I’m going old school for my 2nd of 5 Top Productivity Tools…all the way back to my dot.com days. Back then, (cue the nostalgic 90′s music),  ideas were bursting around me like fireworks on a hot summer night. Yup, it was a magical time when multidisciplinary collaboration was the expectation. At our company, the sound of stinky dry-erase markers sliding across shiny whiteboards was as common as the phrase “stock options”.

Then the bust.

Then everyone went home to work as consultants.

Whiteboards left my life for a long time. Idea-catching and concept development is easy on my Mac. Everything is more efficient on the computer, right?

Not so fast. I have been using a two-whiteboard system for six months now and truly believe it has been a key factor in my productivity. More importantly, I feel it has been the difference maker in my solutions development process…and that tops my list of core values.

Top Tool #2:
The Good ol’ Whiteboard, with a Twist

A 14" x 11" mini dry-erase board means I always have a way to capture a great idea as well as a place for my sandwich.

Here’s a peek into my system:

• I use a portable, free-standing, easel-style whiteboard as my primary idea catching surface. I don’t move the easel around much, but it has proven to be more flexible than wall mounted boards when it comes to office reorganizations. (Portability also means it can be used for a spontaneous game of Pictionary!) I have the easel positioned next to my desk so I can jot down notes by simply reaching to my right; I believe that to be critical to a successful solution. Keep it close and use it for To-Do’s, research notes, world-changing epiphanies, reminders, phone numbers, etc. I don’t worry about keeping it super neat or uber organized. This is the most direct path from my brain to the real world. No filtering. No filing.
• In October, I added its little brother, a 14” x 11” lap version. Designed for cubicles, this whiteboard is my portable idea catcher. The small board is particularly useful when I read or listen to a podcast on a couch or chair outside my office. (It also works well as a lap desk…and even as a lunch table,   sometimes!)
• My secret: Nothing on either board is sacred! I get the thoughts out of my noggin and onto the board. If it’s a concept, I work it out fast and fluid. Then, I take a picture of the board with my iPhone, then erase the board. Now I’m ready for my next great idea! I use the DropBox app on my phone to transfer the image to a folder and up to a cloud. (DropBox will be the subject of my next Top 5 Productivity Tools.) Once the whiteboard photo is loaded in a DropBox folder, it is available on all my devices…phone, iPad, laptop, and desktop.

There it is. A little of the old with a little of the new. Hope that helps!

We all have a mix of tools and tricks we depend on to keep us on track and working our best. There are several, however, that stand out in my day-to-day Greenhouse world that feel too good to keep to myself. I use a combination of old-school and closer-to-the-edge tools that help me stay motivated and at the top of my game. Over the following weeks, I’ll pass on my favorites and hope one or two make a difference for you.

Top Tool #1
The Podcast: Digital Donuts

Downloadable web feeds represent an absolute wealth of phenomenal information…free to the world…served up like a platter of donuts waiting in the break room. Pick your topic and dive in. A wise author, one I can’t remember to credit at the moment, said, “Never be without a book!”  A great tip. My take: Download a couple of Podcasts so they are queued up when you find yourself on a machine at the gym or sitting in the car waiting to pick up your kid. You won’t be sorry. The content can change the way you do business and will always provide a path to divergent thinking…the process I value more than any other.

Podcasts put the voices of industry leaders, teachers, and working peers from around the world in your earbuds.

They are as sweet as an “old-fashioned” dipped in chocolate from Marie’s Donuts on Freeport Boulevard, but much, much better for you. I don’t have to remind you that the marketing and messaging worlds move at a pace that can make your head spin. Keeping up can be challenge. Podcasts deliver potent doses of industry knowledge. Programs range from 15 minutes to an hour and since most podcasters are hoping to build your interest in their services, the segments usually contain some of their most valuable insights. Once downloaded, you can play them (and replay them) at your convenience.

Staying current, I feel, is one of my primary responsibilities to you. Luckily, I love it. Learning and adding improved skills to my work is a driving force in my life. Now, I’d be lying if I told you I only listen to business Podcasts. Being a football geek in a season that the Niners are on a comeback, well, let’s just say I’ve found plenty ‘casts to support my addiction. I’ll follow up with a list of my favorite business Podcasts as well as the balance of my Top 5 Tools. But for now, I’m off to watch the Niners vs. Giants game!