Two key players in building a successful health and fitness business are organization and technology. The discussion of their marriage is continued in this article, part two of “Getting Organized? Try These Trending Tech Tools.” Smartphones and backup systems are must-haves in business. In addition, try a trending password manager, idea catcher and contact manager to top off your mission to get organized.
Password Manager
Today, just about everything requires a password for entry. The tricky thing is that each medium seems to demand a different character combination. The challenge is to keep the various codes in a safe place that is also easy to locate.
Burn the “secret” index card in your right desk drawer. Invest in a good password manager to privately shelter your identity. Do not trade safety for convenience. One sure-fire way to ensure online security is proper password management.
LastPass is a user favorite. It goes far beyond duty by storing personal information in its secure online vault. Any communication between that vault and your computer are encrypted so that it makes it effectively unreadable. It works hard to prevent the maniacal schemes of even the craftiest hacker. For an alternative, try KeePass.
Idea Catcher
The entrepreneurial mind is constantly flowing with a stream of solutions, suggestions and strategies. A habitual brainstorm of ideas will keep your club booming. Where do you store these jewels of innovation? Napkins and notebooks may be needed on occasion, but there is a better way.
An idea catcher will enable you to quickly jot down your every inkling. Choose from any number of smartphone apps and online tools to help grab a good idea before it escapes your grasps forever. Get them out of your head and into the cloud to be accessed at a convenient time.
Making the list for a second time is one of the most popular idea-catchers, Evernote. Be that as it may, they have stiff competition in Wunderlist. It is compatible across all browsers and mobile operating systems. Use Wunderlist as an effective way to take notes, organize to-do lists, schedule a follow-up meeting and share a brainstorming session with the team. These tools minimize the clutter and take organization to the next level.
Contact Manager
Everyone has heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” Well, “knowing” someone takes time and energy. Stay more communicative with your members, vendors, industry partners and staff by employing a contact manager that best fits you. As your influence grows, nurturing relationships will become increasingly more important. A tool to connect with followers, solidify meetings and compartmentalize social circles is imperative. Make contacts work in your favor instead of being a burden.
Salesforce and Zoho CRM are great, but try Veern. If you run a global franchise or have several locations across the nation, this is a winner in the fact that it helps you connect with people from different time zones. With Veern, add vendors in Asia or your partners in Pennsylvania into custom contact lists that display the current time at their location. The tool gives a variety of contact methods from calling to tweeting. This is contact management and beyond.
So what will you do with all of your free time once you are totally organized due to these trending tools?
Terrell McTyer is the Marketing Monster of Affiliated Acceptance Corporation. He can be contacted at 573-374-9970, or by email at Terrell.McTyer@Affiliated.org.
Stay ahead in the fitness industry with exclusive updates!
Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
