Part of the beauty of the 21st century is the ability to run your business from anywhere. There are days when I am nowhere near a computer and I can run everything from smartphone apps.
Just last week, I was running errands I’d been procrastinating on for a few weeks. A major opportunity just so happened to come into my inbox while I was out and about. This opportunity had an incredibly tight deadline and I was nowhere near my computer. I also wasn’t going to make it back home in time to get the information this potential client needed.
Fortunately, all I needed was the WiFi connection at a nearby Starbucks and my smartphone. Here are the smartphone apps you need so you can run your business from anywhere.
Project Management
If you’re working with a team it’s important that you install a smartphone app for your project management system. Most project management systems have smartphone apps so you can communicate with all parties.
For instance, my team and I use Asana to communicate with each other. When I have another hectic day, I can send messages and assign tasks within the smartphone app.
Some project management systems also allow you to communicate with clients without clogging up your inbox. This is great for sending files while on the go and keeping all parties updated.
This is actually how I was able to meet my deadline that day. Had it not been for the fact that I had the smartphone app for Asana on my phone, we might have missed the deadline.
Money
In addition to smartphone apps for project management, you’ll certainly want one for payments. This could look like an app that runs credit cards, a P2P app or an app that allows you to send and receive mobile payments.
Another option is a digital wallet. This is great if you accidentally leave your business credit card at home and need to make some business purchases. Smartphone apps that help you track business expenses can come in handy here too.
While I personally try to avoid having my business email on my phone, sometimes you don’t have a choice. It’s also one of the easier smartphone apps to maneuver.
Let’s face it, a lot of business communication is handled via email these days. If that’s the case sometimes just easier to handle it from your phone when you’re on the go.
One option is to create a system with your team so your phone isn’t bombarded by work emails. For example, I have my business manager forward only the emails that need my correspondence to the email address on my phone. That what I’m not driven insane by countless requests, PR pitches, scheduling and customer service emails.
An app that lets you sign documents.
Here’s a lesson I recently learned the hard way: I need a smartphone app for contracts and signatures.
Sometimes deals have deadlines. Sometimes those deadlines occur when you’re in the middle of another appointment. That’s where a smartphone app that allows you to sign contracts comes in handy.
Final Thoughts
In a world where we’re constantly connected, it’s easier than ever to run a business from your phone. Use these smartphone apps to help you run a business from anywhere.
