danwtmoon

In southern England this morning at least there is some fairly heavy
snowfall. Based on recent experience this will mean many businesses
seeing staff working from home and meetings cancelled. This is often
equated to lost productivity.

I think different.

Just because you're not in the office doesn't mean your not able to be
productive. Here's a quick list of a few tools that may be very
helpful in keeping your appointments and goals for today on track.

Presentation - If you were due to deliver a presentation today but
cannot physically get there take a look at one of the following for
giving the presentation remotely:

Present.io - drop.io has dead simple rich web-presentation
functionality. no registration, no downloads, no installs. You can
upload your presentation files (documents, pictures, video, audio, and
more) and be giving your demo or walkthrough in seconds. With a free
conference call line and rich chat functionality, you have just what
you need

http://present.io

Google Docs - Viewing a presentation together is a breeze, as anyone
joined in a presentation can automatically follow along with the
presenter.

http://docs.google.com

Collaboratively finalising an asset such as a design graphic or
document proposal

Box.net - Turn any folder of content into a shared online workspace
and invite others to view, edit, or add their own files. Exchange
feedback using the commenting and discussion features. Create
wiki-style web documents to share meeting notes, ideas, and manage
projects. Keep workflow organized by assigning tasks to approve,
review or update files

http://www.box.net/strawberryway

Drop.io - Use drop.io to privately share your files and collaborate in
real time by web, email, phone, mobile, and more. Create each drop in
two clicks and share what you want, how you want, with whom you want.

http://drop.io

Google Docs - Coworkers can share the same online copy of each doc,
spreadsheet or presentation. All revisions are saved and recoverable.

http://docs.google.com

Cummunication - need to stay in touch but your colleagues aren't at
their desk phones?

Skype - Any size of company can use Skype to change the way they
communicate, collaborate and compete. Real-time communication tools
allow your business to work better, smarter and more efficiently.
Skype is a global solution that's easy to implement and manage all
your communication needs - employees work more productively, customers
can easily reach your company and your business stays ahead of the
game.

http://skype.com

TinyChat - Your webcam & microphone will just work, no fuss.
`Gathering friends for a meeting has never been easier. Enjoy high
quality live audio & video. Try it, you'll like it.

http://tinychat.com

So there you go, a few services which is by no means an exhaustive
list but these are possibly the quickets and easiest to pick up and
run with if you were to only use for today because of the snow.

By doing so there really shouldn't be any lost productivity.

NB I do see the making of snowmen as highly productive and so where
possible please step away from the internet and make one ;)