Strategically Building Your Information Pipeline

By Christy Lamagna CMP, CMM, CTSM

It took a lot of convincing, but after doing the research, I was finally forced to acknowledge that multi-tasking really does decrease productivity. That tidbit of discouraging news left me looking for a solution as I still have more things to do than time to do them. Thus, my quest to find a working and affordable cloning machine began. I am disappointed to report that I have had no luck thus far. Not one to admit defeat, I went to ‘Plan B’ and found an abundance of useful tools online that save me time, put money in my pocket and best of all, make me look a lot smarter than I actually am.

Now I’m ‘magically’ mapping the most efficient routes for site visits, know what time sunset is when planning any evening reception within a moment of someone asking, am up to date on the latest industry trends and area hot spots, can speak to all kinds of social media tools and services to boost one’s digital footprint and can speak with authority on what new technology is worth using for programs.

All this and I’m saving time. Now let’s get to the money saving. I’ve found sites that pay me to shop (what’s not to love?) that find me discounts on both business and leisure travel, and that offer free tools to boost my social media that I would have otherwise, unwittingly paid for.

Speaking of money, I found a great currency converter that allows me to see what kind of deal I may or may not be getting when traveling abroad or doing multiple currency budgets, allowing me to more accurately track and report my final spend. While I’m dabbling in all things international, I use my metrics conversion site to turn feet into meters and gallons into liters, so no chance of any foolish mistakes when estimating ballroom capacity or ordering coffee.

Talk of bedbugs has subsided but my loathing of those insidious buggers has not, so the bedbug registry is a site I visit. Couple that with sites that tell me where the most happening places to eat, drink and be seen are, and my clients have a home run of information on their hands. I’m all about sharing the love so I’ve compiled a list of the sites my team and I have researched and found most useful, in hopes of adding time, money and relevant information to your world.

My guess is you have some trusted sites of your own. Why not share your most used and useful sites with the rest of us? Tweet them to: @SMEChristy or email them to me at: Christy.lamagna@strategic.events and I’ll add the best ones to our running list of ‘must visit’ sites. And if anyone has a lead on that cloning machine, I’m ready to write a check…..