outlook Profile’ and choose an existing profile from the option.

Verdict

Compared to various OST to PST converter software available in the market, Stellar Converter for OST stands out due to its intuitive user interface, ease-of-use, and performance.

To learn more about the performance of Stellar Converter for OST, check out this OST benchmark study report. The study was done in collaboration with Lisa Hendrickson – a solutions consultant and industry expert for Microsoft Outlook, Office 365, and Exchange.

It provides a more insightful view of various OST to PST converter software performance on parameters, such as speed, consistency, precision, and completeness.

A PC is arguably the most important gadget anyone can have in the 21st century as it makes computation easier and can serve as a combination of other devices. Its usefulness surpasses almost every other electronic gadget and its capacity to multitask makes it quite a compelling gadget to possess. While the computer system has gone through significant improvements and modifications such that it can be so small in size that it can easily fit into a sling bag; there may yet be situations where the individual may be forced to be away from his/her PC system.

The most important apps on a PC tend to be the ones that have to do with accessing the internet, preparing word documents, playing audiovisual documents and games. Interestingly some of the most popular PC apps have been modulated into mobile versions; either it is the most sophisticated task manager software or just merely a gaming app that can be accessed via Smartphones thereby ensuring you don’t miss out on the fun even while you are away from your PC. Here are some mobile Apps that Performs similar Functions to PC Apps

WPS Word

Is an office software that can handle most if not all the functions that are obtainable on the Microsoft word PC version. The app allows the user to create and edit documents. It can also be used to prepare PowerPoint slides so that you can get to meet up with preparing the slides for your official engagements even while on the move. The app can also be used to view PDF files so you do not need to separately download PDF viewer. There may be other apps that can offer similar functions to this app, you are not likely to find a more robust Office suite like this app. However, it may take a while to get used to this app, especially the android version as it offers little variation from the PC version. 

Google Chrome

Is one of the most easily recognizable web browsers on a PC. This app is also available on mobile phones. This app helps to bridge the gap between the experience of browsing on a mobile phone and a PC. For instance, websites tend to display differently on a mobile phone than on a PC, but with this app, the browser can be set to desktop mode which then allows the phone to display the page as if it were viewed via a PC. So when out on an important trip like a hiking trip where you don’t want to pack a lot of stuff, you can simply access the web via your mobile Google Chrome. 

VLC Media Player

This app is an open-source multimedia player which can play most multimedia file formats and it is available on android and iOS platforms and other platforms such as Windows, Linux, and Unix. In a generation with diverse multimedia technologies, the capacity to play different media formats is a major attribute of a PC and it is apps like VLC that make this possible.  Essentially VLC satisfies the need for accessibility for different media formats and its android version functions in a similar way. Therefore if you are away from your PC, you can get to capture precious moments on your phone and send them to loved ones and they can get to play the video with their VLC player.  

Mail Apps

Email is one of the most common ways of exchanging official correspondence in the 21st century. While away from your computer you can still send and receive emails from the convenience of your mobile phone. All you need is to download the android app of your email platform to your Smartphone and with internet access, you can continue to send and receive official correspondence on the go. 

 The gap between a PC and a mobile phone is so small. Apart from the development of mobile app versions of PC apps, there is another way of synthesizing mobile and PC apps. For instance, the use of an app like Bluestack which is an emulator software can allow the android apps to be operated on the system. It doesn’t matter whether you will be away from your PC for a few hours or even for a few days, weeks, or months, with the right apps on your mobile, you will be performing most of the tasks and functions you are hitherto used to doing on your PC. All you will need to do is ensure that your phone has enough RAM and ROM space to power these apps to prevent the phone from lagging.

A successful small business can always benefit from the wonders of technology. Find out which business apps can help you make the best of your venture

Business and Finance Apps for Business Owners

These days there is an app for anything. The internet and smartphone technology have evolved to the point that if you can think it, you can make it. Even if you’re a layman, there are many online tools at your disposal to help see your ideas realized. Of the myriad of apps available, there are ones designed for business owners and startups. These apps can range from simple ones that let you submit your tax certificates to ones that allow you to conduct all kinds of applications applicable to your business model, streamlining an industrial process, make sure deliveries are coordinated – the list is endless. Up to date and trustworthy Forex sites have also released apps for tablets and smartphones – this could be your way to some start-up capital. And thanks to the kind of year that 2020 was, more people are turning to alternative means and solutions to generate an income. With all this in mind, let us now examine some of the leading apps designed to help you make the most of your business.

Square

Every business needs an excellent point-of-sale system that lets you ring up customers, and if you can get your hands on one, that’s customizable, even better.  For instance, if you’re a restaurateur, you’ll need something that can manage and coordinate your tables, or if you’re in retail, you’ll need something that can manage your inventory effectively. Square is quite the ideal candidate to handle such matters and function on PCs, tablets and iPhones. Plus, it is free with an option to pay if your needs exceed the free offering.  It is pretty user-friendly and is backed by efficient live support staff.

QuickBooks Online

With the right accounting software, you can be sure that your bookkeeping will be in order. Profit margins, revenue – the entire ecosystem of your monetary affairs can be kept in check. Plus, this type of software can also help you answer pertinent questions such as how much can you afford to spend on advertising for the month?  QuickBooks will address these issues and, for a nominal cost of  $25, is ideal for small businesses. Plus, many accountants are also versed in it, and thus, support or help won’t be hard to come by. QuickBooks Online is the cloud version of the software and, thanks to its multiple-tier system, can be adjusted to the growing needs of your business.

Jira

Effective project management is key to having a streamlined process that assigns all tasks to all the relevant parties while also keeping tabs on those projects and their progress. Campaigns, projects, progress reports, drafts, edits, approvals and completed products – these are the various hallmarks and features of Jira, a software development and management tool that charts the workflow from start to finish and sports excellent reporting capabilities. Manage your team and their projects for free, and should you need to scale things up,  only then will there be a fee.

Zoom

Zoom was the big star of 2020, helping usher in a new era of remote working from multiple locations.  These days it’s vital to have effective video-conference software with other amenities like instant messaging. Zoom will cater from simple one on one meetings to gatherings of up to a thousand. With the free version, you can host a group as big as 100 members with a 40-minute cap, while a paid subscription will allow up 1000 people to attend.