It’s starting to happen – I’m actually enjoying running a business. After 3 and a bit years working for RWD, I was nervous (to say the least) about setting up some businesses and striking out. And the crap of invoicing, financial management and so on is as dreary as I anticipated. But today, after working until 4am (bad time management is still a legacy I’m fighting), I just realised something – I’m not scared about this anymore, I’m actually enjoying myself.
Now, I’m sure my relaxation and enjoyment has got everything to landing a couple of interesting jobs, and actually starting work on them (and raising my first invoice!), but I’m also feeling pretty good about some of the tools I’ve been using – they make working from home a totally realistic and cost-effective proposition. So, here are the tools I’ve found to be invaluable:
*BaseCamp* – online project management tool
Absolutely bloody fantastic. I’ve used this for less than a week and it’s invaluable. It’s so well designed and it features precisely what I need to manage a bunch of different projects. It feeds out calendars via ics, so I can subscribe to them in iCal, and RSS feeds, so I can keep an eye on activity in NetNewsWire. But that’s just geeky icing. The core functions are so well designed and thoughtful, it really does make my life easier. Little things like when I just uploaded a document, it asked me whether that completed a milestone. It had – and I hadn’t even thought to tag that, but there it is…a quietly competent workflow. But it’s genius is in it’s lack of structure – and the focus on communication rather than overt process. And fab client access and views from their perspective. Essential.
*Skype* – VoIP voice/messaging application
Well, what can I say. Voice software that lets me and colleagues conference call for free. Invaluable. I’ve got everyone I know using this – true network effect in action.
*SubEthaEdit* – collaborative text editor
Crap name, great software. Phil and I have been using this (while connected on Skype) to edit documents together in real time for Loudish. It’s as good as sitting next to eachother. I just noticed it needs a $35 licence…whoops didn’t realise that. Ok, off to buy that now.
*OmniOutliner* – ideas outliner/document creator
I’ve been using this for years, but the new version is excellent. I’d be lost without this, as it lets me think structurally (anyone who knows me will tell you this is a good thing :-)
*OmniGraffle Pro* – graphics/drawing/charting/you name it application
Fab graphical editor. I’ve used this for creating brochures, diagrams, project plans, you name it. Makes my docs look professional. No mean feat!
*TextDrive* – web hosting
These guys are also fabulous. Really shit-hot web hosting that has everything I need. I’m running a virtual business and need to have decent reliability and good guys on my side. They’re like having your mate look after your hosting – but I don’t have to call in favours because I’m a customer! Nice secure email server and sftp for file management, webdav and ical hosting, not to mention a tonne of stuff I haven’t taken advantage of.
*Movable Type* – blog tool
And last, but definitely not least – MovableType. I’ve been using MT for 2 and a bit years now – it’s excellent. We just recently revealed the Loudish Blog, and it’s a core component of getting our philosophy, ideas, and profile recognised. Launch a company, write some decent stuff, think in the open and watch the connections start appearing. I couldn’t think of a more effective platform to launch a company’s public presence on.
None of these tools are new or haven’t been lauded before, but for me, starting out, they collectively provide me an extraordinarily powerful platform to do my work – and at a ridiculously low total cost.
I think I’m as effective, and portray as much credibility and professionalism, if not more, than when I had a major organisation behind me. It’s a good time to be a little guy!
And of course, tools are just that – tools. It’s me and my little brain that I’m selling, but I’d be nowhere near as effective without the above.
I should mention FireFox, ThunderBird, Calendar and Zone Alarm as well – I had to fix a colleague’s PC the other day. I basically wiped his machine, reinstalled Windows and installed the above. They all rock. If I had to use Windows, I’d be happy to sit within those apps all day. Mind you, I’ve told my colleague to get a Mac Mini if he wants any further support from me! Then he can get into some of the other cool apps I’ve talked about above…