August 2020 Summaries

EmailOctopus is a smart email marketing tool that helps you build email lists, create targeted campaigns, and design beautiful emails. It offers simple template designs and a drag-and-drop editor to make building emails easy. The app also provides tools for organizing email lists and tracking performance with rich reports. Additionally, EmailOctopus can be automated with Zapier integrations, making it easier to send smarter emails.

Zoho Recruit is an all-in-one, cloud-based applicant tracking system designed to provide diverse, end-to-end hiring solutions for staffing agencies, corporate HR teams, and temporary workforces. It offers intuitive and easy-to-use features, allowing recruiters to efficiently manage their talent searches and create a solid employer brand. The app enables customizable Careers pages, job posting on popular job boards, powerful Source Boosters for enhanced searches, referrals feature to tap into employee networks, and organization tools for managing recruitment teams. Additionally, it provides pre-screening assessments, auto-fill candidate information using LinkedIn profiles, 360° view of the recruitment pipeline, offer letter templates, background screening functionality, and integrations with Zapier for automation. With these features, Zoho Recruit aims to help recruiters find top talent without compromising on safety, compliance, and inclusivity.

Loomly is a brand success platform that empowers marketing teams to grow successful brands online through collaboration, publishing, and analytics features, allowing them to manage all their social media content from one platform and collaborate with team members for creating engaging content. The app also provides timely post ideas based on trending topics and best practices, as well as a library of reusable assets like photos and videos. Additionally, Loomly helps teams track content performance using analytics features that make it easy to measure account, post, and URL performance. With integrations with Zapier, users can automate their marketing workflows and connect Loomly with other apps.

Donately is a payment system designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, providing a simple way to raise funds without worrying about building a site or handling credit card transactions. It offers a space to manage donors and track online giving activity, as well as tools like fundraising campaigns, donation forms, and API integrations to build native fundraising into websites or apps. Donately automates tasks such as sending tax-deductible receipts and tracking campaign performance, making it easy for nonprofits to focus on their core mission of helping people.

A survey commissioned by Zapier found that 87% of knowledge workers dread returning to work after taking time off, with common concerns including getting back into a routine, catching up on administrative work, and feeling overwhelmed. However, 83% also believe there are things that would make it easier to come back to work, such as automation tools to eliminate busy work and ensure nothing slips through the cracks, including automatic out-of-office replies, email filtering, project updates, and check-in meetings with teammates or direct reports. To alleviate these pain points, Zapier suggests implementing automated workflows to surface important emails and notifications upon return from vacation, saving time and reducing stress.

American knowledge workers are experiencing burnout due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly a third reporting negative impacts on mental health caused by stress. Despite this, 39% of Americans have canceled or shortened their planned time off since March. The reasons for not taking time off include concerns about travel restrictions and working from home, with some feeling it's a waste to take time off due to the current work-from-home setup. Many workers are hesitant to take time off until the pandemic is over, highlighting the need for companies to implement measures such as mandatory PTO minimums or extra mental health days to support employees' well-being.

As a product manager at Zapier, I've seen the importance of making meetings effective by being intentional with asynchronous preparation. To streamline and track meeting action items without creating extra work, automation tools can be utilized. Instead of defaulting to meetings, it's recommended to consider alternatives such as listening tours via video or demo videos that allow for more efficient communication. Asynchronous prep work, like collecting and vetting ideas before a meeting, can also make meetings more effective by preparing attendees for the discussion. Additionally, having a myth-busting session can help clarify any misconceptions and create a source of truth for the project. Finally, getting real-time feedback on the effectiveness of the meeting can help identify areas for improvement and engage attendees in making adjustments to enhance the meeting experience.

The author reflects on their own struggle with acknowledging their strengths and feeling like they don't deserve praise or recognition. They note that this is a common phenomenon for women, particularly Black women, who are often praised for traits like empathy and helpfulness but not for being self-interested or technically confident. The author argues that these social norms can be damaging, as they encourage women to downplay their strengths and abilities in order to fit in. However, the author is making a conscious effort to challenge these norms by celebrating their own strengths and accomplishments. They believe that this is a revolutionary act, one that challenges the status quo and requires support from employers and colleagues. The author's company has taken steps to address these issues, including implementing structured performance reviews and funding employee resource groups. By shifting their focus from downplaying their success to reveling in it, the author feels more confident and empowered.

There's work and entertainment, sure, but in 2020 every meeting and most socializing is also mediated. Reality feels like a distant memory. Taking paper notes during video meetings can help bridge the gap between digital and physical worlds, as seen with Zapier employees Chris Dopuch and Sanne Stevens who use paper to take notes and organize tasks digitally afterwards. Dumping brain ideas onto paper can be therapeutic, as experienced by Nick Simard who uses it for brainstorming article ideas. A paper-based task list system allows flexibility and tangibility, appreciated by coworkers like Chris VanderKolk and Hannah Herman. Sticky notes are used as a simple yet effective to-do list system, while some employees create full-blown sticky note kanban boards for organization. Paper offers freedom from digital structure, making it useful for mind mapping, flowcharts, and quick designs, and may help individuals feel more connected to reality.

Zapier's paid plans offer multi-step Zaps, allowing users to add multiple actions to a workflow. This enables more complex workflows and saves time by cutting down on the number of tasks used in Zaps. Filters can be added to Zaps to set rules for when certain conditions are met, preventing unnecessary tasks from being used. Lookup Tables can be used to map values from previous steps in a Zap to corresponding actions, such as sending emails to the right person based on location. Paths can be used to perform different actions depending on the data received, allowing for more customized workflows. Users can mix and match these features to create even more complex Zaps.

When creating marketing emails, businesses want people to read them and make a purchase. Customer.io is designed to help achieve this by sending targeted emails, push notifications, and SMS to lower churn, create stronger relationships, and drive subscriptions. It starts with customer data collection through various methods such as importing data or setting up JavaScript snippets on websites. The collected data can be used to segment audiences, trigger workflows, and automate marketing efforts. Customer.io also offers features like A/B testing for perfect emails and integrations with other apps via Zapier to further optimize email marketing results.

You can pay to display brief advertisements, product listings, and more to people surfing the web through Google Ads, an online advertising platform developed by Google. This tool allows you to set up ad campaigns easily, selecting goals such as website traffic, sales, or brand awareness, and choosing from various ad types like search network ads, display ads, video ads, or shopping campaigns. You can also pick campaign settings like start and end date, targeted audiences, and budget, which cap out monthly but may vary daily. Google can help you maximize your budget by selecting the right keywords and automating ad and conversion processes with integrations like Zapier's Google Ads integrations.

Zapier`, a workflow automation tool, helps knowledge workers ease the transition from vacation to work by automating tedious tasks through pre-made workflows called Zaps. These workflows send information from one app to another, allowing users to focus on more meaningful work. Zap templates can be used to filter emails and messages by importance, gather project progress, send company announcements, notify team members about priorities, and create an out-of-office repository. By utilizing these features, users can quickly catch up on missed work without having to read every email or message, making it easier to return from a vacation.

Dropbox is a popular cloud storage app founded in 2007, offering file-syncing features beyond just storing files, including collaboration tools and design asset management capabilities through its Showcase feature. The platform allows users to share folders with others, who can add files and updates will sync across all shared individuals. Additionally, Dropbox Paper enables real-time document collaboration with commenting and reply features. With automated workflows through Zapier integrations, Dropbox makes file management and storage efficient and secure.

Zapier is a tool that helps accommodate different workflows and app preferences to facilitate collaboration among team members. It offers pre-made workflows called Zaps, which can be customized to address common collaboration problems. Zapier accounts are free to get started, and the platform allows for asynchronous brainstorming by automatically saving ideas in an online whiteboard tool. Additionally, it enables task delegation, progress communication, and automation of tasks such as sending notifications or creating new cards in project management apps. By leveraging these features, teams can streamline their workflow, reduce miscommunication, and focus on completing projects efficiently.

Zoom burnout is a real issue, but it doesn't have to mean the end of socializing with coworkers remotely. Establishing remote traditions like virtual movie nights can help create connections and make work easier. However, group video calls often feel awkward due to lag, taking turns to talk, and an always-present talking requirement. To overcome these issues, activities like playing games together online, watching movies in smaller windows, or even just walking while others watch can be more effective. It's also essential to ensure everyone feels comfortable turning off their cameras, making it clear that socializing doesn't have to happen out loud, and scheduling fun activities with minimal wrangling. By implementing these strategies, remote teams can build stronger connections and improve their work experience.

There is no built-in tool for making a poll in Slack, but users can use emoji reactions as an improvised alternative, or opt for third-party tools like Polly that offer more precise and customizable options, such as multiple choice questions, anonymous voting, and open-ended responses, which may be suitable for more detailed surveys with multiple questions.

ActiveCampaign is an all-in-one marketing hub that combines email newsletters, marketing automation, and a CRM, allowing users to store customer information in one place and track their marketing efforts. The app enables marketers to segment their contacts based on different criteria, create personalized emails with its drag-and-drop editor, and set up nurture campaigns to keep leads engaged over time. With conditional logic, users can map out when contacts should receive certain emails or special offers, making it easier to onboard new customers and keep existing ones warm until they're ready to buy.

The company behind Zapier, Janine Anderson, and other staff members answered questions about automation, remote work, and more in a Q&A series. The purpose of the series was to provide productivity tips and advice to users. The series aimed to deliver these tips directly to users' inboxes through email. The goal is to help users improve their workflow and stay productive by sharing relevant information and insights on automation.

There are phrases rooted in racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination that have made their way into business vocabulary, and using inclusive language can be awkward to enforce manually. However, Slackbot can help automate the process by automatically responding with alternative words or phrases when non-inclusive language is detected. This approach works through a technique called "calling in" which focuses on education rather than confrontation, and can be done publicly, providing accountability for all team members. To set up a Slackbot, users can go to their Slack settings and add custom responses to specific phrases, allowing them to capture various spellings or ways of using the words or phrases to avoid unnecessary triggers. With this tool, teams can take immediate action to address non-inclusive language, reducing the burden on those who are most hurt by such language.

If you've ever listened to a podcast episode, you've probably already heard of Mailchimp ("Mail...kimp?"). The app lets you send beautiful emails with just a few clicks, even if you're not an email marketing professional. It has fundamental features that are straightforward but powerful, including dozens of pre-made templates that can be customized with a drag-and-drop editor and Inbox Preview to ensure everything looks great in various standard email apps. Mailchimp also helps businesses build websites and collect leads for newsletters, as well as send transactional emails such as welcome emails and order confirmations. The app is a great option for businesses needing a robust but easy-to-use email marketing tool, allowing users to automate their email newsletters with Zapier's integration, which can connect apps and automate workflows without complicated code.

Rebuild Black Business is a website built by Justin Samuels and a team of volunteers in just eight days, with the mission to restore wealth to Black communities through economic empowerment and resource allocation. The site offers a directory of over 14,000 Black-owned businesses across the U.S., allowing users to filter by business type and find resources for those in need. To scale their database and marketing, Rebuild Black Business uses Zapier to automate tedious processes, connecting various apps and tools to streamline communication and project management. The site supports all kinds of businesses and also helps consumers find health professionals, and its team is committed to continuing to make progress through events and travel. With the goal of helping Black-owned businesses thrive rather than just survive, Rebuild Black Business aims to be a powerful resource for the community.

Small business owners are facing significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including making permanent changes to their businesses, working irregular hours, and adjusting to a rapidly changing economic landscape. The effects of the pandemic on small businesses have led to increased reliance on technology, with over half of respondents saying they're using more tools and software to run parts of their business. Many small business owners are looking for ways to eliminate repetitive tasks, which can save them time and increase productivity. Despite this, many respondents feel intimidated by the idea of improving their tech skills or know there are better tools available but don't know what they are.

HubSpot is a leading provider of inbound marketing software, including its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, which caters to businesses and solopreneurs who focus on attracting customers through valuable content and tailored experiences. The CRM tool enables easy contact management, tracking of interactions, and automation of tasks and activities associated with contacts. HubSpot's marketing automation tools allow for the creation of customized campaigns, including newsletters, chatbots, gated content, and website analytics. Additionally, the platform offers a sales hub, customer support features, and reporting capabilities to help businesses manage their pipeline, customer engagement, and issue resolution. With free and paid versions available, HubSpot is accessible to startups and small businesses alike, providing them with essential tools to attract customers and create value.

Google Forms is a lesser-known app from Google that can be used to create interactive online learning activities, such as labs, without requiring fancy tools. The author of the article used Google Forms to update an online natural hazards class lab, which was initially plagued by a digital replica feel. By simplifying access and interface for students, improving ability to gauge participation, and adding an expanded component of exploration to keep things fun but not burdensome, the updated lab became more engaging and effective. The author found that Google Forms provided the necessary features to achieve these goals without requiring fancy software or a lot of setup.

Jaz Broughton, a career coach with a side hustle business, leverages digital marketing tools like Zapier to maximize efficiency and empower people in tech to have fulfilling lives. She uses Zapier to automate tasks such as connecting her email marketing tool Flodesk with Eventbrite, allowing her to focus on coaching clients and creating content. By trusting the tool to handle tedious tasks, Jaz saves time and increases her productivity, enabling her to protect her time and resources for what she does best - helping others achieve their goals.

Remote work has forced people to reevaluate their collaboration strategies, and while it can be challenging, adapting to a new environment is possible with the right approach. Children have an innate ability to adapt to new situations and collaborate effectively, which can be learned from by adults. One key strategy for successful collaboration in remote work environments is to establish clear rules, roles, order, and time, similar to how children play together. This includes setting up a virtual environment that signals collaboration, introducing rituals such as small talk or stretching exercises, and having a leader or moderator to keep people on track. Additionally, embracing flexibility and innovation by "plying the frame" of established structures can help foster dynamic collaboration. By revisiting childhood habits and adapting these strategies, adults can develop a new version of collaboration that is productive and effective in remote work environments.

The graduating class of 2020 is well-prepared for the pandemic-driven workplace, having learned essential skills such as concise communication, managing up with professors and TAs, and adaptability in the face of uncertainty. They have honed these skills through online learning, where they had to navigate virtual communication tools, develop self-motivation, and quickly adapt to changing circumstances. These skills will enable them to excel in the workforce, making good team players from the start.

Outlook.com now supports adding Google Calendars, allowing users with work or school accounts to access their calendars in one place. This change is only available on the web version of Outlook and requires setting up the integration by clicking the "Add Calendar" button in the sidebar and selecting Google as the calendar option. Users can then choose whether to allow Google events to affect their availability, but others with access will not be able to see those events. Additionally, users can set up integrations using Zapier to automatically add or update events from Google Calendar to Outlook calendars, providing a seamless two-way sync experience.

WordPress is an open-source software that runs 34 percent of all websites and has become a go-to tool for building websites due to its ease of use and customizability. The platform dates back to 2003, initially focusing on the needs of writers but expanding into various types of websites through its ecosystem of themes and plugins. With thousands of integrations available, WordPress can be easily automated with tools like Zapier, allowing users to connect their website to other web services and streamline their workflow.

You're facing numerous challenges while working from home and caring for children, worrying about personal finances, and trying to stay safe and healthy amid a pandemic and systemic racism. To combat burnout, Zapier offers automated workflows called Zaps that can inject joy into your day, such as sending an "I love you" message to loved ones or scheduling reminders of how great you are. You can also use Zaps to send yourself pick-me-ups like random Good Morning GIFs or inspirational quotes, and even automate the correct date on a form to bring some order to your chaotic days.

Google Meet` and `Google Chat` are integrated tools within `Gmail`, but users who prefer not to use them can customize their experience by hiding these features in desktop or mobile versions of the app. For those who want to integrate other apps with Gmail without using Google Meet or Chat, third-party add-ons like Zapier's Gmail add-on provide an alternative solution for automating tasks and workflows within Gmail.

As a recruiting coordinator, automation is crucial in supporting the team to ensure an efficient and positive candidate experience. By using Zapier to automate various tasks, such as scheduling interviews, creating interview documents, and sending reminders, the recruiter can act quickly and respond promptly to candidate requests. This enables them to maintain a pipeline of qualified candidates and reduce the risk of losing good candidates to competing offers. The use of automation also allows the recruiter to focus on other projects, ensuring that they have more time to devote to supporting their team and improving the overall candidate experience.

Google Sheets has changed the spreadsheet game by offering a web-based platform, similar features to Microsoft Excel, and various tools such as pivot tables, charts, and graphs. It also provides automatic saving, collaboration features, and version history, making it easy to share and edit spreadsheets with teams. Additionally, users can build custom add-ons using Google Apps Script, and save files in multiple formats. With its versatility and user-friendly interface, Google Sheets is an attractive alternative to traditional spreadsheet software.

The article outlines a creative approach to boosting personal morale with a custom-made "You're Awesome" bot using Zapier, which sends random inspirational messages during work hours. The bot, named AwesomeBot, incorporates various Zapier tools such as Schedule, Formatter, Filter, Delay, Giphy, and Slack to establish randomness in both timing and content of the messages. For added personalization, users can modify the bot to include AI-generated memes from Inspirobot, which offers humorous yet nonsensical messages, or even create a holiday-themed version with Christmas images. The process involves using Zapier's features like Webhooks and Lookup Tables to refine message delivery based on the month, allowing users to receive regular encouragement or entertainment tailored to their preferences.

Calendly is a personal assistant tool that allows users to share their schedule with others, eliminating the need for back-and-forth email or phone tag when booking meetings. By sending a link to one's Calendly page, individuals can select available time slots and receive confirmation emails with meeting details. The platform integrates with multiple calendars and popular apps like Gmail and Microsoft Outlook, enabling users to control their meeting schedule and avoid overbooking. Additionally, Calendly offers various meeting types, such as round-robin scheduling and collective coordination, and automates booking processes through integrations with Zapier. By streamlining scheduling, Calendly aims to help users manage their time more efficiently.

Virtual icebreakers are an effective way to elevate virtual meetings, foster social connections, and promote team engagement among remote employees. At TeamBuilding, a company that specializes in running thousands of virtual icebreakers, they have developed a framework that includes three levels: green (easy), yellow (medium), and red (difficult) questions. The traffic light framework allows for scaffolding, where easy questions are used to lay the foundation, followed by more personal and vulnerable questions as participants become more comfortable sharing. Two recommended formats for virtual icebreakers are traditional sequential formats and Never Have I Ever, which can be adapted to suit large groups. Best practices include following the "Max 15 Rule," tagging participants after they answer, breaking the ice often, being a little goofy, and using icebreakers that frame the conversation. By incorporating virtual icebreakers into regular meetings, leaders can build trust, create bonds, and boost remote employee engagement.

Automation is no longer viewed as a threat but as a tool to improve job performance and efficiency, with 70% of job seekers believing automation skills will help them secure their next job. Automation can make individuals better at any job by automating tasks that are currently done manually, freeing up time for more valuable human tasks like building relationships and brainstorming ideas. The rise of no-code tools such as Zapier has made it easier to learn automation, with many users finding it accessible even if they don't consider themselves "tech-savvy". By acquiring automation skills, individuals can pitch themselves as automators, showcasing their ability to improve efficiency and productivity in a company, making them more valuable job candidates.

Spotify has made its API available, allowing for measurable audio features to be included in each track's database. These features include acousticness, danceability, energy, instrumentalness, liveness, loudness, speechiness, and valence. Using these elements, it is possible to create a Zap that builds the perfect work playlist by automatically adding songs from specific playlists based on predefined conditions. The Zap can be customized to filter out certain qualities of music, such as "liveness" or "speechiness", and add songs with high-energy, danceable, happy tracks. By setting up this Zap, users can create a personalized playlist that suits their preferences and boosts productivity during work hours.