Hi!

I have read hundreds of threads on this board and have found several of those dealing with how a MS plans his work. While it is true that old fashion paperwork, a pen, some highliters and a notepad are still important tools in our job (I still use them), there are quite a few tech tips and tools that I've been working with that make me more efficient while planning and shopping.

Here you go:

Evernote.
Evernote is one of those "on thee cloud" notepads - which means that anything you type on any of your touchpoints (smartphone, tablet, home PC, LapTop) gets synchronized real time to the rest of your devices. You can have as many notes as you wish, and you can edit them on the road if you have an iOS or Android phone.I use this program to store ALL my MSC's login information and notes, so that I know who to call, what has happened with each of them, and ultimatelly log into my accounts / job boards. Also, I am able to open a note for any particular shop and write some notes there for a survey or future use.
In fact, with Evernote I write those short 1 paragraph application responses to "Tell us about your most recent mystery shopping experience", or "Why are you qualified for this job".
Evernote saves me HOURS.

Google Drive (It could be Dropbox as well)
Once again, a cloud App. This one allows me to save any file into folders. That includes creating a folder for upcoming projects, shops already delivered, and obviously within each, you may add your project guidelines in PDF format, your sample survey form, any pictures taken, etcetera.
Since Google Drive is on the cloud, it also get synchronized throghout all your gadgets, so if you add a photo from your smartphone, when you get home, it will be on your PC.
Drive allows for faster reports, faster pre-shop briefings, and a paperless office (think of saving on printing / file folders, ink and paper)

Open Office
Yes, I use open source and not Microsoft Office. For starters, its free while it provides ALL needed functionality as MS Office, plus it allows you to save your documents and spreadsheets as PDF. And this is needed for reports (spell checking) and keeping up with your assignments and their status (with a nice spreadheet)

Ah, the project Spreadsheet!
Having a well planned spreadsheets helps you keep track of your past, current, and future shops. It also allows you to sort your projects by zone / route, MSC, status (assigned, accepted, shopped, reported, paid, etc.) so you can know where you stand on each project and focus on what you need to. Hey, if you need a copy of my spreadsheet, PM me and I'll send it over. I am starting to work on making this speadsheet include just more information so that I can quantify mileage costs and determine how profitable my day way. I also want to add a referenced tab with MSC information and possibly another one with particular shops so that it is easy to find out more about each with just a couple of clics. You know... I want to be able to quickly figure out how long since I did XYZ shop or who is the scheduler of such MSC and project...

Roboforms
Just Google it. Roboforms keeps a note of all your passwords. Don't rely on your memory for 120 different passwords. One login and password allows you to log in to any MSC or site quickly and effortlessly. It also syncs throughout your gadgets.

I guess there might be a need discussion on gadget stypes and OSs, so if I don't find it I'll create one and fill my insights.

Hey, let me know what other tools you use.

Cheers!

Carlos.

All great suggestions. Perhaps this post would be of more use to new shoppers if it were moved to be attached to the "sticky" thread above concerning useful gadgets, etc.

It would be great to have it as sticky, it could help some people with their jobs. I have no clue however as to who would make that decision and actually make it sticky...

C

cabazan,
All you have to do is to open the appropriate "sticky" topic, above. and post to it.

Gotcha Walesmaven. Thx for the tip.

C