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In a business world that's full of increased competition for every available position, it's necessary to ask yourself, "Am I doing everything I can to stand apart from the crowd?" It's more important than ever to make sure you're taking advantage of every available resource to give yourself a competitive edge in the workplace. Making a few tweaks to your gear can be a good start. Likewise, being the first to know critical information can place you ahead of the pack at the right moment. Luckily, many competitive advantages can be found just a couple taps away on your smartphone. You're working hard to get ahead, might as well make your tech work just as hard for you.
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APP UP TO STAY AHEAD
It's time to put your smartphone to work and graduate beyond Angry Birds. Staying connected, organized and in the know at all times is critical in your journey to stay ahead of the competition. You've already got a smartphone in your pocket, make it live up to its name with the following (mostly) free apps designed to keep you ahead of the pack.
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Increase Productivity:
CloudOn for tablets and iPad (Free)
Okay, tablets aren't smartphones, but if you're working on one and want to increase its capabilities, this app is worth checking out. CloudOn brings your Microsoft suite to the iPad and Android tablets, allowing you to open and edit Word docs, give a PowerPoint presentation, and edit Excel spreadsheets. The app utilizes cloud storage which allows you to access docs from other cloud services like Dropbox. Don't ever be caught out in the field without your important docs again! Best of all, this hard working app is free!
Robin for Android (Free)
Robin is (one of) Android's answers to Siri, basically a voice activated assistant on your smartphone, indispensable for staying connected on the road. Ask Robin for directions, the closest gas station, the weather report or to send a text on the fly. Robin will even read you today's headlines, or deliver a personal 'newscast' of your Facebook and Twitter feeds. Until you've actually got a living personal assistant, Robin could be the next best thing.
Dropbox for iPhone and Android (Free)
Dropbox is a handy app that gives you access to your docs, photos and videos on your smartphone. Install the app on your computer and all the files you save into Dropbox automatically are pushed to your phone and the Dropbox website. You can then access them on the fly, share videos and photos, and save email attachments directly to Dropbox. Don't ever be caught out in the field without access to your info ever again.
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Manage Your Finances & Business:
Mint for iPhone and Android (Free)
Keeping track of your personal finances is a lot easier with a personal Mint on your smartphone. After you've set up the app on your phone, opened a free account at Mint.com, and synced your financials, Mint will keep track of your spending and balances. Every time you open the app it tells you your bank account balances, credit card balances, and monthly cash flow. Additionally, Mint tracks your spending habits and categorizes them into 12 categories, like "Food & Dining," and will set monthly budgets based on your spending habits and cash flow. Like a concerned financial advisor, Mint sends you alerts when accounts run low or if you go over budget. If you ever lose your phone, the app can be deactivated online.
Bloomberg for iPhone and Android (Free)
For the most up to the minute business and finance news, turn to Bloomberg's free apps for everything you need to know. In addition to all the finance headlines and news you'd expect from this trusted financial news service, you can also enter your own portfolio information for the app to monitor. Front-page news stories are categorized into 30+ headline types which you prioritize. The Markets section keeps you up to the minute on market activity, and there's even an Audio section where you can download Bloomberg podcasts.
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Keep Track of the News:
AP Mobile for iPhone and Android (Free)
The Associated Press gets it right with their comprehensive news app. Trusted coverage at your fingertips that you customize by choosing the topics most important to you and your business. Other fun features include AP's stunning photo archives, live streaming video coverage and social media sharing of selected content. Having the most current news of the world in your pocket at all times can be just the edge you need.
New York Times for mobile (Basic Download Free)
The most trusted name in news extends its reputation to a full service app that is free to download, allowing you access to Top News, for full access to the paper's 25 sections you've got to subscribe for a monthly fee. A small price to pay for news you can trust. The NY Times app displays stories for seven days so you don't miss anything, and, just to be sure, there's an offline viewing option that saves an article for reading later even if you don't have internet access. The app also allows for sharing via text or social media.
Huffington Post for iPhone and Android (Free)
For a more pop-culture spin on the news you can't beat HuffPo. Their nifty app contains phone friendly versions of all the features, news and blogs of the regular site, distilled into quick news bites easily digested on the fly. You can comment on articles, and, as you'd expect, share with integrated social media connections.
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Thinkstock6 of 6Next: 10 Items to Build the Perfect Wardrobe
GEAR UP FOR THE PART
The importance of dressing professionally for your job can't be overstated. No matter what segment of the business world you're in, you need to dress the part to stay competitive. But to really give yourself an edge, don't just dress for the job you're in, dress for the job you're striving for.
If you've just been hired as an assistant and all the execs in your office wear suits and ties, ditch the assistant uniform of khakis and plaid dress shirts and start wearing a suit to work. Yes, you're still an assistant, but visually you're putting it out there that you're ready for the next level. Back up your look by constantly going the extra mile, staying late, and generally making yourself indispensable. Be the first person the higher ups think of when they're looking for the right person for an important project or promotion.
If you've already moved a few rungs up the ladder and you're somewhere in middle management angling for a corner office, the same rule applies. Up your style game to emulate the big boys; add a few monogrammed, French cuff shirts, buy a really expensive pair of shoes or a luxury tie that sets you apart from your style-starved colleagues. In a competitive office setting where everyone is giving 100% the smallest details can set you apart.
Of course, you can't get the corner office solely based on your cuff choice, but, if it's easier for the decision makers to envision you in the role, isn't that worth the extra expense of a pair of shoes?