Technology exists to help make our tasks easier and increase our productivity, and these days we’re all trying to squeeze out every last bit of work that we can out of the time that we have. Here are four productivity apps that can help.
1. Doodle

Let’s face it – most of us don’t like meetings. While they are a necessity, they can feel like a time waster, and it can be very hard to schedule a meeting time that fits everyone’s schedules. Doodle is an app that helps users find a time and date to meet.

With Doodle, the meeting leader sets a number of dates and times for a potential meeting. Doodle then creates a calendar with these times and dates, allowing users to click on their preferred time. The app aggregates the feedback and then suggests a time and date that works for all invitees.

The Doodle app integrates with Outlook, Google Calendar, Yahoo and iCal, which means you can schedule meetings and send invites directly from the calendar. The basic app is free, but you can also sign up for the Premium version which gives you more functionality, such as being able to send reminders and mobile support. Check out Doodle here to learn more.

2. Any.do

As a business owner or manager, you likely have a never ending to-do list which may get out of hand from time-to-time. Any.do is a beautifully designed and simple to use task manager for your mobile device and Web browser. When you enter a task on your mobile device it will seamlessly sync with other versions, meaning lists will be the same wherever you view them.

An interesting feature that sets this app apart from many similar apps is that you can share lists and tasks with people to ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what needs to be done today, tomorrow or later. It’s free and available for most browsers, and for Apple and Android devices. Visit the Any.do website to learn more and download.

3. Due

Sometimes being productive means you actually have to be proactive. If you can’t seem to find the motivation, best time to start, or just keep forgetting certain tasks, Due is here to give you a little nudge or reminder.

Due is an app for the iPhone with which you can set reminders for yourself. A flashing a message on your screen acts as a reminder and continues to alert until you have completed the task and marked it as such in the app. It can get annoying, but it can also be just the right prompt you need to get important tasks started. You can download Due from iTunes for $4.99

4. HootSuite

There’s a good chance that you, or someone you work closely with, spends a seemingly inordinate amount of time each day on social media. Maybe it’s maintaining your company’s profile or finding and posting interesting content. If you use more than one social media account this can prove time consuming and unproductive.

HootSuite is a social media dashboard that brings all of your social media platforms into one app. You can schedule posts for all of your networks at once, and easily view each service from one screen. This cuts down the amount of time you spend on social media and allows you to focus on running your business. The app is free for up to five social media accounts and one user, and $8.99 a month for the Pro version. Check out the HootSuite website, to learn more.

There are countless apps available that can help you work in a more efficient manner and improve your productivity. What are your favorites? Let us know.