So this was one of the most interesting questions I heard posed to someone – actually an Interviewer to an Interviewee. Kudos to them, I think I definitely would have been at a loss for words.
To venture an answer, I thought about my favorite apps, the ones I use the most, and the ones that have really added value to my life.
I definitely think that the comparison of people to an App is quite apt….. (Did you see what I did there….lol.)
Like people, there are all different types of Apps out there.:
Those that were created out of a planned environment with a process managed all along the development phase until the long awaited birth happens much to the happiness of the creators.
Those that happened by chance and ended up blowing up into massive successes because it was in the right place at the right time
Those that copy themselves after others, trying to hop on the bandwagon of the latest fad and milking the 5 minutes fame, but last until the next news cycle
And then there are those Apps that add real value to your life. The ones where you go….what did I ever do before you came along?
So in honour of those types of Apps, I thought I would first list those I have personally found to be my most useful, that have added immense value to my life, and then I will select the one that I can honestly say is the best representation of myself.
- Venmo – So you can make share payments with just about anyone for free with this clever app. You can also send requests for payments from practically anyone. Quick and easy to use, this app removes much of the “I forgot my wallet home” scenario, reduces the “you didn’t lend me the money, you gave it to me” and makes group limes/ group vacations so much easier to add up, keep track of and split bills, so there is no more “didn’t I pay last time”
- Youtube – So much more than just an app, you tube is the video version of google. It will teach you anything you want to know, provide all types of entertainment, function as a school aid for my son, with specific review videos, gives me demonstrations of how to recipes.
- Google translate – As someone who works across different countries and nationalities, Google translate helps in a pinch when I can remember a specific word or phrase to communicate in Spanish or French. Also has helped with informal document translation. This has added a competency that has made me comfortable in communicating without perfect fluency.
- Cam Scanner – An amazing app which helps so much with business travel and reconciliation of receipts. Gone are the days of lost receipts!
- Waze/ Google Maps – This amazing tool helps when driving locally. Gone are the days of bad directions. But this App has been most useful for me driving overseas, it has given me the confidence to rent a car and drive anywhere. The level of confidence in myself and independence it has given me is unrivalled. It has also saved me a bunch of taxi fare.
- Microsoft Suite Apps – These Apps allow me not to have to walk around with my laptop. I can do almost anything from my phone.
- Whatsapp – wow! This must be my favorite all time app. Can communicate with anyone internationally without all the expensive overseas telephone charges/ roaming rates. Once there is wifi or data connection, you are set! Also helps during meetings when you need to to just receive or send a message without taking a call.
So if I were an App, I think I would be a Navigation App like Waze or Google Maps. I think the ability to travel and go places is an amazing experience, and especially for women who need that confidence in map direction – without the boyfriend/ husband “navigator” screaming from the next seat. The forgiving “re-calculation” when an exit is missed or a wrong turn is made is an undeniable comfort that “we can do this on our own!”
And as for the Gentlemen users, yes, it also gives confidence since they no longer need the bravado and show and tell of “I know where I’m going” and the refusal to stop and ask for directions.
In short, navigation Apps make us all look good – except to the App of course – who sometimes just quiets down when it realizes you are not following its instructions- and pipes up again when it wins the war of Artificial Intelligence over “dumb human”