How is it that 2011 is almost at an end and I feel like there are far too many items on my to-do list still?  If you are like me, you keep lists of things to buy, things to do, books to read, conferences to attend.  Lists for reminding yourself to create lists, lists to remind you to remember things, events, projects, tasks etc.. So how do you track it all without losing your mind?

As the Apple commercial suggests; "there's an app for that" rings particularly true in this case. 
 I have found so many useful apps over the past few years that I now am not sure what I would do without some of them!  

With many of us in planning mode for 2012, I am listing my all time favorites software and iphone apps for you to try!  Happy APP-ing!

• Evernote - I have mentioned this one before and it still remains one of my favorites.  I love being able to tag a n image, a document, a phrase, anything and being able to retrieve it from any computer or my iphone.  I use it for tracking project details, especially field work for clients.
• OpenTable - This is a great app for people who need to book and reserve business lunches or dinners frequently.  Just punch in your current location (city),  the date and time along with your party size and let the app find you a table!  You can then filter the responses by neighborhood, cuisine style, budget and times.... super efficient!
• Air Canada - great for business travelers needing to keep tabs on flight times.  You can also book flights, find flights and verify arrival times (for picking up clients etc.) you can search by date, flight number and stay on top of any changes.
• ScanBiz Cards - this is a no brainer for any business person!  Literally as it sounds, scan in business cards into your smart phone and let the app “read” the text and file it into your address book for you.  Need I say more?
• MiniBooks for Fresh Book - If you use this online booking system, the on-the-go version will be a huge asset!  I like the ease of use and functionality of this system as it makes it effortless for clients to book in appointments with me.  It also helps track time for billing and invoicing.
• Shoeboxed Receipt Tracker & Receipt Scanner - this does exactly what it sounds like; it allows you to snap photos of expense receipts and then allows you to use their online service to organize your receipts and expense records and better record keeping.

I am a HUGE Apple and Mac fan, so it goes without saying that I own the Mac Pro laptop, the desktop system, i-phone, Apple TV and more... below are a few of my favourite apps, software programs and gadgets that make running my multiple companies easier!

THINGS (for Mac)
If you have a Mac computer, the "THINGS" software merges with your current 'to-do" lists and ical, and pulls everything into one program.  You then have the option of adding TAGS to your never ending lists of things to do, tasks and projects.  This allows you infinitely more flexibility in organizing your thoughs, projects, delegations and more!

 I use tags such as DELEGATED (by staff member name) and the obvious breakdown within each of my companies like: URGENT, MEMOS, BO BEBE CR, BO BEBE WH, BO BEBE SH (for each retail location, and then I will create tag items by category like ACCOUNTING, PR, PO's, PAYROLL, etc.    Being that I have 5 retail stores, I have tags for each store, tag for my magazine and all my other business projects.  Then as I want to work on each category or project, I can sort my "to-do's by Tag name.  If I feel like working on my new magazine articles, I pull up my MAG tag list, everything is there.  It lets you sort all to-dos and projects by priority as well...check it out, it is a HUGE time saver!  PS- one item can have many tags if needed..ie, BLOG IDEAS might also come under DEADLINES, BRAINSTORMING, URGENT.

APP STORE
There are many fantastic organizational tools via the app store that are massive time savers (and downright fun!) .  One new one is called "My Measures & Dimensions" - it allows you to snap a photo and line draw and add measurements to it.  How does this apply to  business?  How about you being at one retail location taking photos of shelving displays and then forwarding the photo with written measurements for merchandising for your staff at another location?  Or perhaps real estate agents needing to take preliminary photos and measurements quickly for a sublease or trying to fit a P.O.P display into a certain, small area in your store,....very handy! 
Other itunes/istore Apps, to check out:
Scan Biz Card- the obvious, scans business cards and places them into your Address Book.  This is a HUGE plus when doing trade shows and business meetings.  It's fast, paperless and solves 2 steps in one functional scan!
Drop Box -mobile files and storage, photos, files, videos, documents..
Bump -for fast exchange of details with one other i-phone, bump recipients.  No more handing out biz cards at meetings or trade shows!  One pitfall it is only works with recipients with the same app though.
TellMe Later - for people who do not keep a detailed calender/agenda but need reminders none-the-less.  I tried to get my husband to subscribe to something like this; but unfortunately he is too disorganized to even download the app!
AutoPark - for business travellers, keep track of parking meters, parking spots, GPS parked car finder, etc..Dictamus -dictation app allows you to record messages, rewind, re-record, overwrite messages to yourself; to-do lists, dictate letters to your assistant, brainstorm while driving etc...then send the file to yourself or staff via email, mobileme, drop box etc... hundreds of various applications can be applied to this simple app.