If you aren’t using Jott, you are missing out on one of the most helpful Web 2.0 applications to hit the Internet! Using this service is SUPER easy. Let’s go through 5 UpwardAction® Steps to get you started.

1. Go to Jott.com.

2. Register.

3. Add anyone you might want to send a message to, but ESPECIALLY yourself.

4. Add the Jott phone number to your cell phone contacts.

5. When you need to remember something, select the Jott number from cell phone, dial, and it will ask “Who do you want to Jott?”.

You’ll name (via voice recognition) “Carmen” or better yet, “myself” and you’ll hear: “Jott yourself”….beep. Leave a message (like voice mail). Miss Jott lady will say “got it” 99% of the time and ask if you’d like a reminder (this can be a phone reminder, an email reminder or however you set it up on your profile). Say yes or no. She’ll ask if you want to Jott anyone else. Yes or no and you are done.

Ok, I know. You’re thinking “What’s the point?” So, here are a few personal examples to get your creative and time management juices flowing …

Example 1: When I have a blog post idea right as I’m crawling into bed, I grab my cell phone and “jott” myself by leaving the kernel of the idea on the voice mail. Jott transcribes my ideas and emails it to me. How cool is that??!

Example 2: If I need to remember to make a hair stylist appointment, same thing, I use my cell phone to “jott” myself. And … Jott is extra fantastic because it allows me to create appointment reminders, resulting in the system emailing or texting me on specific dates and at specific times.

Example 3: If I cannot text someone (like when driving) and I am not in a position to have a longer conversation, I can simply “jott” them and say “don’t forget Emily’s birthday” (side note - Happy Belated Birthday Emily!!!) or even “Thanks for lunch. It was great to see you!”.

Example 4: Jot is a great way to create lists and reminders. I send myself books that I want to remember to pick up, appointments and blogs to check out. The list of possibilities is truly endless!

Final Thoughts

Jott is really a fabulous tool for the mobile entrepreneur and busy professional. And, this service is both easy to use and free. This fabulous new tool certainly makes my busy life easier to manage!

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Until next time,

Expect the Best!

Coach T.C.

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Starbucks is in trouble. They just closed 600 stores.  In addition to an over saturation of the market (which the NY Times called “location, location, location”), Starbucks is making the huge mistake of holding its free WiFi service hostage.  This sets it apart of many independent coffee houses, most McDonald’s, all Panera Bread restaurants, and a host of smaller national chains like Krystal Burgers and Schlotsky Deli - in a BAD way … .

For the rapidly increasing number of people who work at least part of the time on a laptop in public places that serve coffee or food, free WiFi is a major incentive for spending more time and ultimately more money.

Personally, when I’m working at my neighborhood coffee shop, I always buy at least a cup of iced tea and a brownie to “pay for” my time there.  It appears that I am not along in this.  Schlotsky’s founder and CEO John Wooley says he estimates that there are an additional 15,000 visits per restaurant annually at a $7 average purchase per visit that are directly related to the free WiFi service.  Panera Bread has had similar results.  As a big fan of Panera Bread, I always buy a cup of soup (usually French Onion) and a cup of lemonade when I’m working there (even when I’m not really that hungry).

While I certainly prefer an independent coffee house to Starbucks, I might be more inclined to spend time at my local Starbucks if they had free WiFi.   Unfortunately, Starbuck’s new idea of “free Internet” is to force you to load a gift card with a minimum of $5 (there must be $5 on it at all times) for 2 hours of service.

Ridiculous. Stingy. Cheap.

And, this behavior is outside of the new business paradigm of sharing and generosity.   Since I’ve launched UpwardAction, my visits to Panera Bread and my local coffee house (and my purchases at these places) have soared.    Starbucks would be getting at least part of these funds (because I love working in various locations) if they didn’t have such a bad business attitude.

What about you?  When working in public places with WiFi that serve food or drinks, do you feel compelled purchase vitals or replenish your cup of iced tea (or coffee - for you coffee drinkers)?

Image source: The Studio Blog

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