Around the Corner - planning your next celebration

The next celebration is always right around the corner - an informal soiree, a casual dinner party of close friends, a happy hour gathering, or a grand affair for 100s of friends. The key to making that date around the corner a success is proper planning, focus, and ability to stay organized and manage all the details. I recently found a web tool that can allow you to track your event planning in a collaborative environment.

In particular, I've been challenged by my addiction to Outlook which I have in my "regular" job to manage contacts, emails, events, tasks and colleague collaboration. In contrast, while at home - I utilize my yahoo calendar, yahoo address book and often the good 'ol pad of scratch paper near the kitchen phone to jot down to do lists, reminders, and the lot. So for me the missing piece for sure was the digitally equipped task and to do list. I may have found my solution in a new software release by 37signals -- Highrise. This web-based software is a scaleable solution for an online contact manager and simple CRM. Now allowing me to keep track of all those vendors (the caterer, the equipment rental, entertainers & others), what was said, and what to do next. A variety of pricing schedules are available and even a completely FREE option which can be upgraded as your needs change and business grows. Other features include: the ability to enter and review notes from calls, meetings, emails, conversations, etc. in a basic CRM; Set up email and mobile phone reminders to get things done; and customize the page with my logo/brand colors.

It has the feel of a big business tool for the small business and I believe it's a great resource for professional as well as the "at-home" party planner. I'll be managing the planning tasks for the next big event on Highrise as well as the business of keeping our home lives in order. Watchout Martha...