Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The Daily Explosion of the To-Do List: Try a Simpleassist LifeSync QuickTip

SimpleAssist LifeSync QuickTip:  Too much noise, not enough Hours in the day?  Try a 3rd Party, Cloud based Task Manager like Wunderlist with  your email to focus in on only shhhhstuff you need to do. 


RECEIVE A LOT LF CALLS AND EMAILS? SEE BOTTOM  FOR A SPECIAL 3 STEP ORGANIZATION GAME CHANGER 

As a long time Operations Executive turned consultant, I have had my share of setting up organizational task management systems using  a variety of different platforms such as CRM or mail clients.  However, without fail there was  the perpetual challenge of "ok, what if we're doing something outside of the system  and forget to put in a task reminder".  This would typically involve setting up a secondary workflow, writing custom synchronization and Yada Yada Yada as Sienfeld once said. 

Say Hello to my Little Friend 


Enter Wunderlist:  a feature rich, cloud-based  multi-platform/muti-device task management system which,  much like another favorite organizational tool of mine (Evernote) amazes with what can be done for "free" (where upgrading to the paid subscription is "Value Added" and not "Requirered for Value" like many other programs that wet the whistle only to make you fork over a subscription. In other words, it's great for personal use, but if you need more sophistication, as in a business setting for example, THEN you can CHOOSE to pay nominally   


I should preface with the fact that Evernote is capable of managing taks and is  always one way to go because of its similar cross applicability, flexibility, and it's ability to keep tasks and reminders.   However, I personally feel it is limited for tasks in several ways (depending on what you're doing) albeit the excellent scalability and  similar ubiquitous methods for adding content, as indicated below. 


Easy Task / Hard Task: Key Points


However, for as anyone who's ever used a CRM like Saleforce/Dynamics CRM, or Outlook / Exchange to manage tasks - there is typically a need for "middle ground" between flexibility and accountability - and in Evernote you cannot "assign tasks", easily create sub tasks, etc among other things.  


Suffice it to say, Task management  is not always so simple as clicking the "done" box - and this where #Wunderlist shines.  Here are some key points:


-Wunderlist can be used and synchronized concurrently on different device models, or accessed via mobile / standard web portals. 


-Uses mobile device "Push" Notification, Email Reminders, and other clever reminder options


-Allows for Task Sharing and Assignment (Requires user to setup Wunderlist Account


-Allows for Sub-tasks (e.g Task = Write Book, Subtask = Research, Design Covdr etc)


-Category Customization (which can be used can be set for individual or multi-user (requires free Wunderlist account per user) to maximize and simplify #organization. (E.g Team Task list vs My Tasks) 


-Simple Collaboration  - other users can comment on status etc if they are able to view the task list or are added to the task


Adding Tasks - Shine on


Wunderlist lets you add tasks through the following methods, and in similar fashion to Evernote, if done correctly this is a major "bonus" by comparison to some email or CRM based task management systems. 


-Add tasks to Task Systrm through mobile app on tablet or phone 


-Access and Add Task System through a mobile or standard web browser


-Directly from a website (Through a plugin or extension - Google Chrome and Chrome Web store - Wunderlist Extension personally recommended) -  see something on a site, click Add to Wunderlist Link in browser or on page 


Or one of my personal favorites, send EMAILS to auto create tasks -  forward an email to me@wunderlist.com.  It recognizes that the email is from you, used your subject for the task subject etc  -


Find additional information oh Wunderlist and the Send from Email here: http://support.wunderlist.com/customer/portal/articles/59709-mail-to-wunderlist


Try this SimpleAsssist Organization 3 Step "Game Changer" to streamline day to say productivity 

 

Step 1 -  Setup Wunderlist or Similiar Product and create list or categorization for "email "or "voicemail "follow up. 


Step 2 - Have  your voicemails transcribed and forwarded to the email associated with Wunderlist.  This is easily done with most cell providers who offer "visual voicemail" (smartphone users can also find other apps to do do) or through your voicemail providers like Vonage or Time Warner and  most VOIP providers. 


Step 3. Use your inbox to stay organized by forwarding your follow up emails and voicemails  to your Task List (see link above) -  all of your  tasks are now in one place - a great way for creating a  daily work plan if you get a zillion emails and voicemails per day  to follow up on 


Like this information?  SimplrAssisst offers contracted assistance for your individual and business needs. 


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