TimeBridge – Scheduling Meetings Just Got Easier

Scott Ellis — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:18:02 +0000

Have you ever had to schedule a meeting with several people, all of whom have conflicting schedules? If so then TimeBridge, an enhancement to your Outlook or Google calendar will feel like it was sent from heaven. The team at TimeBridge has essentially taken a process of coordinating meetings which require a lot of always busy people and automated it. No longer does the middle managers or executive assistant have to spend a ridiculous amount of time going back and forth with people trying to get them on in the same place (or on the same conference bridge) at the same time.

The premise is pretty simple, you pair up your TimeBridge account with your chosen calendar (Outlook or Google for now), select several optional meeting times and the e-mail address of the people you wan to invite. TimeBridge will tentatively block out your chosen times and send an email to the invitees asking them to chose the time(s) they prefer. The system then determines the times that work best for the most people based on their responses and the meeting get’s scheduled. TimeBridge was also still offering up free conference lines for a while too. Not sure if they still are or how long they will be but if you have one the system makes it easy to “automatically” add your bridge number to your invites as well.

I’m not clear on what the revenue model is but TimeBridge is a great idea and as for any business person, but especially entrepreneurs, it is an essential business tool.

If you haven’t signed up already, visit TimeBridge.com for your free account.

Twitter Applied

Scott Ellis — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:26:04 +0000

It hasn’t failed to surprise me how many people don’t get an application like Twitter. I will concede that most of the “noise” on Twitter, not unlike much of the noise on the web is just that, “noise.” However, like the web, Gwitter like applications have potential to be more than the “Me-generations” platform for narcissistic self indulgence. I’ve started to see some fairly interesting uses of twitter for actual conversation and relaying useful information rather than simply telling everyone what you are doing right now (really, do we need to know you are having lunch?).

So I’ve looked around and pondered the question and here are a few ideas for getting something more out of Twitter and making the platform useful for all:

Ask a question about something you really need to know the answer to. Instead of “How is everyone today?” try “Has anyone seen the new Movie? How was it?”
Answer other people when they ask useful questions, ignore them when they don’t.
Get Local, connect with people who live where you do, the conversations will be more relevant to your daily life.
If you aren’t already, Tweet from your mobile phone, real-time is more relevant and the spontaneity more genuine.
Think of your tweet as a mini-blog, not a way to broadcast your every thought. Trust me, no matter how funny it is in your mind, it may not be to everyone else.
Twitter as a news source, spread timely info.
If you’re traveling, Twitter your location from time to time. It can be fun and is a good way for close family or friends to know where you are (I’ve done this on a couple long road trips and it’s helpful).
Twitter announcements like a press release, but do so sparingly otherwise people will stop paying attention.

This is hardly an all encompassing list but should get you started on some more practical uses for Twitter.

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TimeBridge – Scheduling Meetings Just Got Easier

Twitter Applied