Emily Parks to Offer Courses at the Technology Training Solutions Unit of North Carolina State University

According to Dictionary.com, productivity is “the quality, state or fact of being able to generate, create, enhance or bring forth goods and services”. Knowing how to get more done in less time and to quickly find what you need is a vital skill to be learned by busy professionals and corporate teams alike.

Are you looking to boost your productivity? If so, it might be time to go back to school… Starting this semester, I'll be teaching at the Technology Training Solutions unit of North Carolina State University. I am honored to be an instructor in the Technology Training Solutions unit at the McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education, where they have a reputation for excellence in continuing education for technology, and I’m excited to share several of my most popular technology workshops, including productivity apps to help busy professionals get more done, boost profitability and aid peace of mind.

Holly Basso, Assistant Director at North Carolina State University, has said, “The Technology Training Solutions at NCSU has provided leading-edge training and certification programs since 1988. We are thrilled to add Emily Parks to our roster of outstanding instructors. Emily brings a new element to our program by offering classes that teach people how to efficiently and effectively use technology to increase productivity and sharpen their business organization skills.” Since I know technology can be overwhelming, I created my business workshops so people can have the best information at their fingertips. No matter if you are a PC- or Mac-user, I will share productivity apps and tips you can implement immediately to increase your efficiency.

Designed to benefit all busy professionals, no matter whether you are new to technology or comfortable with it, whether you are a small business owner or have 30,000 employees and whether you are a Mac-, PC-, Android-, Blackberry-, iPad- or iPhone-based, these workshops will provide ideas to implement for immediate improvements to your output and profitability.

Here are the courses I’ll be teaching in upcoming months, including links to get more details or to register for attending:

"Using Evernote to Remember Everything - Evernote Basics”…Tuesday, September 16th at noon to 4pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1vDO9tE.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- What Evernote is and how it can improve your day-to-day operations
- Ideas for immediately implementing Evernote to increase productivity
- All the basics, including how to produce notes, add notebooks, merge into stacked notebooks, sort or search, share content and format notes to start maximizing your efficiency
- Hands-on experience in utilizing Evernote basics

“Top Tech Tools to Help You Burn Through Your To-Do List”…Wednesday, September 17th at 6pm to 9pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1pMKHak.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- How to evaluate whether a task should be done and by whom
- Methods for prioritizing tasks
- Specific tools to move tasks from “to do” to “done” in the most efficient and effective way
- Manageable steps to implement for getting more accomplished immediately

“Get More Out of Evernote - Advanced Techniques”… Tuesday, September 23rd at 1pm to 4pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1q6XEJx.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- Specific instances in which using Evernote can improve your performance at work, at home and in life
- How Evernote can better enable you to provide greater service to your customers
- Ways in which Evernote can enhance team collaboration
- Hands-on experience for more in-depth utilization of Evernote and its connected applications

“Using Technology to Boost Your Team’s Performance”… Tuesday, September 30th at 6pm to 9pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today athttp://bit.ly/1Aby2mb.

Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- How, when and if technology is needed in accomplishing each task
- Specific tech tools for teams to collaborate on projects, communicate to-do items, attack scheduling dilemmas, share information / documents and operate more efficiently
- Ways to utilize each tech tool presented -- including software, apps and gadgets -- and how to implement immediately

“Top Tech Tools for Rocking It At Work and In Life”… Wednesday, October 8th at 1pm to 4pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1olFqSn.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- Specific software, apps and tech tools to lower your stress and enhance your work performance
- Detailed ways to use the listed software, apps and tech tools to achieve desired results
- How to implement suggested solutions for immediate success

“Using Outlook to Organize for Success: Get More Done in Less Time”… Thursday, October 9th at 6pm to 9pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1upzVLm.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- Specific ways to efficiently utilize Microsoft Outlook for email management, calendaring, task management, note-taking and maintaining contacts’ information
- How to utilize “the power of one” to enhance productivity
- Ways in which Microsoft Outlook can better enable you to provide greater service to your clients
- How using Microsoft Outlook can improve your performance at work, at home and in life, including effort-saving shortcuts

“Using Technology to Boost Your Team’s Performance”… Tuesday, October 14th at 1pm to 4pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1Aby2mb.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- How, when and if technology is needed in accomplishing each task
- Specific tech tools for teams to collaborate on projects, communicate to-do items, attack scheduling dilemmas, share information / documents and operate more efficiently
- Ways to utilize each tech tool presented -- including software, apps and gadgets -- and how to implement immediately

"Using Evernote to Remember Everything - Evernote Basics”…Wednesday, October 22nd at 5pm to 9pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1vDO9tE.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- What Evernote is and how it can improve your day-to-day operations
- Ideas for immediately implementing Evernote to increase productivity
- All the basics, including how to produce notes, add notebooks, merge into stacked notebooks, sort or search, share content and format notes to start maximizing your efficiency
- Hands-on experience in utilizing Evernote basics

“Top Tech Tools to Help You Burn Through Your To-Do List”…Tuesday, November 4th at 1pm to 4pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1pMKHak.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- How to evaluate whether a task should be done and by whom
- Methods for prioritizing tasks
- Specific tools to move tasks from “to do” to “done” in the most efficient and effective way
- Manageable steps to implement for getting more accomplished immediately

“Get More Out of Evernote - Advanced Techniques”… Thursday, November 13th at 6pm to 9pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1q6XEJx.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- Specific instances in which using Evernote can improve your performance at work, at home and in life
- How Evernote can better enable you to provide greater service to your customers
- Ways in which Evernote can enhance team collaboration
- Hands-on experience for more in-depth utilization of Evernote and its connected applications

“Be More Productive While Working On-The-Go”… Wednesday, November 19th at 1pm to 4pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1uMv0BB.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- Easy methods to transition systems from office to mobile environments
- Technological tools to help you find what you need when you need it while on the go
- Options to enhance communication and collaboration with remote teams, vendors and clients

“Top Tech Tools for Rocking It At Work and In Life”… Thursday, December 4th at 6pm to 9pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1olFqSn.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- Specific software, apps and tech tools to lower your stress and enhance your work performance
- Detailed ways to use the listed software, apps and tech tools to achieve desired results
- How to implement suggested solutions for immediate success

“Using Outlook to Organize for Success: Get More Done in Less Time”… Wednesday, December 10th at 1pm to 4pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1upzVLm.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- Specific ways to efficiently utilize Microsoft Outlook for email management, calendaring, task management, note-taking and maintaining contacts’ information
- How to utilize “the power of one” to enhance productivity
- Ways in which Microsoft Outlook can better enable you to provide greater service to your clients
- How using Microsoft Outlook can improve your performance at work, at home and in life, including effort-saving shortcuts

“Be More Productive While Working On-The-Go”… Thursday, December 11th at 6pm to 9pm in NC State’s Technology Training Solutions unit, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27606… Learn more and register today at http://bit.ly/1uMv0BB.
Attend this course and you will learn the following:
- Easy methods to transition systems from office to mobile environments
- Technological tools to help you find what you need when you need it while on the go
- Options to enhance communication and collaboration with remote teams, vendors and clients

Contact me with questions at 919-981-6397 or by clicking here to send me an email, and I look forward to seeing you in one (or more) of this fall’s courses at NC State University’s Technology Training Solutions!

Are You Ready to "Bring The Neat" as well as Implement the "Top Tech Tools for Rocking It at Work and in Life"?

 Today kicks off a very busy week in the world of +Organize for Success, LLC, and I'd love for you to join in some of the fun... Beyond attending this morning's Bizwomen Mentoring Monday event and, then, celebrating the honorees of the Triangle Business Journal's 2014 Women in Business Awards over lunch, I'll be working with several wonderful clients, all leading up to two very special events this Friday, April 11th... Mark your calendar now to join me at either or both of Friday's events!

On Friday, you have two options to get tips and tidbits from me as well as several of my colleagues: First, WrapIt presents "Bring The Neat" Springtime Organizing Master Summit starting at 10am on a Google+ Hangout, and I am thrilled to be one of the presenters. This online event will feature 10 organizing specialists, who will share tips for getting organized and boosting your productivity this spring. While you can find the link to join us as well as the entire summit's agenda at BringTheNeat.com, I want to highlight that my portion about how to "Spring Clean Your Email & Mobile Devices" will be at 11:35am to 11:50am; here's a bit about what I'll share:

Then, I'm so very excited to be presenting an updated version of my "Top Tech Tools for Rocking It at Work and in Life" at 3:00pm to 5:00pm in the Training Room of Executive Office Suites in Lafayette Village at 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27615... Do you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done? Might you be losing time and want to get it back? Feel like you might be treading water and all you want is to get ahead of the onslaught? Need a competitive edge?!? Well, this Friday's workshop might well offer exactly what you are seeking... Take full advantage of available software, apps and tech tools to achieve an organized office, enhanced efficiency, greater productivity and larger profitability. Adjust how you approach your work and organize for greater success so you get more done in less time, quickly find what you need when you need it and always know what must be done when. Here's what you'll take away from this presentation:

• Particular software, apps & tech tools to lower your stress and enhance work performance

• Detailed ways to use these software, apps & tech tools to achieve desired results

• How to implement suggested solutions for immediate success

Visit http://TopTechTools.eventbrite.com to register and reserve your spot. I'll do the legwork for you in finding the most up-to-date options and how you could best use each, bringing all attendees an excellent handout to be referenced later for easily adopting what software, apps and tech tools are best for your specific needs... Come ready to expand your effectiveness.

Thanks for your interest in what I'm offering for enhancing your productivity, helping you get organizing and how to include technology in your efforts for greater efficiency... I look forward to connecting with you soon, but don't hesitate to give me a holler in the meantime. Have a marvelous Monday today!

Top 15 Features Offered by Evernote for Adding More "Wow!" to Your Life

So you've heard about this amazing tool to help you "remember everything", but you're simply not sure how it could really impact your life? Well, there are a plethora of features that make using Evernote truly awesome for entrepreneurs, C-level executives, busy professionals, small business managers and the like. Here are just a few examples of its amazing features:

1. While the most basic note in your Evernote database will consist merely of only typed text, each note can be much more complex, having options for including stored documents, recorded audio or video, captured photographs, web clippings and tasks with reminders. Solely your creativity can limit your options for notes to be included in your database.

2. Evernote users can create an unlimited number of notebooks in which to organize their notes, containing an unlimited number of notes in each notebook. Then, notebooks can be combined into what's known as stacked notebooks, providing limitless options for organizing all of one's saved content.

3. Tags allow one more level of filtering to find exactly what you need when you need that specific information. While no note requires a tag, such categories can be helpful when grouping notes from different notebooks or if you'll be searching for a note by a term not included in that note's contents.

4. Speaking of searching for any given note, it is Evernote's search capabilities that truly separate this tool from its competition. The search feature combs through not only notes' titles and the notebooks' names in which those notes are stored, but it also seeks a match in all typed or photographed text in each note's body as well as in any associated tags or URLs from which content was clipped.

5. Sharing notebooks supports collaboration as users can manage projects with team members in different places or communicate information with clients while not working in a face-to-face or side-by-side scenario.

6. Likewise, users are able to share individual notes via a link on Facebook, a link on Twitter, in an email or saved as a URL copied to a computer's clipboard.

7. Evernote offers a multitude of methods for creating notes... Every account is assigned its own email address, and each email sent to it creates a new note. Content can be clipped from various different web browsers as each clipping creates a new note. And content tweeted to @myEN subsequently creates a note, too.

8. As one's database grows, the convenience of easily editing notes' content allows each user's Evernote account to evolve with that individual's needs.

9. To enhance the ease of editing, Evernote added the Skitch feature so users can add annotations to any notes that contain images, which includes options for arrows, stamps, text, shape overlays, highlighting and more.

10. Furthermore, users are able to merge social media connections and related notes based off any interactions with those individuals in scans of business cards or manually uploaded contacts via Evernote's acquisition of Hello.

11. As reminders can be attached to each note, including an alert based off any specified date and time, Evernote allows for task and project management.

12. Evernote's ubiquity empowers users with the capacity of accessing the same information everywhere at the same time as it syncs "real time" between all devices on which the user has included the tool.

13. Via its "trunk", Evernote integrates with TONS of different partners.

14. Based off its desire to be "the permanent, trusted and ubiquitous place for all memories", Evernote holds fast to three rules: your date is yours, your data is protected and your data is portable.

15. While there are enhancements available for a small fee in the Premium version or for enterprise users in the Business version, most functionality offered by Evernote is included for free, which might be the best feature of all.

Want to learn more, including step-by-step instructions on setting up and best utilizing your account? You're in luck... A new offering of Emily's "Using Evernote to Remember Everything - Evernote Basics" workshop has been added at 3-5pm TOMORROW, and you can learn more or register now at http://evernotebasics.eventbrite.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

Making September a Month to Remember

Aaaah... September! Such a wonderful month! Contrary to what we've been hearing over the past few days, Labor Day is only the UNofficial end of summer with autumn arriving on September 22nd, and September is hands-down my favorite month of the summer season. Temperatures are still high with North Carolina continuing to regularly enter the 90ºs, many of my favorite fruits & vegetables are in season, like apples, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, peaches, squash and tomatoes (all of which I love, love, love!), and it's the perfect time to visit Atlantic Coast beaches without 4th of July crowds. Plus, as a huge sports fan, I'm thrilled to add watching football and soccer in with all my outdoor adventures for the month of September. I can get pretty competitive at NFL fantasy football while I cheer loudly for my Demon Deacons... And shall we not forget that September 20th is my birthday. Happiness!

However, it's really not all about me. There are several very important events happening during the month of September, about which I'd like to make sure you're aware. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency with the Department of Homeland Security, September's National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to take steps in preparing for emergencies that may strike their homes, businesses, schools and communities. To assist in disseminating information that will help you prepare for and respond to emergencies which might impact your workspace, I will be providing the "When Disaster Strikes, Will Your Business & Your Team Be Ready?" workshop at Executive Office Suites in Lafayette Village on Thursday, September 26th. For details or to register, please visit this website. Alternatively, to learn more about National Preparedness Month in general and how to prepare BEFORE an emergency, please go to http://www.ready.gov. While the thought of something bad happening might be too difficult to consider, it's vital to take simple steps to protect yourself, your team and your overall business, and I look forward to seeing you at this workshop on the 26th.

Additionally, as someone who lost my grandfather to Alzheimer's disease, I want to make certain you know that the month of September is World Alzheimer's Awareness Month. The highlight of the month is Alzheimer's Action Day on September 21st, when everyone is encouraged to "Go Purple" to show your support to end Alzheimer's disease. Please mark your calendar now to wear purple on Saturday, September 21st, and visit http://www.alz.org to learn more Alzheimer's and dementia as well as how you can help.

Whether you celebrate the last few weeks of summer by enjoying what tasty treats are currently in season, by catching some great sporting events or by vacationing in our mountains or on our coast, please take a moment to see how you can better prepare for potential disasters or what you can do to help those suffering from the debilitating Alzheimer's disease. You really can make a difference!