In today’s fast-paced business world, having the right tools can make all the difference. This article presents a curated selection of top business tools, backed by insights from industry experts. From productivity boosters to financial management solutions, these tools are designed to help businesses thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
- ChatGPT Amplifies Ideas for Time-Starved Achievers
- Automation Tools Connect Digital Ecosystems
- KEYS Fosters Deep Reflection and Awareness
- Monday.com Streamlines Workday Management
- Notion Organizes Information and Builds Systems
- NotebookLM Accelerates Research and Understanding
- SEMrush Provides Comprehensive SEO Insights
- Finmap Offers Clear Financial Control
- Claude Assists with Coherent Strategy Development
- Miro Enhances Visual Collaboration and Planning
- Trello Simplifies Project Management Visually
- Google Analytics Guides Data-Driven Decisions
- ClickUp Centralizes Work Processes Flexibly
- SEO and Social Listening Reveal Market Insights
- Loom Facilitates Asynchronous Video Communication
- Google Search Console Uncovers SEO Opportunities
- QuickBooks Adapts to Various Business Needs
- Boomerang for Gmail Enhances Email Management
ChatGPT Amplifies Ideas for Time-Starved Achievers
The #1 tool I recommend to all my clients — whether they’re building their career or launching a business — is ChatGPT.
Not because it replaces their ideas, but because it amplifies them.
Most of the ambitious women I coach are multi-passionate, high-achieving, and time-starved. They’re juggling 9-to-5s, side hustles, families, and dreams that feel too big for their calendar. What they need isn’t more hustle — it’s smarter leverage.
That’s where ChatGPT becomes a game-changer.
I teach my clients to use it like a co-strategist:
- Writing resumes? It helps them articulate impact.
- Launching a business? It supports messaging, offer clarity, and even content plans.
- Prepping for interviews or speaking engagements? It’s a rehearsal partner.
- Need a time-blocked schedule based on your capacity? Done in 10 seconds.
It’s not about copying or outsourcing your voice — it’s about creating white space to think, build, and execute faster with fewer mental bottlenecks.
Here’s what I always say:
“You don’t need to know everything. You just need to know how to think like a CEO and ask better questions.”
That’s how I teach my clients to use AI — to spark strategy, not shortcuts. Once they learn how to guide the tool with clear inputs, it becomes a multiplier for their growth, creativity, and confidence.
In a world where information is endless and time is limited, tools that simplify execution are essential. ChatGPT is one of the few that can meet you at any level — whether you’re revising a cover letter or mapping out a 90-day business sprint.
The clients who adopt it early? They gain speed, clarity, and momentum.
The ones who resist it? They stay stuck in overwhelm trying to do everything from scratch.
So yes, I absolutely recommend ChatGPT. Not as a magic wand — but as a strategic partner for women who are building the next version of their life and work with intention.
Janae Nicole
Career Strategist, Business Coach & Talent Acquisition Leader, JNL Career Services & CorpreneuX
Automation Tools Connect Digital Ecosystems
Right now, the tools I recommend to almost every client are Zapier and Make, not just because they’re cool tech, but because they’re automation tools that help your business breathe. These platforms help connect all the little pieces of your digital ecosystem, including forms, emails, CRMs, and spreadsheets, and automate tasks that usually take up your time or fall through the cracks. Imagine this: a new lead signs up on your site, gets instantly tagged in your email list, receives a welcome sequence, and gets booked for a call — all without you lifting a finger. That’s the magic.
Many small businesses and solopreneurs are burnt out because their systems are duct-taped together. They’re spending hours each week on tasks that could be automated in a few clicks. That adds up. I love Zapier and Make because they not only save time but they also help you build a business that runs smoothly in the background, so you can focus on what truly matters to your business. And to me, that’s the definition of a sustainable strategy.
Kristine Gonzalez
Lead Strategist, Kristine Gonzalez
KEYS Fosters Deep Reflection and Awareness
One tool I often recommend to clients — even for those who already have a high level of self-awareness — is “KEYS to Your Relationships” by Peter Shogun Trnka. It offers something different from traditional coaching tools — and that difference is often what makes it impactful. KEYS combines reflective questions with intuitive visuals, somatic awareness, and written guidance. It consists of a 500-page book and a deck of 90 cards, each centered around a specific theme, key question, and related exercise. What I find most valuable is how it supports people in applying what they understand about themselves in real situations — not just knowing what’s happening, but gradually responding in a new, more conscious way.
Many of the leaders and professionals I work with can name their patterns or relational challenges clearly. But when they try to shift those patterns — especially under pressure — they often find themselves repeating the same responses. KEYS creates space to pause and go deeper — not by offering solutions, but by asking the right questions and inviting reflection that includes the body, not just the mind.
Rather than promoting techniques or solutions, KEYS encourages a slower kind of reflection — one that makes room for both emotional insight and somatic awareness. It can be used flexibly, whether as part of a regular personal practice or in moments when deeper clarity is needed. Its structure invites people to pause, engage with meaningful questions, and explore their internal landscape without pressure. Over time, this can support greater emotional regulation, clearer communication, and a stronger sense of alignment in how they relate to others — professionally and personally.
In a world full of tools that push for faster results and constant improvement, KEYS offers something rarer — a quiet space to return to yourself. It doesn’t tell you what to fix. It helps you listen more deeply, and lead from that place.
Aneta Vančova
Psychologist/Coach/Trainer, ADVANCA
Monday.com Streamlines Workday Management
One tool I always recommend to my clients is Monday.com. It’s not just a productivity tool — it’s where my entire workday lives. From scheduled meetings and daily tasks to team workflows and client deliverables, everything runs more smoothly with it. What sets it apart for me is the flexibility and integration. You can connect it with tools like Google Drive, Slack, and Gmail, which makes managing different platforms seamless. Plus, it’s more than just project management — you can build forms for lead capture, store databases, and even track progress visually through dashboards and pie charts. It has become essential to how I work and how I help my clients stay organized and efficient.
Carl Pantaleon
SEO Consultant, My Portal Marketing Inc
Notion Organizes Information and Builds Systems
I recommend Notion to almost everyone. Notion is like a comprehensive notebook that can organize pages effectively and, in fact, it can do much more. You can create Kanban boards, build databases, and organize work within those databases. It’s a tool that essentially allows you to build systems without needing to implement any complex software.
Let me provide a seemingly simple example. One of the ways we use Notion is to store internal documentation. We keep all our documents in Notion, and if, for instance, new employees have certain questions, they can find all the documentation about our work processes there.
Moreover, we store everyday information as well, such as, “How to clean the coffee machine?” or, “How to shut off all the electricity?” If, for example, the office closes in August, we have instructions on, “How to turn off all the electricity in the office except for refrigerators and freezers?” This is particularly important because we once had an incident where our freezer defrosted.
It’s an extremely affordable tool and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated tools available. You can even build a CRM system with it. You can accomplish nearly anything. It’s a truly exceptional tool, and I highly recommend Notion.
Jeff Tilley
Founder & CEO, Muncly
NotebookLM Accelerates Research and Understanding
I’d highly recommend Google NotebookLM; I love it. NotebookLM is a potent research tool that elevates and streamlines our work. We’ve made it a daily practice to record all meetings, both internal and external, and maintain transcripts of client interviews. With NotebookLM, you’re able to upload those meeting transcripts, YouTube videos, Excel sheets, etc. into one database that can quickly output a two-person podcast that would fool anyone into thinking the conversation was led by humans.
We’ve been able to cut our research time down considerably, understand complex situations, and form language around ideas we’re workshopping. Our clients can understand their own industry’s landscape better by merging their own internal information with an AI model that understands trends in real-time, allowing them to make better market decisions.
Andrew Stadelberger
Founder, Player/Coach
SEMrush Provides Comprehensive SEO Insights
One tool I always recommend to all my clients is SEMrush — and for good reason. It’s one of the most comprehensive all-in-one SEO platforms available, and it covers everything from keyword research to competitor analysis, backlink audits, content optimization, and even social media tracking.
Here’s why I personally find SEMrush incredibly valuable:
Keyword Research: You can uncover profitable keywords with high search volume and low competition — perfect for planning blog content or product pages.
Competitor Analysis: SEMrush lets you see exactly what your competitors are ranking for and where they’re getting their backlinks, giving you an edge in your niche.
Site Audit Tools: It regularly scans your website for technical SEO issues, broken links, and speed problems — so you can fix them before they hurt your rankings.
Backlink Tracking: You can monitor both new and lost backlinks, assess link quality, and even find outreach opportunities.
Content Optimization: Its SEO Writing Assistant helps ensure your content is optimized for both users and search engines.
Overall, SEMrush isn’t just a tool — it’s like having a full SEO team at your fingertips. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marketer, it gives you the data and insights needed to make smart decisions that actually move the needle.
Saif Rehman
Digital Marketing, Tower 25
Finmap Offers Clear Financial Control
One tool I always recommend is Finmap. It’s a service that allows small businesses to clearly see their cash flow, control finances, and make decisions based on real data rather than intuition.
We pay a lot of attention to analytics, metric tracking, and building a transparent management system. Finmap allowed us to quickly structure our finances without the need for complex ERP systems.
We use it as a core tool for evaluating project profitability, budgeting, and building our cash flow.
For any entrepreneur, especially in the early stages, it’s a must-have. If you don’t see your finances, you’re not in control of your business. Finmap makes that control simple and clear.
Alexandr Korshykov
Founder & CEO, DreamX
Claude Assists with Coherent Strategy Development
I recommend Claude to almost every client, and it still surprises me how few people have actually tried it. Everyone seems to default to ChatGPT and they either love it or hate it, but rarely anything in between. Meanwhile, Claude is quietly doing incredible work that most marketers haven’t discovered yet.
What makes Claude valuable is how it actually follows instructions without you having to wrestle with it. I use it with clients for ideation sessions where we’ll throw in a bunch of scattered thoughts and Claude helps structure them into coherent strategies. It’s brilliant for analyzing competitor websites, reviewing content drafts, and suggesting improvements that actually make sense rather than generic AI fluff.
One client was struggling to organize years of blog content into topic clusters. We fed everything into Claude and it mapped out a logical content architecture in about 20 minutes. That would have taken days manually. Another uses it to outline complex technical articles, turning their expertise into readable content without losing the nuance.
The real value isn’t in replacing human thinking but in having a ridiculously capable assistant that understands what you’re trying to do. While everyone’s debating whether AI will take their jobs, I’m watching clients use Claude to finally tackle projects they’ve been putting off for months. It’s particularly great for those tedious but important tasks like data analysis and content audits that usually get pushed to the back burner.
Jeremy Rodgers
Founder, Contentifai
Miro Enhances Visual Collaboration and Planning
Miro is a visual workspace built for collaboration and innovation, and I recommend it to every client, especially those working across remote or hybrid teams.
Miro has completely changed the way I map out customer journeys and email automation flows. It allows you to present a full visual of the experience from start to finish, making it easy to connect touchpoints and see the journey through the eyes of the user. This is incredibly helpful for leadership teams who need the high-level view, as well as marketers and developers working through the logic and execution.
Plus, the ability to comment, brainstorm, and plan in real time means everyone stays aligned without endless email threads or missed context.
Danielle Cambio
Marketing Technology Manager, GO Agency
Trello Simplifies Project Management Visually
The one tool I always recommend to clients, without hesitation, is Trello. It’s a simple, visual project management tool that’s incredibly powerful, especially for small businesses. Trello operates on a Kanban system, which is essentially a digital whiteboard with lists and cards. You can create different columns for stages of a project, like “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done,” and then move tasks as cards from one list to another. It’s an intuitive, drag-and-drop system that requires almost no technical expertise to get started.
What I find so valuable about it is its flexibility. You can use it to manage anything — from a marketing campaign to a content calendar or even a client onboarding process. It gives you a clear, visual overview of all your projects and makes it easy to see who’s responsible for what and when something is due. This transparency and simplicity help teams stay organized and on the same page, which ultimately boosts productivity. There’s a generous free version, so it’s a great way to start getting your team organized without having to make a big financial commitment.
David Abraham
CEO, Bluesoft Design
Google Analytics Guides Data-Driven Decisions
Google Analytics is the one tool I push for every client. Why? Because running a website without it is like driving blindfolded; you’re guessing where visitors come from, which pages work, or why they vanish. It shows you actual numbers with smart work: traffic sources, sticky pages, drop-off spots.
See most visitors coming from Instagram? Double down there. A product page gets traffic but no sales? Fix the call-to-action or loading time — real help, nothing extra.
It works for any size: small shops see basic traffic, big teams track visitor paths.
It connects to Google Ads and CRM tools.
It shows where your money and minutes actually go.
It kills guesswork and proves what marketing moves work.
If you spend time or money online, this tool tells you what’s waste and what’s gold. Stop assuming. Let numbers guide you.
Mohit Ramani
CEO & CTO, Empyreal Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
ClickUp Centralizes Work Processes Flexibly
One tool I always suggest using is ClickUp. While many people use it as a project management tool, I always tell my clients to think of ClickUp as a centralized place where any work can go, such as tasks, docs, timelines, and discussions, all in one place. The true magic of ClickUp is that it can take on the structure of any team or group of people and any process. You may be managing a creative campaign, tracking client deliverables, or managing your internal operations. ClickUp allows you to customize what you see and how you use it based on your needs.
Another reason ClickUp is super valuable is its flexibility. Not only are there many views — you can visualize your work in lists, boards, calendars, and Gantt charts — but the teams have the option to view the work however it makes sense to them. Not only can you break tasks into sub-tasks, you can assign deadlines, and even document dependencies so things don’t fall through the cracks. Also, with real-time updates, everyone can be on the same page working towards the same tasks, so decreased miscommunication and lost momentum.
Aside from task management, ClickUp also integrates with a variety of tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams to keep everything interconnected. I’ve seen clients with dispersed communication channels and systems reduce friction to a crawl by bringing all of their steps and workflows into one platform. Being able to do this and stay organized frees up teams to do collaborative work. Keeping every piece of detail organized in one location allows the team to work as they intended rather than managing multiple tools.
In a nutshell, ClickUp doesn’t just track tasks; it consolidates and makes the whole work process more manageable, and proactively helps teams think about being aligned as a team, managing deadlines, and logging the hours needed to move work from ideation to fruition.
Gianluca Ferruggia
General Manager, DesignRush
SEO and Social Listening Reveal Market Insights
While talking to our customers, I often find myself in conversations with my clients about how they want to grow their businesses and asking me how we are doing it, particularly in finding new customer segments. One resource I consistently recommend is a combination of SEO analytics and social listening platforms.
SEO analytic tools help you understand what your target audience is searching for: what kind of symptoms they have, how many want to solve this specific problem, and how intense the competition is. This helps a lot in clarifying how to pitch your company effectively to your prospects.
Yet, my favorite tool I recommend is social listening tools, as they provide transparency of the entire internet. These apps scan the web, such as Reddit forums, social media posts, or blog articles, and directly alert you when relevant keywords or topics are mentioned. It is a great way to identify where potential customers are already talking about the problems you solve. You can then jump into those conversations and add value by sharing your perspective or solution. It’s a simple but powerful way to build trust, generate leads, and stay connected to your market in real time.
Frederic S.
Founder, PayrollRabbit
Loom Facilitates Asynchronous Video Communication
One tool that I always recommend is Loom because it allows for rapid, asynchronous video communication that is personalized and cuts back on unnecessary meetings. It works really well in remote teams or client relationships where visual explanations save time, increase clarity, and create stronger bonds.
George Fironov
Co-Founder & CEO, Talmatic
Google Search Console Uncovers SEO Opportunities
When I hear people saying they don’t have Google Search Console installed, I think it’s madness. It’s not just useful for monitoring your organic visibility, clicks, and other metrics; there’s so much more to it. It’s the best place for digging into real keyword data. There are tons of hidden opportunities in your performance metrics.
It’s also the ultimate tool for troubleshooting. Want to see how well your site is being indexed by Google? Want to see what’s not being indexed and why? You need Search Console. It’s also the only place that will tell you if you have a manual penalty or not. Every site should always have this installed.
Martin Hayman
Co-Founder, RankCaddy
QuickBooks Adapts to Various Business Needs
One tool I always recommend to my clients is QuickBooks because of its flexibility and ease of use across different types of businesses. From my experience managing bookkeeping for international clients, QuickBooks offers features that can be tailored to fit various business models, whether it’s a small startup, an e-commerce store, or a service-based company. I find it valuable because it simplifies essential tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll, while also providing powerful reporting tools that help businesses understand their financial health.
For example, service-based businesses benefit from its project tracking and time management features, while product-based businesses can take advantage of inventory tracking. QuickBooks also integrates smoothly with many other platforms, making it convenient for businesses that rely on multiple tools. Its adaptability and accuracy make it an essential resource for keeping financial records organized and ensuring businesses make informed decisions based on real data.
Kharla Denura
Freelancer, Kharla Denura
Boomerang for Gmail Enhances Email Management
I will forever tout the benefits of Boomerang for Gmail. I’ve been a user for over 6 years now, and while they have pretty regularly made thoughtful additions to their features, the original ones — “schedule send” and “boomerang emails” — are still my favorites.
Even though Gmail now has a native email scheduler, it can’t compete with the usability of Boomerang’s, PLUS it corresponds with the Boomerang feature — so you can delay the email and, in the same action, make sure you get pinged if that email isn’t responded to within X days. Being an HR team of one at an SMB, I need to streamline where I can and make sure nothing falls through the cracks. That visual of an unanswered email highlighted in my inbox is so helpful (and helps maintain a clean inbox appearance!); I can’t imagine managing all my spinning plates without it.
The other tool I love in Boomerang is the scheduling feature. Again, there’s no shortage of scheduling tools, but the “share free/busy” feature is great because:
1. When scheduling interviews with candidates, I prefer to do so within my Applicant Tracking System.
2. So many vendors have their own scheduling tool, and I prefer meeting invites to come from the vendors themselves.
So, to be able to say, “Here’s a live view of my availability,” eliminates a lot of back and forth. Boomerang for Gmail packs a big punch; it’s saved me incredible amounts of time and keeps my inbox looking clean and my sanity intact.
Ali Aguilar
HR Manager, Envisionit
