Spreadsheet programs like Excel might seem simple but in fact contain a huge amount of depth. If you want to use it as effectively as possible, using it in a sensible way is crucial – here are 5 tips to get you on your way.

1: Much of the time used when working on spreadsheets is spent formatting cells. Instead of formatting cells one at a time or one row or column at a time, use the format paintbrush feature instead. Format one cell how you want it, click the paintbrush icon, and then highlight another cell, column, or row. The formatting will copy over, saving a huge amount of time.

2: A lot of the spreadsheets you create will be similar in nature and layout, so you should create a template spreadsheet to start from with these features already created. This saves time you making the same layout over and over, and allows you to focus on the more functional aspects of the spreadsheet you’re creating instead of getting caught up in the details of appearance.

3: If you’re going to be designing a spreadsheet for others to use, or that you will be using far into the future, you should add a sheet to it that works as a piece of documentation. This sheet will briefly describe what the spreadsheet does and how to use it. This will keep confusion out of the picture if you have to go back and figure out what you were thinking when you made the spreadsheet.

4: Always use shortcut functions like SUM() and AVERAGE() instead of typing out the formulas themselves. This saves time in the short run as the shortcut functions take less typing and effort, and saves time in the long run as if you move around cells or add columns/rows, you’ll have to completely re-write all of your formulas if you don’t use shortcuts.

5: Label the cells on your spreadsheet well. Nothing wastes time with spreadsheets more than not knowing where each piece of data should be entered individually.

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Linux contains a powerful set of tools that can be used to increase productivity. Users in a business environment do not have the luxury of time to memorize numerous complex commands; the good news is that this operating system can be adapted with these time-saving tricks.

Shell Aliases These are a quick way to create shorter nicknames for long commands that are required at frequent intervals. Once an alias has been assigned to a string of text, the Linux shell executes the corresponding command by typing in the alias.

Sort Directories Many versions of Linux have the -c option included with the frequently-used ls utility. Entering the command ls -c lists the files in the home directory with the newest modifications at the top of the list. This listing method is a time-saving improvement over the ls -l command that sometimes creates the need to search through a long list of files.

Send Reminders Users in the midst of a project through the command line can email themselves reminders without having to exit the terminal window and pull up their email program. The utility for this is the mailx utility, followed by the user’s email address as the first argument.

The Leave Utility The command line can also keep busy workers from losing track of time and being late for an important meeting. Enter the utility leave, followed by the time needed to leave as the argument. When that time arrives, the terminal will send up a leave reminder every minute until the user logs off.

Count Future Dates There is a quicker option for using the relative date utility when the user simply needs to know the number of days between today’s date and a future date. The command for this is date -d.

Image: Phylevn

Quickoffice is an iPhone app that enables you to work effectively from your iPhone, allowing you to create and edit documents for the Microsoft Office programs Word and Excel. You can then view these documents and email them from your phone.

The program is extremely effective for viewing files while you are on the move. If you are on the subway or an airplane, the app allows you to read documents so you can stay current and get work done when that would normally be impossible. This lets you turn unproductive periods into productive working time. When you would normally just be sitting in a seat and trying to find something to do, you can now pull ahead with your workload.

The app is also useful for editing documents, particularly if you only need to make small changes to a document. If you need to check a document for errors on the way to work, this app is perfect. It lets you review Word documents in order to see if there are any grammatical errors, and lets you fix them. Similarly, it can be used to check a spreadsheet for problems, or make a few small changes to improve upon its appearance. The app is compatible with English, German, French, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese.

Overall, Quickoffice should be used as a way of viewing and editing documents, though generally not for creating them from scratch. Nevertheless, this is a very useful app to have that can help you get things done when you would normally have no way of doing anything productive. This frees up time for you to get other things done when you are at work or at home.

Image: Quickoffice Inc

In the early 1900s, Frederick Taylor, after observing the different levels of productivity among laborers, and the variables which affected this productivity, published his findings in a monograph titled The Principals of Scientific Management. Taylor theorized that workers were not equal in talent, education, or motivation, and these factors should be taken into consideration when assigning tasks. In his study of these laborers, he developed a scientific method of getting tasks completed in less time.

Although, Taylor’s theory had flaws, his basic foundation was sound, and can still be used to increase productivity today. Organization of time and materials, matching workers to jobs, distributing the work more evenly between lower management and line workers, and clearly defining the jobs of each, are at the core of scientific management.

Before starting a job, decide what materials are needed, choose the most efficient tools, assign workers suited for the job and have a time frame for project completion. A simple thing like using the proper tools will not only optimize time, it can result in a need for fewer employees and even make an otherwise impossible task feasible.

You really can increase employee productivity by matching the worker to the job. For example, placing a skilled worker in an unskilled job will have negative results. Lacking motivation, the skilled worker will do just enough to get by, matching his or her pace to that of unskilled coworkers. Another Taylor recommendation that increases production is to pay incentives – give employees who complete more tasks more pay.

Finally, when dealing with lower management and line workers, make sure the job of each is clearly defined. Lower management should have a hands on approach to a project. Assist when needed, but keep a formal, yet amicable relationship with line workers.

Image: Gaugler, Eduard (Hrsg.): Taylor, Frederick Winslow : The principles of scientific management

Every business traveler is looking for new ways to save time. Here are five great ways to get more out of Google Maps and to do just that.

1. Use Google Maps to Check Traffic Conditions If traffic conditions are available for a roadway you are traveling on, a traffic button will appear in the right corner. Press it, and you will be given the current speeds vehicles are experiencing on that road using a color coded guide.

2. Use the Terrain Layer If you are planning to walk to your final destination, overly hilly terrain could turn a simple walk into a lengthy athletic struggle. To avoid this, click on the terrain option in the right corner of the map. This tool will tell you whether or not you should save time by taking a taxi instead.

3. Save Directions for Often Visited Locations If you visit a certain location at all regularly, a great idea is to save time by saving the directions to that location. Simply sign up with a Google Maps account and click the triangle next to the search box. You will see an option to allow you to automatically save all your searches.

4. Use Business Listings on Google Maps Search for a business and click on the “more info” option. You may find operating hours, phone numbers, photographs and more. You’ll be able to save time you would have spent searching for this information elsewhere.

5. Get Directions for Walking and Public Transportation If you decide to do some traveling without a car, you can find directions for these methods of transportation as well. All you have to do is click one of the options that will appear on a drop-down list under the destination and location fields.

Image: Lars Ploughmann