16款有助于提升工作效率的工具

本文為與《創業者》雜志的合作內容，下文最初發表于Entrepreneur.com網站。

創業者之間競爭的本質在于效率。好消息是，如今市面上已經有了好幾千種優秀的應用軟件，能令我們的生活變得更加輕松，但是你不可能有足夠的時間把這幾千種應用都試上一遍。那么，哪些應用值得你花時間試用一下呢？

本文列舉了16種我本人幾乎每天都會使用的應用軟件，我還將在本文中討論為什么你也應該使用它們。

項目管理類

1．Asana

你是個大忙人，經常會覺得事情多得忙不過來。而Asana是一款基于云計算的項目管理軟件，它能夠幫你把各項工作統籌起來。（相信我，我試用過所有類似軟件。）靈活性是Asana軟件架構的一大特點，每個“任務”或“子任務”都可以與一個更大的“項目”和“部門”聯系起來。另外，你還可以為自己或你的團隊設置周期性任務，從而使你的工作生活更加輕松。因為你不必再去記住所有要做的事，大可放心讓Asana安排你的生活。

2. 谷歌文檔

很多企業家已經有了Gmail郵箱地址，但并不是每個企業家都知道谷歌文檔(Google Docs)的強大用途。利用谷歌文檔，你可以即時創建可分享的文檔、工作表和演示文稿。更重要的是，團隊的每名成員都可以通過網絡更新這些文檔。好好使用它的“修訂”功能吧！

人事工作類

3. oDesk&Elance

oDesk和Elance（兩家公司正處于并購流程）是兩個自由職業者市場，你可以在上面迅速找到、聯系并聘請到全球各地的自由職業者。需要一個網站開發員或內容寫手？不必雇傭一名全職員工，招募一名自由職業者就可搞定?；钴S在這兩個市場上的自由職業者多達100余萬人。

4. 外包就業服務

如果你的確需要招募很多自由職業者來為你打短工，那么你或許考慮過，干脆把服務外包流程也外包出去。市面上有好幾家不錯的公司從事這樣的服務，每家都有不同的業務模式。比如，Bolton Remote公司能為你組織起一支經過審查的離岸承包商隊伍。另一家提供商Hubstaff會評估你的項目，然后為你匹配合適的項目專家。使用就業外包服務可以節省你的時間，從而讓你不必自己從事招募這一套流程。這些公司一般提供免費的招聘和就業外包服務，但是會從計時工資中抽取一定提成。

銷售與市場類

5．谷歌網站管理員工具

差不多人人都知道谷歌的分析工具Google Analytics，但是你是否用過谷歌的網站管理員工具(Google Webmaster Tools)？作為一名營銷人員，我認為谷歌的網站管理工具是我用過的最重要的免費工具之一。你肯定想讓自己公司的名字出現在谷歌搜索結果之中，對吧？那么為什么不聽聽谷歌網站管理員工具教給你的訣竅呢？

6. 谷歌搜索廣告關鍵詞規劃工具

競爭對手在網上的表現如何？谷歌的搜索廣告關鍵詞規劃工具會幫助你解答這個問題?！八阉鲝V告”這個詞可能會令有些企業家望而卻步，因為它似乎會要求你買廣告位。但事實并非如此，只要有谷歌賬號，任何人都能使用這個關鍵詞規劃工具（不過你首先必須點擊Adwords的進入端口）。然后你可以使用關鍵詞規劃工具來看看在你從事的領域中，哪些關鍵詞會吸引最多的搜索量，然后找出吸引流量的機會。

7. WordPress CMS

的確，所有的托管公司都提供了一個基本的CMS系統（內容管理系統），但它們是否具有足夠的靈活性，確保你的顧客能在網絡上找到你？大概不能。WordPress是一個開源的CMS系統，你還可以選擇定制或持續優化。你可能需要某個有開發經驗的人幫你安裝，但一旦安裝完畢，你八成不需要任何幫助就能自己發布內容了。

This post is in partnership with Entrepreneur. The article below was originally published at Entrepreneur.com.

Productivity is the name of the game for entrepreneurs. The good news is that there are thousands of amazing software applications out there, designed to make your life easier. The bad news is that you don’t have time to try thousands of software applications. Which ones are worth your time?

In this post, we’ll take a look at 16 software applications that I use almost every day — and discuss why you should too.

Project management.

1. Asana.

You’re a busy person. At times, it all can feel overwhelming. Asana is a cloud-based project management software that helps you keep it together. (Trust me, I’ve tried them all.) Flexibility is built into Asana’s architecture. Each “task”, or “subtask”, can be associated with a larger “project” and “department.” In addition, you can even assign recurring tasks to yourself or team, which makes life so much easier. Stop trying to remember all the things you’re supposed to do and let Asana structure your life.

2. Google Docs

Many entrepreneurs already have a Gmail address, but not every ‘trep knows about the power of Google Docs. By utilizing Google Docs, you can instantly create shareable documents, spreadsheets and presentations that can be updated by any team member with an Internet connection. Take that “track changes”!

Staffing

3. oDesk&Elance

oDesk and Elance (now in the process of merging) are freelance marketplaces, which allow you to quickly identify, engage and hire freelancers from all over the globe. Need a website developer or content writer? Don’t hire an employee; instead, work with a freelancer. At last count, there were more than 1 million freelance contractors available via these marketplaces.

4. Outsourcing placement services.

If you do much hiring of freelancers, you’ve probably considered outsourcing the outsourcing. There are several great services that can help, each with varying business models. For example, Bolton Remotewill build your team with vetted, offshore contractors. Another provider,Hubstaff, starts with your project in mind and then matches you with project specialists. Using an outsourcing placement service will save time instead of trying to do the recruiting yourself. These firms typically offer free recruiting and placement services but take a cut of the hourly rate.

Sales & Marketing

5. Google Webmaster Tools.

Everyone knows about Google Analytics, but are you using Google Webmaster Tools? As a marketer, I view Webmaster Tools as one of the most important free tools at my disposal. You want to get found on Google, right? Why not listen to what Google is telling you via Webmaster Tools?

6. Google Adwords Keyword Planner

How are your competitors getting found online? Google Adwords Keyword Planner helps you answer this question. The word “Adwords” may give some ‘treps pause, as it sounds like you will have to purchase advertising. Not true. Google has made its Keyword Planner tool available to anyone with a Google account (you must first click through the Adwords entry portal). Use the Adwords Keyword Planner to see what keywords are generating the most search volume in your niche and identify opportunities to capture traffic.

7. WordPress CMS

Sure, all of the hosting companies offer a basic CMS (content management system). But do they offer the flexibility that you need to get found online? Probably not. WordPress is an open-source CMS that you can install, customize and continuously optimize. You will likely need someone with development experience to help with set up, but once the template is installed, you’re probably smart enough to publish content without any assistance.