Working in a professional career or running your own business can be tough. For many, creating a balanced work and home life can be hard and stressful. Not to mention the harsh reality of how it may affect your health and relationships. From spending too much time at the office (or home office) to those long nights staring at your computer screen, trying to get your work done before the sun comes up again for a new day.
Fortunately, living in the internet-era there are web apps designed to help you become more efficient and most importantly save precious time. Virtual assistants or VAs, are all about being organised and productive, here are five apps which VAs use on a daily basis:
Asana: Personally, Asana has been a life saver. This web and mobile app can help you organise and manage your work by creating projects and to do lists which you can tick off once completed. You can display your projects in different formats such as list or Kanban ‘sticky note’ fashion. You can track work and create deadlines and assign tasks to fellow team members. Asana also enables you to communicate on projects so all comms are in the same place.
Clockify: If you're looking for something simple to track and time your work, Clockify does just that. You can time yourself per task or project. You can even download an Excel spreadsheet or PDF with your tasks, time taken, dates, billing and other information. This can be sent to clients with an invoice or for personal use.
Xero: If you’re struggling to manage your accounting. Xero is the perfect solution. Xero is an accounting software for small and medium sized businesses, and sole traders who need help with bookkeeping. There are functions such as invoicing and payroll. It allows you to keep everything in one place, you can monitor paid and unpaid invoices. It even sends reminder emails out if needed for invoices that go overdue.
Canva: Canva has to be my favourite web app. Canva is a drag-and-drop type graphic design tool which allows even the most amateur creative to produce impressively professional designs. The free account has loads of functionality, so you only need to pay for it if you want to use it extensively. You can create visual content for your social media, work presentations, brochures, posters, business cards and so much more. Canva also provides templates to help give inspiration and stylish look.
Buffer: Buffer takes the headache out of posting on social media. If you are consistently inconsistent at sharing content on social media, Buffer enables you to schedule your social media in advance and post on your behalf at the date and time you have set. You can schedule posts for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Instagram Stories, Pinterest and Linkedin. Buffer also allows you to stay on top of your results and engagement. You can connect three channels with the free account, if you want to connect more than three social platforms there is a small monthly fee.
On top of all these brilliant and easy to use apps, if you still find yourself short on time, one option is to hire a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant can help you run these apps to keep your work or business organised.
VAs are a great way to delegate tasks that are important, but aren’t using your niche skills for. So basically any admin - that anyone could do and doesn’t require your professional expertise. Virtual assistants typically work for small businesses, SMEs and professionals such as barristers. A virtual assistant is a freelance professional who provides administrative assistance to clients remotely.
By Kirsty Hann
Thanks for the interesting article. Our company is constantly improving the software to facilitate the work of the personnel department.