When it comes to managing employees, every small business owner wants a leg up. Thanks to technology, there are many mobile apps for business, for both mobile phones and tablets, that can help you do more, no matter where you are.
1. Basecamp
When I have multiple projects running simultaneously, Basecamp helps me assign tasks to team members, set milestones and share documents.
The app is available for free on iTunes, and Android and Windows users can access the mobile version through their mobile Web browsers. Plans start at $20 a month.
2. QuickBooks
If you’re already a QuickBooks user, the mobile app provides a simplified version of the online tool. There, you can pay employees and employment taxes (and, of course, manage your finances and invoices).
The app is free for Android and Apple products, and QuickBooks online accounts start at $12.95 a month.
3. ScheduleBase
If you’re still using paper schedules to arrange your employees’ work schedules, step into the 21st century. With ScheduleBase, you can create schedules online, send updates to your staff via email or text and view and approve schedule requests.
The app is free on Android and iTunes, and ScheduleBase plans start at $10 a month.
4. Timesheet Mobile
The other side to the scheduling equation is tracking the time that your employees work. Enter Timesheet Mobile. Employees can “punch the clock” by either using the mobile app on a smartphone or by calling an 800 number and entering their employee and job numbers. You can also import timesheets into QuickBooks for payroll.
The app is free to download for Android and Apple devices, and accounts run at $29.99 a month, plus either $.15 a punch (an employee checking in or out of work) or $9.95 a month unlimited punches per employee.
5. Skype
If you manage a virtual workforce, it’s important to stay in touch regularly and virtual face-to-face beats simply communicating by email.
Skype’s mobile app is available for every phone type (including BlackBerry) and is free to download. It’s also free to use for most calls, except calling other countries.
6. Google Drive
This is by far my go-to app for team collaboration. Because I can share documents, spreadsheets, presentations and forms with team members in Google Drive, I don’t have to worry about emailing new versions of a document back and forth.
I can track revisions and notify other users when I comment in a document. It, like most of these other apps, is free for all mobile devices.
7. LinkedIn
Trust me on this. You should be recruiting or researching potential hires even when you don’t need them.
Use LinkedIn’s free mobile app for any phone or tablet and start growing your network so that when you’re ready to hire, you already have the right contacts.
8. HireVue
If you travel regularly and don’t have time to schedule employee interviews for a new position, try HireVue. Available as a free app for iPhones and iPads, applicants can record a video of their responses to interview questions you’ve set up.
Review the videos at your leisure and choose the best person for the job.
9. JobVite
Shorten the candidate search process with JobVite, which allows you to send invitations to people in your social network and contact list to apply for an open position at your company. You can also use the applicant tracking system to streamline the hiring process.
Rather than being a mobile app, it’s an app built into Facebook.
10. Tripit
If your employees regularly travel for work and you don’t have a travel coordinator, Tripit helps you manage multiple employees’ itineraries, as well as create team travel calendars and maps if you manage co-located teams you want to gather in a single spot.
There’s a free plan, then plans start at $49 a year, and the app is free for all mobile devices.
I agree with the saying, “work smarter, not harder.” These mobile apps for business do that. They take what used to be tedious processes, like handwriting paper schedules and coordinating vacation requests, and turn them into something you can do with a few taps of your finger.
Mobile Apps Photo via Shutterstock
[“source-smallbiztrends”]