iPad Apps for the Working Mom

I used to be skeptical about the need for an iPad.  Afterall, in a lot of ways an iPhone is like a miniature iPad only you can make phone calls and send text messages, too…and, well, I have the iPhone.

However, I think for a lot of working women, having an iPad is a great way to achieve work life balance.  I’m going to share with you my favorite iPad apps and why you should consider adding them yourself.

1. Salesforce Chatter.  If your company uses Saleforce.com as its CRM, then the Chatter app is a must-have on your iPad.  You’ll stay connected with your company and colleagues and be able to share updates on the go whether you’re on site with a client or waiting in the carpool line.  FREE
2. EasySign.  EchoSign for electronic signatures is a favorite of mine.  EasySign provides a similar solution for your iPad.  If your job requires you to sign a lot of documents, contracts, approvals, you name it…EasySign let’s you open up the document right within the app, sign it, and send it.  It also let’s you open up a document on your iPad to have signed by someone when you’re in person.  Don’t let not being near a scanner or fax machine get in the way of moving your business forward again.  App is FREE and then it’s pay per document.
3. Hanging with Friends.  If you like the popular app Words with Friends, you’re likely to enjoy this game by the same developers.  If Words with Friends is similar to Scrabble, Hanging with Friends is similar to the old-fashioned favorite Hang Man.  I say old-fashioned because I’m pretty sure the last time I played Hang Man was in the 1980’s with a notepad and a pen sitting next to my opponent.  Now you can play Hang Man with friends no matter where they are in the world…you can even play with strangers if you so choose.  This won’t help you get any work done, but it’s a great way to take a break from the grind.  FREE or $1.99 for the ad-free version.
4. CNN.  Stay on top the headlines and current events with this visually appealing app from CNN News.  Choose from three different views: images presented in a grid with headlines overlayed, a list of headlines by topic, or as a slideshow using your fingertips to swipe to browse.  FREE.
5. Notes.  This app comes standard with the iPad and I use it for everything.  I use it to brainstorm blog post ideas.  I use it keep a running list of leads when I’m out and about.  And I use it create a shopping list that I can then send to my husband via email if it turns out he’s the one heading out to the grocery store (9 times out of time, he’s the one doing the grocery shopping).  FREE.

I also love using my iPad to share Powerpoint decks with prospective clients and my team when we’re having a one on one at a coffee shop or on the client site.  I can swipe through each slide, making it a great portable presentation tool.

What about you?  What are your favorite iPad apps?