If you want to capture and access information quickly and consistently there are several applications that will simplify the retrieval of your reading and research materials while boosting your productivity.
I recommend Paper Tiger as a program that will improve the way you manage your paper documents and records. Paper Tiger is an efficient filing and retrieval process that you can use to save articles, presentations, and journals for future reference. Click on this link http://thepapertiger.com/tour for an explanation of how this simple indexing file management system works.
I suggest starting with their Online Business Platform ($152/year). It has helped me to eliminate piles of paper and makes my files rapidly accessible. It is a simple program to implement and maintain and takes minutes to learn. Documents that you wish to have “virtually” available can be scanned and turned into PDFs. Paper Tiger can locate PDFs the same as it does hard copy files.
Next there is Toodledo.com. You can stay on top of your own responsibilities, share work, assign work and track work. Toodledo is flexible enough to work with many different productivity styles, and its cloud-based system updates in real-time as you add, delete or move tasks.
Toodledo is available for your desktop or as a mobile app, and is compatible with Blackberrys, Androids, and iPhones. The best part of Toodledo is always having your list with you, up to date, and ready to add new ideas and work steps the moment they arise.
You can also customize how you prefer to organize your tasks and sub-tasks. I have used the Pro Version for a couple of years and am very pleased with its functionality. I’ve formatted mine with a variety of folders so I can quickly see what I have to do at any given time. I also have shared folders that make it easy to assign and follow up on work that I have delegated to my office manager, IT staff, assistants, housekeeper and family members.
Another benefit is that Toodledo offers a unique email address so you may cc’ your Toodledo account with emails containing information requiring action. In summary Toodledo makes it simple to track, manage and collaborate on any task. For more on Toodledo.com watch this video: http://www.toodledo.com/info/videos.php
Lastly I would suggest Evernote for capturing data that you view and prefer to retrieve in digital format. Evernote is a suite of software and services designed for archiving content found on the Internet, contained within or attached to emails. Evernote will help you keep track of everything; from online articles, emails, digital files, business receipts, even wine labels from great bottles that you wish to remember. Evernote has recently introduced Evernote Business which offers enhanced features and more storage. Check out this chart for all the Evernote options.
Denise Caron-Quinn is the Founder and President of In Order to Succeed, a professional organizing firm serving clients in New York and Connecticut.