Archive for March 2012

How Holdr Can Save You Time on the Phone

Holdr is a great iPhone app designed to save you time. The name, short for “holder,” says it all. The app is designed to wait on phone calls that have been placed on hold for you. It saves you time, because you can get back to work while Holdr waits on held phone calls.

Here’s how it works. When you make a call that’s likely to be placed on hold, you do it through the app instead of the regular phone interface. When you are placed on hold, just press * and 7 and then hang up. When someone picks up on the other end, Holdr will call you back. You are free to do whatever you want while on hold, and don’t have to wait. This can save you considerable time and improve productivity.

If the people you are calling hang up, Holdr calls you back and lets you reconnect the call. You don’t have to worry about losing the call with Holdr. Holdr can also call you back on a different phone to the one that you placed the call on. You can make a Holdr call on your iPhone, and have Holdr call you back on your home or office phone when you get off hold.

Holdr is designed to save you time and improve productivity, without worry. If you spend a lot of time on held phone calls, Holdr really can save you time. Whether you are a tech support call worker or if you just have to deal with mail-order companies, then this app can turn hold time into work time.

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How a Laptop Solar Charger Can Save You Time

While it might seem like a quirky idea, using a Solar Powered Laptop Charger comes with a number of benefits and can save you incredible amounts of time. It can be just the thing that an on-the-go business professional needs to keep productivity up.

Aside from the obvious benefit of being environmentally friendly and a good way to get clean energy, many devices are very portable, which makes it possible to charge your laptop from just about anywhere you can see sunlight. When you don’t have to waste time sitting around waiting for your laptop to charge, you can be on the move, getting things done. Don’t let travel stop you from working because you can’t get power – with the Solar Gorilla Laptop charger, you can charge your laptop while traveling. The device is powerful enough for continuous usage, so you have virtually unlimited power. You can work from anywhere, and never lose time due to a low or empty battery.

The Solar Gorilla Laptop Charger can connect to any Mac or Windows laptop, as well as a number of different cell phones. It provides enough power to charge a cell phone completely in just a couple of hours, or to run a laptop. If you can get access to sunlight, whether outside or near a window, then you have all the power you need to stay productive, while also working cost effectively.

Image: Ed Yourdon

How a Virtual Assistant Could Help You Learn a New Language

Being able to communicate in a foreign language can be a hugely valuable skill for anyone in business – and the learning process can be a very satisfying personal experience. Being able to communicate with clients and partners in their own language can push you ahead of the competition and ensure that you succeed. If you want to pursue a flexible course of learning you could always consider using a virtual assistant to help you. All you will need is an internet connection and perhaps a telephone.

Outsourcing firms can be found all over the world and nearly all of them will have bilingual staff able to communicate in their native tongue as well as in English – making them perfect language tutors. They may even be able to speak, and work, in more than two languages, should you decide to diversify your studies.

Working with your virtual assistant, you can follow tutorials via voice, video and email. The assistant could provide you with lists of practical vocabulary to learn, alongside the English equivalents, so you can practice, before they assist you with your pronunciation. Having helped you pick up basic vocabulary your assistant can then help you develop your conversational skills, while learning grammar. Reading materials can be provided as well, putting your skills to real life use, so you can become proficient in reading and writing in the new language. Your assistant could even direct you towards other media such as videos allowing you to view interactions between native speakers, also helping you to learn about the culture where the language is spoken.

Learning a foreign language can be difficult, but with the help of a virtual assistant, the learning process can be made easier. Virtual assistants can be available at all times of day, and can quickly respond to messages at other times. Learning a foreign language does not have to interfere with your work or other obligations. It can be done in your spare time or in your working hours. This means you will be able to optimize your work time and balance learning a foreign language with other responsibilities and your social life.

Having a personal tutor means that, with some practice, you can quickly pick up the essentials and immediately correct your mistakes. Being able to communicate effectively is an invaluable skill that you really can perfect with an outsourced tutor.

Image: Horia Varlan

How GasBuddy Can Help You Find the Cheapest Gas

With Apple’s latest application for the iPhone, you can eliminate the hassle of finding cheap gas and wasting time searching for the best price. GasBuddy takes the guesswork out of your fill-up by locating the cheapest gas in your vicinity. Simply put, as a professional, spending time driving around looking for cheap gas wastes money. GasBuddy, developed by Bottle Rocket, saves the average consumer between $100 and $400 in fuel costs annually.

Using GPS, GasBuddy will pinpoint your location and point you in the direction of the most affordable gas in your locale. Program the GasBuddy with your work zip code and fill up on your way home from the office. On your way to an important meeting and need gas in a hurry? GasBuddy can find the best gas prices wherever you are. GasBuddy is also a great app to have on your phone to help you locate gas stations in an unfamiliar area. Don’t waste time getting lost and looking for a gas station. With precision and accuracy, Gas Buddy will point you in the direction of the best and cheapest gas around.

The GasBuddy is an essential application for the on-the-go driver who needs to get the best value for their dollar when it comes to gasoline. This app pays for itself many times over, and will save you time, money and hassle. By purchasing this application, you will see the savings pumping into your wallet.

Image: RĂ¡dio Graciosa

How Outsourcing Can Make Your Business More Effective

Outsourcing is not a new concept in business: the practice has been used by large and small companies alike who are looking to cut costs and save money. Wherever you are in the world it is simply more cost effective to outsource certain tasks – such as the administrative functions of your company. This leaves the business more time to focus on activities that directly bring money into the company, such as sales, promotions, marketing and advertising. If your company struggles under its weight, outsourcing could free its energy to focus on the essentials of what really matters.

Outsourcing eliminates the need for hiring on-site employees, allotting more office space and taking on the taxes and expenses involved in expanding an in-house staff. In addition, companies that offer outsourced services such as inbound and outbound call centers, telemarketing and ordering often cost a fraction of the price of hiring one part time employee. Outsourcing companies can often set up a customized system for your business in a matter of days, allowing you to start enjoying the benefits quickly. In addition, many companies do not require long-term contracts or commitments, making outsourcing an attractive option for companies looking for extra help on a specific project.

To get started on an outsourcing project, contact a company that offers the services you are seeking. There are companies that offer outsourced accounting, marketing, finance and administrative functions. These companies offer a dedicated team to handle your small business needs and can be set up quickly. There is no need to spend tight funds on finding staff, conducting interviews and training. Outsourcing companies eliminate the expense and the hassle of taking on new employees, leaving your company with more time to focus on building the business and bringing in profits.

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