5 Organizational Apps To Make Your Days That Much More Effective

fiveeightfx-00_00_47_45-still001

Apps these days are a dime a dozen, so we wanted to assemble some of our favorite apps for organization. From file storage to organizing trip details to content management, these apps have the power to make your work life that much easier, and more effective.

  1. Evernote

Take notes in meetings, and attach documents, articles, and presentations to these notes. You can also record meetings as a part of the note so that you can stay focused on what a client is saying, or doing your best in a presentation. Evernote is available on Android and iOS, and also has a desktop version to sync to a tablet.

  1. Dropbox

Dropbox is great for file storage, especially files that are too large to attach to an email. Keep both business and personal information in your Dropbox account. The great thing about this app is that it offers a free 30-day trial for a relatively inexpensive cost of $12.50 per month. It also has a snazzy camera upload feature where your pictures automatically upload to your account.

  1. TripIt

Keep your flight confirmations, restaurant reservations, and hotel information in this app. For many business owners, travel is a given whether for business or in your personal life. Keep photos and information about cherished destinations—where to dine again, for example, or an article about a particular workspace. The premium version also gives access to frequent flyer miles.

  1. HabitList

If you are a person who wakes up at 5am, you likely understand the benefit of forming good habits. And HabitList is one way to form even more habits. It allows you to proactively decide which things in your life you’d like to be more consistent so that they, in fact, become habits. Do you want to schedule small meals throughout the day? Or do your most difficult tasks first? HabitList tracks progress and offers positive reinforcement along the way to make forming habits more achievable.

  1. CoSchedule

This app is available via desktop, not smartphone or tablet yet. However, it is excellent with content management. Schedule your blog posts and other social media posts through this program which offers more organization. CoSchedule also integrates seamlessly with Google Docs and Evernote.

These apps will make your work life more efficient. And of course, chances are you already have a great organizational app that you already use that isn’t on this list. Don’t hesitate to try something new to make the most out of each day.

Read MoreRead More

6 Podcasts for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Headphones 2We’re going to switch it up a bit today and explore a topic we think is simultaneously fun and informative. We know that you’ve probably heard of podcasts. The question is, which ones are you listening to? These podcasts are a few among many that we want to recommend for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Let’s start with the short list.

  1. The Business of Story

Learn about the power of story and how you can use it to connect with your customers. The shows, hosted by Park Howell, include guests who are leading storytellers across industries. Each episode also has at least one actionable tip to make your content stronger.

Click to visit The Business of Story podcast.

  1. Restaurant Unstoppable

Independent restaurant owners can find motivation on how to run a restaurant, which we all know if no easy feat, but if you scale the mountain, well worth it. Hosted by Eric Cacciatore (yes, like the chicken as the website states), listen to restaurant owners who have been through the trenches and come out alive, and profitable, on the other side.

Click here to visit the Restaurant Unstoppable podcast.

  1. Entrepreneur on Fire

Entrepreneur On Fire is one of the hottest podcasts streaming right now. It was also recognized as the Best of iTunes in 2013. Its strength lies in the fact that it hosts a guest each and every day, seven days a week, a successful entrepreneur.

Click here to visit the Entrepreneur on Fire podcast.

  1. The B Cast

Hosted by Jonathan Michael and Peter Thorsson, learn what’s trending in marketing, sales and entrepreneurship, and tips for running your business. Get the education without the cost of an MBA to learn how to grow your business.

Click here to visit The B Cast podcast.

  1. Small Business Advocate Radio

Small Business Advocate Radio has aired for more than two decades, since 1997,  and runs everyday. Host Jim Blasingame interviews experts and thought leaders in small business and offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs today.

Click here to visit the Small Business Advocate Radio podcast.

  1. Startup

Summary: Startup approaches starting from a business from a real point of view. The podcast began as a day-in-the-life of entrepreneur Alex Bloomberg as he started Gimlet Media. Now the podcast shares information about the stories of different entrepreneurs as they build their businesses. Startup is unique in its ability to follow a business owner from just the idea to its inception.

Click here to visit the Startup podcast.

These are only six, but you can find even more here. What are your favorite podcasts at the moment? If you don’t have one, we hope one of these can be the start.

 

[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Phone numer’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Read MoreRead More

TLS 1.2 Security Updates for pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express/Restaurant Pro Express **URGENT UPDATE**

 

** URGENT UPDATE**

COCARD has been notified that pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express/Restaurant Pro Express customers must upgrade to version 12.8033 as soon as possible. If your point of sale is not on version 12.8033 or higher, please contact your COCARD representative to avoid any payment processing interruptions.

What is TLS?

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a protocol that provides privacy and data integrity between two communicating applications. It’s the most widely deployed security protocol used today, and is used for Web browsers and other applications that require data to be securely exchanged over a network. Several payment processors, including First Data/TSYS, are phasing out TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 by the end of February 2018 with only TLS 1.2 being supported. All PC America users processing with First Data / TSYS who do not have the updated version of PC America’s Cash Register Express 12.8033 will no longer be able to process credit cards through their point of sale system as of 2/28/2018. To ensure your system is compatible with this change, you must be using the latest version of Cash Register Express.

How will this affect you?

No action needed at this time if your POS

  • Has PCA version 12.8033 or Higher

 

Immediate Action Required if

 

  • PCA version below 12.8033
  • No current support contract through PCA
    *Failure to act will cause you to no longer be able to process credit cards through your point of sale system. *

 

To check your version of Cash Register Express follow these steps:

  1. Open Cash Register Express
  2. At the login screen select File ⇒ About
  3. Check your CRE Software and Database Version

 

PC America Screen Shot
 Upgrade Your CRE/RPE Software to Version 12.8033 by calling 1-800-317-1819 Ext. 4360 or email support@cocard.info.

 

Please use the contact form provided below and one of our support team will give you a call ASAP!

[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Telephone’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Read MoreRead More