Six new productivity tools for small business

For most small businesses – and especially startups, fast-growing firms and those facing the fiercest competition – operating at peak efficiency is vital. That includes finding and using the latest technology tools and solutions intended to make the lives of business owners, solo operators and professionals easier.
Last year, Second Century Ventures (SCV), the strategic-venture arm of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), launched a new initiative to identify innovative, new tech and services that could help NAR members operate more effectively.
But the tools they name as the most promising aren’t limited to the real estate world. They can help business owners across most business types and industries as well. They include helpful new tools for such things as lead generation, expense tracking, funding and video creation.
Companies named to this year’s list of top technology tools have graduated from leading business accelerators such as Y Combinator and are backed by well-known venture-capital firms such as Intel Capital, Javelin Capital, 500 Startups, Crest Capital and Menlo Venture Partners.
Services making this list have gone through a comprehensive review of their business, their management and the potential benefit their products and services will bring to business owners. Here are six great ones that can help almost any type of small business:
• Back At You Media (which can be found online at www.backatyou.com) is dedicated specifically to providing Facebook marketing services. They can be your complete Facebook “coach” and offer Facebook ads, industry content, promotions, Facebook apps, page setup and other services. They can either help you get started, or improve a Facebook presence you already have. Back At You works closely with clients, reviewing each account daily to see what can be done better.
• Deductr (www.deductr.com) is designed for small and independent business owners as a simple solution for tracking, monitoring and receiving all of the tax deductions you deserve. With this technology you can automate the expense-tracking process and ensure you never miss another deduction. Expenses are tracked and recorded at the point of sale, and mileage is tracked using your smartphone’s GPS features. The service also keeps a running tab on your expenses so you can see how things are stacking up over time. • Desktime (www.desktimeapp.com) has developed a nifty platform that helps small businesses turn unused office space into cash. Of course it can also help you find cost-effective space if you need it. Desktime is essentially a turnkey service. It helps you list and promote your space, collect payment for use of your space and track bookings. This is also great for creative agencies and co-working spaces.
• FundWell (www.thefundwell.com) helps small businesses access capital and lower the cost of capital through a large lending network and a financial wellness program. They can connect business owners with prequalified lenders to fund business-expansion plans. FundWell can also help prepare the loan application and offers advice on different funding options.
• SendHub (www.sendhub.com) is an all-in-one mobile phone system that lets you call, text, conference and share from any device. You can easily set up and sync a communication system for your entire business. There’s no hardware or contract required. It’s a business phone suite that has everything a small business needs, including toll-free service, landline-quality voice from any device, auto attendant, call transfer and messaging from any device (mobile, tablet, laptop) including group texting and SMS file sharing.
• WeVideo (www.wevideo.com) offers “video editing for everyone.” It’s a cloud-based service that can help any small business create and share good-looking videos online. It’s easy to use, but powerful and flexible. You get such things as fast/slow motion, green screen, and the creative ability to go beyond templates and give your videos a personal, branded touch for your own business. Access and edit your videos anytime, anywhere, and publish easily to major platforms such as YouTube or Facebook. You can try it for free. But at just $13 per month, even the Pro version is highly affordable. •


Daniel Kehrer can be reached at editor@bizbest.com. He is a nationally known expert on small business and startups who earned his MBA from UCLA/Anderson. Follow him at twitter.com/140Main.

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