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More and more moms are leaving the nine-to-five corporate grind and finding themselves working virtually from home in order to spend more quality time with their children. These balance-achieving moms need to stay productive, flexible, and as stress-free as possible what with carpooling the kids, making dinner, and advancing their careers.
As a mom who works virtually myself, I've tried out my share of productivity and communications tools. Now I'm going to share with you the five I can't live without:
Google Apps
I use GMail to manage five different accounts related to the different projects I'm working on. I use Google docs to collaborate with other moms for event planning, project execution, and information capture. And Google calendar is a life saver when scheduling meetings because it plays nice with just about any calendaring platform out there. The bonus? Now that I have a T-Mobile G1, I cut out the step of a daily sync because Google's Android platform syncs "over the air." Meaning, I can focus on my child, the dishes, my clients, the mom communities, etc. instead of trying to remember the last time I synched my BlackBerry.
Remember the Milk
As a busy mom, every second counts. Fleeting ideas and phone calls can happen unexpectedly and sometimes at the most distracted part of my day (erm…that would be every part). Remember the Milk is a task list tool that I also use to capture those ideas, jot a quick note, or write down a few words to jog my memory later.
Using the Gmail Remember the Milk Add-on, this nifty little tool now lives within my Gmail screen. Handy and unintrusive, I don't have to open any extra windows to get what's in my head on that list. Literally, within seconds, it's captured and saved. And with my hectic life? Every second counts. Alternatives to Remember the Milk include Jott and Evernote.
Seems like more and more moms are on Twitter every day. So it was no surprise when the moms' twitter streams made headlines recently after a Motrin ad rubbed many moms the wrong way. However, a lot of moms, like me, use Twitter as a way to keep up with current events, parenting resources, and developing friendships. And more moms than you might think are using Twitter as a professional networking tool. I'd even argue that I use Twitter stream as a blog reader that sees more action than my Google Reader.
Want to find moms on Twitter?
- Use Twitter Search with the search term mom, baby, or other keyword like baby sling, preschool, etc to find other like-minded moms on Twitter.
- Sign up for the Twitter Moms Ning group to connect and share with other Moms on Twitter and find new ones to follow.
- Look for a link to the mommy blogger's Twitter profile on your mommy blogs.
Sure, I've connected with childhood chums on Facebook as far back as elementary school on this ever-popular (some might even say THE most popular) social networking site. However, I also use it as an effective way to make important announcements about projects I'm working on, sharing resources I've found helpful with other moms, and discovering new blogs and websites to read and explore further.
The Notes application makes it easy to share my feed with those that might not be avid blog readers and the Groups function lets me make new connections within various niches of interest. I've even designed my own flair with the logos of the companies I work with. Facebook can be a total time waster, but if used properly it can be a valuable tool.
Feeling overwhelmed? Start with these mom-friendly Facebook apps:
- Add your blog, support your favorites and discover new ones with Blog Network.
- Support your favorite charity or express your passion for a cause with the Facebook application Causes.
- Escape from preschool TV show line-up and be entertained by taking your friends quizzes or making up your own with the Quizzes app.
YouMail
This is a neat application that works with your cell phone's voicemail. A lot of people will find this useful, but moms especially. I know there are some times when because of a yapping puppy and a tired, cranky preschooler, I just can't get to the phone. With YouMail, not only can I set up different voicemails depending on who the caller is, I can also see who left a voicemail in my email. This, with the ability to forward a voicemail by email to some else, helps me prioritize and therefore makes me productive.
Plus, it takes Caller-ID to a whole different level, by showing me not just the number but the location, too. Working virtually, I get calls from all over the country, so this feature is very useful when taking time zones and the appropriate time to return a call into consideration.
Living a balanced life as a full-time mom and a virtual executive isn't easy and it's certainly not without stress. But I've found that using a few key tools consistently, makes for a more productive and therefore, more successful outcome both with my family and my career.
What are your must have tools?
Jessica Smith has successfully brought her 8 years of marketing and business development experience home with her, literally. She is Chief Mom Advisor and the woman behind the idea for MomForce.com, Chief Mom Officer for Wishpot.com, and works with big brands including Walmart and Ford. Jessica offers a personal glimpse into her life as a mom and virtual executive at JessicaKnows.com. Her specialties include creating buzz and community for companies that target moms through new media. She has also been recently tapped as one of the 50 Most Influential and Powerful Women in Social Media as #23. Jessica enjoys the best of both worlds, motherhood and career, at home in the DC Metro area with her husband and young son. You can find her on Twitter as @jessicaknows.
Image courtesy of iStockPhoto, iofoto
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