Recently in one of our online member chats, we got to talking about the tools we use to stay organized. So good! We couldn't keep these juicy tips to ourselves, so we are sharing them with you!
Digital Tools
Google sheets/ spreadsheets
A spreadsheet is a tool designed for creating tables, charts and graphs of data to organize and process into usable information. Members use spreadsheets to track all kinds of data from sales to craft show dates, application deadlines, stockist info and wholesale linesheets.
From their website. Google Sheets makes your data pop with colorful charts and graphs. Built-in formulas, pivot tables and conditional formatting options save time and simplify common spreadsheet tasks. All for free.
Airtable
Airtable is used as a database, as a project management tool, and a progress tracker for short and long term tasks.
From their website: Airtable works like a spreadsheet but gives you the power of a database to organize anything. Airtable fields can handle any content you throw at them. Add attachments, long text notes, checkboxes, links to records in other tables—even barcodes. Whatever you need to stay organized.
Wunderlist
Wunderlist is a popular to do list app that can divide tasks by due date, hashtags and user created folders. It includes notifications so you can remind yourself of important tasks via push notification or email.
From their website: Wunderlist is the easiest way to get stuff done. Whether you’re planning a holiday, sharing a shopping list with a partner or managing multiple work projects, Wunderlist is here to help you tick off all your personal and professional to-dos.
Asana
Asana is a tool for team projects. Members use it to communicate and work on projects with collaborators to avoid clogging email inboxes or losing important data.
From their website: Asana is a web and mobile application designed to help teams track their work.With tasks, projects, conversations and dashboards, Asana enables teams to move work from start to finish.
Trello
Trello is a to-do list tool that divides all of your projects into cards or boards. It’s a more visual way of organizing to-do lists and an alternative to traditional lists.
From their website: Trello lets you work more collaboratively and get more done. Trello’s boards, lists, and cards enable you to organize and prioritize your projects in a fun, flexible and rewarding way.
Pen and Paper Tools
Lara Casey's PowerSheets
The powersheets planner can help you take your big picture goals and divide them into smaller goals and tasks by year, month, week and day. It includes sheets to help you turn ideas into action plans and checklists, and track your progress as you go.
From their website: “PowerSheets are the ultimate intentional goal planner! They were designed to help you uncover the things that are most important to you and create POWERFUL goals that are meaningful and action-driven. Traditional goal setting hasn’t worked for us, so we created a goal planner that focuses on what matters most. With PowerSheets, big ideas have come to life, new ideas have changed lives, fear has been let go, businesses have been started, marriages have been strengthened, and best of all: the little moments that matter have been savored. PowerSheets enable you to start living on purpose. “
Static Paper (aka Tesla Amazing)
AHAS member and online chapter leader Adrienne Baker-Sieffert brought this to our attention and it's quickly became a favorite among other members. Static Paper is a patented, electrically charged polypropylene film that adheres to virtually any dry indoor surface via static electricity. In other words, it’s a dry erase board that will stick to your walls without any glue, tape or nails. You can move it around as you like and write your notes, to-do lists anywhere you need them without wall damage.
From their website: Magnetic Notes are an alternative to traditional sticky notes that use static charge instead of glue to cling to almost any surface. They are best for taking notes and reminders, leaving messages, visualizing tasks, mind mapping, working in teams, playing games with friends, and many other purposes. Magnetic Notes are dry erasable on the back side and come in 3 sizes and 8 colors. Each block contains 100 notes.
Ecommerce Platforms
Among members, here are the ecommerce platforms they trust the most:
Shopify
WooCommerce for WordPress
Squarespace
Each platform has its own pros and cons depending on your needs, budget and your big picture goal for your online presence.
Web designer Jeff Daigle (AHAS member and Denver chapter leader) wrote a blog post where he explores some of the top e-commerce platforms and how you can decide which is right for you: Choosing the best e-commerce platform for your business.
