How to record a phone call

Worried about that phone call with a staff member or client? Need to record your audio training session so it can be replayed at a later date? The reasons for wanting to record a phone call are various. The ways to carry out the recording are equally various.

One simple way for UK residents is to use Record Your Call.  After registering on the site, to record a call you dial an 0871 number then enter the number of the person you want to speak to. To replay the call you dial another 0871 number.   You can sign up for an incoming 0871 number which can record all calls.

The disadvantage is the cost of the 0871 number which is a premium line (approx 10p/min from a land line, mobiles will be higher).  However, for that one off call this methods is quick, easy and requires no technical knowledge or equipment.

Lillilooloo.com Information and community for consultants

Lilliloo is an interesting new website designed for consultants. It works as a community as well as a place to get downloads of resources and templates.

I'm not convinced about the name of the site but it is memorable!

Real time chat translator; babelwith.me

Think MSN across languages..

This systems which is in Alpha (very early stages of release) looks like an instant messaging system. I was unable to test it with many languages as I would then need people speaking those language to have an online conversation with me! However, it seems to manage the translation as you type.

I am thinking this application could be excellent for communication in health care settings where the patient / carer may not speak good English. Using a system like this would enable the health care professional to communicate with the patient, even while sitting face to face in a consultation. If anyone tests it out in this setting do let me know. Currently translators are used which often means appointments are delayed and this is also an expensive process. While this may not replace all of that, this system could go a long way to helping those who just need a bit of language help in the communication.

If you are so inclined (probably not for health care situations) you can share the conversation on Twitter or Facebook very easily using their tools.

Turn process maps into online wizards: gStepOne

If you have a set of procedures that you would like to take someone through, online, then this application by gStepone http://www.gStepOne.com helps you do this. You are taken through the steps of linking any online information, like documents, videos, photos, form etc in a way that takes someone step by step through the process. For example, this could be for ordering a product, doing an expense claim, booking a meeting.

I'm always on the lookout for innovative ways to change how we do business and especially ways that combine know-what with know-how. Imagine if clinical guidelines could be set up using a system like this, where individual patients could have their treatment customised. Of course this would need to be set up on proprietary systems rather than on the Internet. gStepOne - if you're listening there is a market for this.

In the meantime, for non-proprietary procedures and processes this tool can be very useful.

Collaborative projects need collaborative management systems and processes

Most projects don’t fail because of a lack of charts, stats or report. They fail because of a lack of communication. Where the participants are located apart in distance and the conversation about the project are held asynchronously, then there is a high possibility of poor project outcomes unless specific project systems are put in place.

Collaborative project management (CPM) is a methodology that can be applied in these circumstances. It requires a different way of working and the use of project management (PM) tools that are familiar yet used in different ways. To overcome the distance / time issue the majority of CPM methodologies use online systems to support the project team. These range from a small use to cover some gaps through to completely managing the project using sophisticated yet simple to use online systems. To continue to run collaborative type projects without using CPM techniques will likely mean reduced productivity, less documentation of progress, overuse of emails and lost time due to a higher number of face-to-face meetings.

I've listed below a few of the online systems that may be helpful in co-ordinating collaorative projects.


http://www.veoproject.com/home.aspx full online system for projects with templates, gantt charts, roles, tasks etc.

http://www.manymoon.com/auth/login more simplified online project management that combines with Google documents

www.huddle.net good for virtual team working though note specifically project management related

http://www.workflowmax.com/features/jobtracking.html a bit different to project management though useful if you have a number of people on the same project and need to keep track of inputs and outputs

http://www.basecamphq.com/ simple to use and one of the earliest online systems

http://www.teamdirection.com/ lots of features and an MS Project add-in which is useful. Also syncs with Sharepoint. Not specifically online but can support CPM

http://www.trackeroffice.com/tracker_project.html is an Outlook import that integrates with existing software and helps personal as well as group project productivity. Can also be provided on a web basis

http://www.kalmstrom.com/products/Outlook/TimeCard/ an Outlook import that can monitor time spent on a project (productivity / reporting rather than project management)

If you want to use a wiki then there is a wiki on how to do this! http://projectmanagementdemo.pbwiki.com/ Although this can be customised to suit your purposes it feels a bit clunky when compared to the tools available

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Collaborate online for productive project management

There are many online collaboration tools. One I have found that is specifically for managing projects is www.veoproject.com

The system provides all the usual collaboration tools though what I specifically like is the emphasis on project planning. Some of the features look a bit like Microsoft Project in the type of planning that is available. The gantt type pictures are particularly excellent. I think this would be good for large and complex projects involving multiple individuals and organisations.

Online chart builder; create picture or embed into website

One of the key activites for an improvement leader is displaying data graphically through the use of charts. While most of us are comfortable using the regular software packages like Microsoft and in some cases more sophisticated stats packages, sometimes we need something a little different.

I've been looking for ways to embed charts into my website - or blogs. Of course these can be embedded as pictures though this is less flexible. Also, how do I create a chart when I am using my netbook with web access and no software on it?

There is an online charts builder at http://charts.hohli.com. It takes a little while to wrap your head round it, but if you follow the instructiosn it is quick, easy and very flexible. I'll be using it as a way to create embeddable charts and as an alternative to PC based software.

Online collaboration with ease using Scribblar

If you need a place where a group of you can get together in a virtual room and share conversations, text and audio, place stuff for comments, use a whiteboard together etc. then Scribblar may be for you.

There are many of these types of systems available. You can create your own room and use it for free. So if you'd like to test out the possibilities from working int his way then this could be helpful. What I like was the PRO edition which enables you to build this software into your existing website including branding it to suit your own needs. Sounds like a quick, efficient and cost-effective way to get up and running with online collaboration without spending time and money on in-house solutions.

Test it out here: http://www.scribblar.com/

Hold web meetings for free

There are some good systems available for holding online meetings. However, many of these have a significant cost and if you're still in that phase of testing out whether these processes will be useful for you why pay money to test? There are some excellent freebie systems available with some of them having more features and flexibility that the pay-for versions.

I like to use http://www.dimdim.com/. Why? Apart from the fact it is free it one of the key factors for me is that the attendees do not have any software to download. You just set up the session and they log in and we're sharing and collaborating. Many organisations limit the downloading of software so this is a quick and easy way to test how the technology can work without stressing the IT department.

There are other freebie systems available so do some searches if you're looking for alternative to the pay-for options.

Huddle.net for virtual team and project working

Virtual consultancy, virtual team and project working have all been priorities for me and my company (see our website for more details on virtual working and why... our environmental policy http://www.sfassociates.biz/)

Always on the look out for secure, safe and easy to use systems to support especially team and project working, I have found http://my.huddle.net/ to be far better than other (more-expensive) systems. It is encrypted (useful when working with government agencies), incredibly easy to use and has many features all designed to reduce your email in basket! I like the way you can choose to get updates by RSS feeds, you can add comments to documents (and then decide who needs to be notified about the comment) and the front overview for each workspace gives you an instant update about who is doing what.

Software tools like this really enable leaders, of all sorts, especially project improvement leaders, to be efficient, effective and make productive use of their time.

I wonder now how any project, virtual or not, gets on without it.