CorryC

At the moment, I am motivated to write about efficiency and productivity. Since I do not have a "personal blog", I will do it here. Hopefully it helps someone out there.

Back Story...

I am a classic case of taking on WAY too much, way too often. I buy sites that I know damn well, I will never get to working on. I have my writers write articles just for the hell of it, then they sit there untouched for months (or forever).

Im currently working on 4 big projects/businesses online that have been in the works for a long period of time, with lots of time and money invested. I run a content creation company inside and outside of gambling, and I pretty much try to do anything I see to be profitable.

For the past couple of years, I have consistently struggled with organization, and keeping track of everything. Im the guy that scrambles on the 1st of April digging through PayPal and all the bank accounts to figure out taxes.

So anyways, I have realized quickly that Im not going to get anywhere near as quick with my lack of efficiency in the way that I ran things. I quickly realized it was all about systems.

The reason I am talking about myself and things people generally dont care about, is because Id imagine that a lot of people can relate...so I felt the need to start it off like that.

So on to the value....

About 1.5 years ago, I discovered Basecamp. Its a very simple yet effective project management software. It allows you to add employees, or contractors, or clients and work on many different projects within basecamp. You can assign to-do lists, and do all that kind of stuff.

It worked out well, but just wasnt enough.

I then messed around with Central Desktop (remember its all about the systems). Central Desktop is similar, but much more powerful and customizable. This was perfect. I now run my entire business via Central Desktop.

I now feel like I have finally figured it out...to a certain extent.

The following, is everything I need to effectively and efficiently run my entire business. I think I can actually run hundreds of websites, and dozens of different ventures (effectively and efficiently) with my system.

The following tools are needed:

-A Mac - Gotta be a Mac..ok not 100% necessary but I highly recommend it
-Dropbox
-Central Desktop
-Skype
-Iphone
-1Password
-Buzzstream

A Mac: I have used both Macs and PCs...a PC for most of my life. My life changed when I bought my first Mac. It is incredible how much more efficient it is. They are just better

Dropbox: Okay, so I just discovered this one. Absolutely amazing. If you dont know what dropbox is, then go look into it, Im not explaining that part. So assuming you know what it is...I use it to deliver content, accept content, share spreadsheets, etc. Additionally - I just straight up sync everything using dropbox (iphone, ipad, all computers, etc.). I have access to all of my files, all the time, no matter what.

Skype: If you dont use Skype, your living under a rock...however, we do more then just affiliating. We run service oriented businesses, and we take on a lot of phone calls. We run it all through Skype for dirt cheap. We run sales genie right with Skype, and make cold calls on an automated basis for another business. Skype is very powerful for many different things.

Iphone: When the next generation iphone comes out, I will literally be able to run my business from my phone.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/preview-iphone-os/

1Password: This is for Macs only, but it allows you to save all of your passwords, and you just need 1 password for all of your sites. Once again, not gonna get deep into this - you can look it up and figure it out.

Buzzstream: This is a magical web app for link building. Combined with the right system, you can automate your link building 100% at a very cost effective rate...guaranteed. I know because I do it. Go check it out..its great. I have a full system set up all around link building, and the core of it is within buzzstream and then Central Desktop.

Central Desktop: I saved this for last, because its more complex and you cant Google how to set this up the right way. With Central Desktop, you can customize everything and set it up how you want it. This is a very very powerful system. You can set up various work spaces. you can set up milestones, databases, wikis, task lists, set up your own personal company blog within your workspaces, and forum too. It has all the tools you would need to run your virtual company online.

I set Central Desktop up custom for each aspect of my business and my different ventures online. But EVERYTHING is on there. I even have a personal workspace that I use for personal things that need to be accomplished.

Here is an example:

For my network of websites, I have a project called SVE Network. Within Central Desktop, I set it up so that basically there is a page for each website I run. From there, I can combine the database tools, task list tools, milestone tools and much more to create a full scale website management tool.

I have a database set up for affiliate programs. Its basically a submission form that we set up (this is all easy to set up btw), where we can input every imaginable bit of info about a specific affiliate program. That way we have everything in one central location. Then when we go to run another website or need to access the affiliate info (whether its your affiliate link or banners or your AMs email address, you can easily access it).

Then of course, a more simple feature - is just simple to-do lists from within that site as well. So I might have a task list labeled Content then another Labeled Marketing then another Labeled Site Front End or Design. Whatever.. Then we add all of the article titles to the content task list, then we can assign those articles out to writers, which have their own account within our Central Desktop set up. So you can easily collaborate with everyone that works for you.

The reason why this is so huge....

(And Im sorry if this is hard to understand) - I could write a book about all of this...its taken me a very long time to come up with what I feel to be a very good system.

Is because, EVERYTHING is all in one central location. I combine the above tools to be able to handle massive amounts of work at massive amounts of efficiency. Delegating work to employees and contractors is a piece of cake. I can do it from my iphone!

Anyways...my system has literally increased my companies efficiency by at least 1000% - not exaggerating.

I would imagine there are many on this forum that have NO CLUE about the power of some of this stuff I am talking about. Im telling you - step up your game...

Take advantage of it.

You will be glad you did...

PM me or Skype me if you wanna learn more - Im always down to help others.


Haha...this is probably gonna make no sense when I go back and read everything I just wrote. But Im not gonna re-read it. So sorry if it sucks.