If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me “what tools do you use and what do you recommend using?” I would be sitting at my country estate drinking Sangria and watching the world go by. Sadly this is not the case, so I have created a list of resources for you and it begins with my top 5 below.

These are tools that I have been using for several years as an Administration Consultant, they are also tools that my clients use.

My clients are mentors, thought leaders, coaches and authors to name a few and they are on the go all the time, either at home or abroad and they must be able to access their information quickly and easily. If this is what works for them, then this is what I need to be using also.

I had to teach myself what they were about, how to use them and how to maintain them.  Being an administration consultant is and continues to be an ongoing learning experience.  Just because I use a tool today, does not mean I will use it tomorrow.

Tools of Choice

Equipment:
Once upon a time I was a MS girl, the thought of using Apple products was foreign and unwelcome. Then my first client introduced me to the Macbook Pro, it was what my niche market would use so I had better learn real fast how to use it.

Once I began playing with it I soon worked out it wasn’t as scary as I thought.  It was just like MS as I had MS office for Mac loaded onto the Pro, I found it pretty much the same to use.  There were slight differences but this was all about moving out of my comfort zone and trying something different.

I keep an Asus laptop loaded up with all my fav MS tools just in case it is needed.  You need to be prepared for any eventuality when you work on your own.

Pen & Paper:
When working virtually it is easy to think that you do everything virtually.  One of my favourite things to do at the end of the day is take my favourite pen and my note book and go through what I accomplished and what I need to carry over.  There is something about physically crossing off an item on your to-do list that gives you satisfaction and puts a smile on your face.

My Top 5 Online Resources

All of these online resources are available for FREE.  You can also upgrade to paid packages if you find the free is not flexible enough for your needs.

  1. Evernote – personal projects
  2. Skype – video and voice calls
  3. Mailchimp – eNewsletters
  4. Gmail – email and diary
  5. Asana – team collaboration

To view a full list of my favourite resources and links click here

Feel free to add a comment below and share what your favourite online resource is.

PS. Just thought I would remind you of my new eBook “How to find your NICHE and EXCEL as a VA“. If you would like to enter the draw to win one of 5 FREE copies. Click here to enter. This will be a great starter manual to help you plan your VA Business.