Get to the bottom line with Plan Cruncher
Plan Cruncher
If you’re writing a business plan (or any other lengthy document), give Plan Cruncher a whirl. It’s perfect for creating an easy-to-read, one-page summary of your plan – complete with nifty icons. (You can also choose to just download the icons, which I agree are the best part.)
And their sample business plan summary for Sliced Bread 2.0 is perfect for any fans of sarcastic business humor. Click here to see the full-size pdf.
Reach out and Google some one
Call Phones from Gmail
Just this week, Google added a function enabling you to call any phone right from Gmail. Dialing a phone number works just like a normal phone. Just click “Call phone” at the top of your chat list and dial a number or enter a contact’s name.
If you have a Google Voice phone number, calls made from Gmail will display this number as the outbound caller ID. And if you decide to, you can receive calls made to this number right inside Gmail (see instructions).
Here’s a cute video to show you how communication has evolved and a great article from Lifehacker on clever ways to use the service.
Browsing in a hurry? Read it Later
Read It Later
Described as one reading list, everywhere you are, it works like this:
1. As you’re browsing, you use the add-on to save pages from your computer or phone with one click. (It works on all platforms. Download it here.)
2. When you’re ready, read your saved items at home, work, or on the go, even without an internet connection.
Read It Later even remembers your position in each article, so you can start reading on your computer, get up, grab your phone and pick up exactly where you left off. And if you use Google Reader to manage your RSS feeds, you’ll now find the familiar Read It Later save button right next to the Google Reader star.
Here are some nifty videos: for the web, for the iPhone, or for the iPad.
Read MoreManage your email delivery with Boomerang
Boomerang
One of the features I miss most about Outlook is the ability to schedule messages to send later. I’m an early bird, but I hate to send emails to my team at that time, knowing their phones are going to wake them up. So I have to save the message as a draft and remember to send it later. Not the best solution. But now there’s a better option: Boomerang.
This nifty plugin lets you take control of when you send and receive email messages. Watch this video to see how it works. It’s really a beautiful solution.
The only catch is that it’s in private beta, meaning that you need any invitation code. But if you’ll follow @baydinsoftware on Twitter and tweet your request, they promise a code within 24 hours.
Stamp your email with pride with WiseStamp
WiseStamp
Another frustrating limitation in Gmail is the signature block options, but there’s an easy solution for that too: WiseStamp. This plugin brings your email signature to life, allowing you to add your latest blog post, tweet, status update, quote or other dynamic content to your signature. You can setup multiple signatures (personal, business, etc), completely customize your font, images, and design style, and more. Here’s a video tour and screenshots. And here’s a sample of mine (though I need to update it to take advantage of the new dynamic content options).
Joe’s Goals can make yours reality
Joe’s Goals
If simplicity is your most important feature, Joe’s Goals is the perfect fit. Much like the teacher’s stars in elementary school, this simple logbook allows you to easily track whether you completed a certain goal for the day. (It was effective way back then, and I don’t think anything’s changed. Guess I must still be a kid at heart.) And this is awfully personal, but I couldn’t think of any other way to show you what it looks like. Here’s my chart for last week:
You simply click in the box to record a check mark for that day.
Setting up your goals takes less than 5 minutes, and the service is completely free. Go ahead and give it a try. I think you’ll be surprised at how effective this little system can be.
Read MoreRunKeeper keeps you going
RunKeeper
Hands down, this is my favorite mobile application. As intended, RunKeeper has made my workouts fun, social, and easy to understand so that I can continue to improve. Using the GPS on my phone, it tracks my route and pace, giving me access to fabulous reports and maps about my run (or walk). For example, this is the summary of my longest run so far. Down below that, I’d have information on my pace for every mile and the average elevation.
I’m also able to enter activities manually – if I run on a treadmill indorors, for example. And it works for all sorts of activities: walking, biking, hiking – you name it. Then, you can see reports that summarize your activity. For example, here’s one that shows my total mileage – walking (orange), running (blue), and cycling (red) for each month. It’s fun to see my progress and aim for key milestones.
It’s free to get started, and you can add premium services from there if you’d like. Visitrunkeeper.com to learn more, or watch this great video interview.
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