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Use Google Tasks to your advantageAs a small- to medium-sized business owner or manager, you deal with a long list of things to do every day. Keeping track of your tasks can be a challenge — but not if you use Google Tasks. This app can help you keep on top of everything you need to get done. Here’s how. […]

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Use Google Tasks to your advantage

As a small- to medium-sized business owner or manager, you deal with a long list of things to do every day. Keeping track of your tasks can be a challenge — but not if you use Google Tasks. This app can help you keep on top of everything you need to get done. Here’s how.

What is Google Tasks?

Google Tasks is a to-do list application that’s linked to your Gmail account and Google Calendar. With Google Tasks, you can create to-do lists for the day, week, month, or year. You can also add notes to provide more detail to each task as well as set reminders so you never miss a deadline. All lists you create are stored in the cloud, ensuring that you can access them on any internet-connected device whenever, wherever.

How to use Google Tasks

On your PC, you can easily access Google Tasks through your Gmail inbox. When you open Gmail, you’ll see a sidebar on the right. Click on the blue icon with a white diagonal dash at the bottom of the sidebar to launch Google Tasks.

To create a new task, simply click Add a task. To edit the details of the task, add a subtask, or set a due date, hover over the task and select Edit (represented by a pencil icon). You can also right-click on the task and select a specific action from the menu.

Once you finish a task, hover over the circular icon next to the task. This will transform the circle into a checkmark, and clicking on this will mark the task complete and remove it from your list. If you accidentally strike a task from your list before it’s done, simply click Undo at the bottom of the window.

You can also install the Google Tasks app onto your smartphone or tablet so you can check and edit your lists even while on the go.

Other useful features

These helpful features of Google Tasks will make managing your to-do lists even easier:

  • Create multiple lists. Click on My Tasks at the top of the window to open a dropdown menu. Select Create new list and enter a name for the list. Click Done. Select Add a task to populate your list.
  • Rename lists. Click on More (the icon with three dots) and select Rename list.
  • Change the order of tasks. Click and drag each task up or down the list.
  • Move a task to another list. Right-click on the task and select Move to another list from the menu.
  • Add reminders to Google Tasks from Google Calendar. Copy existing reminders from Google Calendar by clicking More and selecting Copy reminders to Tasks.
  • Sort your to-do lists. You can sort the lists you make either by the order in which you made them or by due date. Click on More, and under the Sort by menu, choose My order or Date.

If you would like to learn more about using Google Tasks or any other Google app, reach out to our team of experts today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Use Google Tasks to your advantage appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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Benefits of machine learning on productivity

Did you know that learning how to use an application is a two-way process? In fact, your applications learn something new about you after every interaction. They take note of your frequently visited sites and other data points to make your tasks easier so you can avoid repetitive work.

The post Benefits of machine learning on productivity appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Benefits of machine learning on productivity

Did you know that learning how to use an application is a two-way process? In fact, your applications learn something new about you after every interaction. They take note of your frequently visited sites and other data points to make your tasks easier so you can avoid repetitive work. Before you worry too much about privacy, take a second to learn about Google's focus on using these tools to boost productivity.

Based on thousands and possibly millions of recorded actions and data, machine learning analyzes your past actions to guess what you need to do next. Machine learning can suggest specific documents, launch apps, schedule meetings, and send emails depending on your email writing schedule, the device you're using, and apps you're using at the time.

How does machine learning work?

One great example is using the Explore button on Google Sheets. It’s a small cross icon button on the lower right portion of the screen that reveals data trends. Through machine learning, Explore can also analyze written data, and suggest the best layout and settings for you. It can even help you format and design your file!

Machine learning ultimately helps you avoid menial tasks, like locating a document that’s lost in years of saved random documents in one folder. Machine learning automatically suggests files or websites that you usually open during certain times of day.

Other routine tasks like searching for and downloading files, sorting emails, and launching apps are also made easier through machine learning. Imagine the time and effort that you’re going to save if you’re only focusing on jobs that actually require your brain cells to work!

No more spam emails

One of the best benefits of machine learning algorithms is the significant reduction of spam in your emails. Manually managing emails and sorting them into folders can take hours. That’s a huge waste of time and money if you’re paying employees for other, more technical, skills.

If you still think of Gmail as a low-level consumer app, it’s time to reevaluate that assumption. Upgrading to the business subscription gives you greater control over the spam filter and malware detector so you can boost employee productivity.

Replying to emails can be a monotonous task sometimes. But with Smart Reply, getting to inbox zero can be accomplished in minutes. Gmail suggests reply templates for each mail you receive. It's already a great feature when you need to respond with something basic like, "Yea, that time works for me!" but it gets more accurate and intelligent every time you add a hand-typed a response to the database.

All these features make work collaboration more accessible and way faster. This makes Google Apps perfect for businesses that require remote and constant collaboration with colleagues. For more information about these features, contact us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Businesses boost productivity with G Suite

If you’ve been using G Suite applications and noticing your apps anticipating your next action, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s not spyware in action, but G Suite’s machine learning algorithm predicting your next steps based on your usage patterns.

The post Businesses boost productivity with G Suite appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Businesses boost productivity with G Suite

If you’ve been using G Suite applications and noticing your apps anticipating your next action, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s not spyware in action, but G Suite’s machine learning algorithm predicting your next steps based on your usage patterns. Machine learning capabilities are designed to protect Gmail users against spam, while also improving workflow. Read on to find out how it does both.

What ‘machine learning’ does

Like a trustworthy assistant, machine learning anticipates logical next steps to your tasks. For instance, it might suggest Docs or other apps, launch apps, schedule meetings, or manage your email based on your habits.

For example, if you're using Google Sheets to track employee performance, the "+Explore" button in the bottom right of the screen can help reveal subtle trends. The machine learning that powers this function doesn't just analyze written data, it can also help you find the best image layout and settings. Aside from providing you with useful insights, this function also helps format and design your file.

Increased productivity

Working on an office productivity platform that is capable of suggesting apps may not seem like much. But since the average worker allots plenty of time doing routine tasks -- such as launching apps, searching and downloading files, and sorting email -- having a smart tool that makes sensible suggestions never hurts.

The machine learning-enabled Quick Access function predicts the file you want to open based on your recent activities and interactions within the Google environment. Google Drive’s search function is a good way to locate a file you need to work on, but as many users know, searching unsorted files and messy folder structures can cause an inconvenient amount of delay.

Greatly reduced spam

Managing email is a tedious task that demands a couple hours of your day, every day. There are many email management apps you can use, and although they’re worth your money and effort, sometimes all you need is a highly efficient spam detector.

Because of its machine learning capabilities, Gmail spam detection currently has an accuracy rate of 99%. This means virtually no spam in your inbox and a reduced exposure to malware-laden email. Another way Gmail users can save time is through Smart Reply, a feature that suggests possible responses to emails you receive. Google is currently working to improve Smart Reply’s responses so that they’re more accurate and less generic.

Google applications are handy office tools perfect for businesses that require anywhere, anytime access to their files and apps, as well as constant collaboration with colleagues. There’s more to learn about G Suite and similar platforms that might just be what your business needs. Call us today for recommendations.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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As of writing, Google Chrome is by far the most widely used web browser on the Internet - and for good reason. It is fast, clean, versatile, and delivers a great browsing experience to its users, regardless of the device they use. But as Chrome becomes more popular, its Web Store has become bloated with […]

GoogleApps_Jan7_BAs of writing, Google Chrome is by far the most widely used web browser on the Internet - and for good reason. It is fast, clean, versatile, and delivers a great browsing experience to its users, regardless of the device they use. But as Chrome becomes more popular, its Web Store has become bloated with thousands of add-ons. Yes, some of these extensions are shining stars but many others are simply a waste of time and memory space. So let’s take a look at some powerful extensions that can come in handy and save you a lot of time.

StayFocusd

If your job involves staring at a computer screen all day, this extension could be the perfect productivity booster. Why? Because it can be all too easy to get distracted by certain sites and other time wasters while you’re working. But things can change with StayFocusd. It’s simple - you set a time allowance for particular websites like Facebook, Youtube, or Twitter, and once you’ve reached the time limit, StayFocusd blocks access to those sites, reminding you to focus on your work.

AdBlock

Today we are hit with large numbers of advertisements on the web, some of which are trying to trick people into downloading something harmful to their computers. This is where AdBlock comes in. This extension is the most popular extension on the Chrome Web Store, with over ten million active users. AdBlock is designed to block most ads from showing on Chrome. Removing ads from your screen can greatly improve your experience and increase the speed of your browser.

LastPass

While Chrome already has a built-in password manager, LastPass is a better option when it comes to password management. Instead of trying to memorize countless passwords for your online accounts, LastPass can generate new and secure passwords every time you log into a website and sync your passwords whenever you need them. With LastPass you can easily gain access to your accounts, enter credit card details, and fill out online forms with just a few clicks.  

Evernote Web Clipper

Evernote is a powerful extension that allows you to quickly and easily save web content from Chrome and transfer it straight into your Evernote account. With the press of a button, you can grab an image from the web page, make annotations, create summary links, and save a distraction-free version for later perusal.

Momentum

If you find yourself losing motivation to work during the day, Momentum could be the dose of inspiration you’re looking for. Momentum replaces Chrome’s default new tab screen with a personalized dashboard that features a beautiful scenic background, a daily inspirational quote, the weather report, a to-do list, and quick links widgets for you to add your favorite sites.

Pocket

Pocket is the best way to save articles, videos, and any other web pages that you wish to view later. Simply hit the Pocket extension button when you come across something interesting and that page will automatically be synced to your device, so you can view it at any time, even without an Internet connection. With Pocket, you can set things aside when you have an important work at hand.

If you want to learn how Chrome’s extensions and other Google Apps can boost your staff’s productivity and efficiency, get in touch with our experts today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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