Best apps for business

Business needs innovation. Without a doubt, variety of apps available on different platforms--on our mobile or tablet can do a lot for us.

In order to enhance business there are apps that can do editing of your document, takes notes during your meeting, eases video conference with colleagues, converts your torn apart old rugs into digital notes and so on. 

As the era of Smartphone began, we have a whole new range of apps to choose from. The mobile application software—App became popular when the popular Smartphone maker Apple introduced  App Store in 2008 for its flagship product iPhone. Later, other Smartphone companies—Nokia, BlackBerry, Samsung and LG—started to develop their own platform for apps. Today’s big winners of app platform are Apple’s app store, Google’s Android and Microsoft’s Windows.

Some of the apps, when used properly, helps to boost your capability, especially for the business executives. Considering their availability in Nepal, overall popularity in Google play, iTunes, ratings in CNET and Forbes, Nepal Inc takes a look into some of the most business friendly apps in 2013.

1. Kingsoft Office 5.9.1 (Free):

Akin to the office desktop version, Kingsoft Office provides a similar user interface for those who need to take a look into their Microsoft Office documents on the go. This miniature office app is compatible with both the smart phones and tablets. It has functionality of creating, editing, printing and sharing the documents-Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Besides, you can add animations to your PowerPoint slides, and calculation in your Excel files. On top of that, it’s free. Good for Nepalese business business persons.

User rating: 4.6 (Google Play)

2. Dropbox

If you want to sync your files online while working, and need an online saving of your stuff, Dropbox is one among the best options for cloud storage. The storeroom app is available on Android, IOS, BlackBerry and windows, and gives its users 2 GB of free storage. However, you can pile up your storage capacity by referring to your friend to use Dropbox, which earns you 500 MB up to 18 GB. Isn’t it cool?

User rating: 4.6 and it is the Editor’s choice in Google Play

3.  Cisco WebEx Meeting 

  

If you’re a busy business geek, always hopping around and entangled in meetings, then here’s a web meeting app by networking company, Cisco. Besides Skype which offers limited functionality for sharing and files, Cisco WebEx Meeting lets you conduct web conference call right from your smart phone or tablet. During the video conferencing, you can share files in real time. The free version lets you talk to 3 people and 250 MB of storage, while paid version offers you more than you can expect. It is available on Android, iOS and Windows 8.

User rating: 4.1 on Google Play

4.  TripIt—Travel Organizer

For those who travel a lot—almost every week, then Trip It is a must have travel organizer app for you. It organizes your travel itineraries, makes you receive confirmation emails for the services you’ve booked including restaurants, travel agents and meeting halls. This journey arranger app offers you the ability of sharing your itinerary through email, Facebook, and linked In accounts. 

You can download the free version of the app in Nepal.

User rating: 4.4 on Google Play, Editor’s Choice 

5.  Evernote

Evernote organizes notes, to-do lists, photos, voice recordings, voice reminders, and ideas across all your of your devices. Using Evernote in Smartphone allows users to sync files in desktop, tablet or any other electronic gadgets you’re connected with where Evernote is installed. The free edition offers 60 MB of monthly data storage; however, more storage can be purchased. You can download it for free in Nepal.

User rating: 4.7 on Google Play and Editor’s Choice

 

6.  Pocket

While browsing, if you come across an interesting stuff you can’t afford to ignore and want to check it out later, Pocket is here to do the job for you. Just Pocket it, and you’ll get them back on your phone, tablet, and computer. You don’t have to email, bookmark or save those articles, videos, recipes, or beautiful websites anymore. Later, you can read stunning article during boring meetings, see web page while you’re waiting for boss or watch video while relaxing on sofa. You don’t need an internet connection to view the contents. This app is also free for download in Nepal.

User rating: 4.7 (Google Play)

7. Google Drive

Those needing more online storage, the long standing internet partner Google has provided a luggage app-Google Drive. Besides letting you store all files in one place, Google drive can be accessed from other devices, and so as the files. In addition, you can upload files to the drive from any devices—smart phone, tablet or desktop computer. Next, you can also edit the files while on the go. Apart from Drop box, Google drive is one among good choices for cloud storage.

User rating: 4.3 Google Play and Editor’s Choice; 4.5 in iTunes

8. Nepse App

If you’re hungry for real-time data from Nepal Stock Exchange, Nepse App might be the perfect app to download. This made in Nepal app, though is younger than other popular peers, can keep track of your investments, net worth, loss and benefit and buying/selling history. The app is available on Android and iOS to download for free in Nepal. Thanks to the Nepali app developer.  

User rating: 4.6 (Google Play)

9.  Business Plan & Start Startup

For those voracious learners, who is also eager to start their own company, Business Plan & Startup app is the best app to know the tips, learn from the tutorial and a detailed planner for your business. This free app, available on Android, helps you to create a business plan on your own or with business partners. In addition, it provides you a step-by-step guide that includes from planning to start your business. The app is available for free to download in Nepal.

User rating: 4.7 (Google Play)

10. Mobile Doc Scanner

Are you tired of taking notes about something written on paper? Then it is one of the smartest solutions for you. The Scanner app is available on Android platform, is a very useful mobile app that can scan any document—memo, report, photo, meeting minute, hotel bill, travelers cheque-- and converts it into pdf. Similar app in iOS is Scanner pro. This free app is available in Nepal to download.

User rating: 4.4 (Google Play)

Apart from the aforementioned apps, there are hundreds of apps, if properly used, can support you in your business. Further, there are some Nepalese apps as well that are popular, user’s friendly and do the job for you. Hamro Patro (Nepali Calendar), Nepal Load Shedding Schedule, Himal Remit—brought by Himalayan Bank for remittance service, Nepal Share Market, nLocate: Places in Nepal—finds what is around in Nepal are among the popular one. Just try them out. 

Nepal's Top Exports

Nepal's most of the export are raw materials or unfinished goods. There is an enormous possibility of earning more through value addition. 

In 2013, Nepal mostly exported handicrafts and agricultural products. History of Nepal’s trade dates back to as early as Vedic era, where it is portrayed as a place of exporting blankets in Atharvaveda Parisista. Until 1950s, Nepal traded the majority of its goods in India. During the second half of the last century, Nepal’s major exports were carpets, grain, leather goods and items of the Nepalese craftsmanship.  Besides India, the export extended to the EU, the US, Germany and other Asian countries. Notably, Nepal’s current exports are mainly of carpets, clothing, hemp, natural fiber, tea, leather goods, jute and grain, Chyangra Pashmina, coffee, and ginger.  

Nepali products are facing a cutting throat competition from the heavy influx of cheap goods from neighboring countries; however, some of them are surviving the battle. Among the winners-- yarn, hand knotted carpets and textiles are standing against the odds. In addition, some new comer—juice has witnessed a surprisingly soaring sales recently. Next, cardamom and tubes of iron are also in high demand abroad.

Source: Trade and Export Promotion Center, 2013

Based on the volume of sales those products have made overseas in 2013, here is their rightful position in the Top 10 export of Nepal rank. Following are the products that were among the top exports from Nepal in the year 2013.

1. Yarn, Polyester and Cotton Items:  

Yarns, a spun thread of cotton and polyester used for weaving and sewing are at the peak of Nepal's exportable goods. These knitting fibers, including a portion of handlooms stayed at the top position for the last three consecutive years, exported worth of 5.8 billion rupees in the fiscal year 2012/13. Although the amount slid by almost a tenth from 6.3 billion rupees a year ago, the fiber business is still in the high demand abroad. Therefore, it is at number one position.

2.  Hand Knotted Woolen Carpet:

Another masterpiece of Nepal's traditional craftsmanship, Woolen Carpet has remained stable in second position for the last three years. In 2012, the carpet export witnessed an an increase of a quarter, to 6 billion Nepali Rupees. Even so, this year, the demand slipped by 6% in the current financial year. Nevertheless, when considered the export volume, the woolen carpet holds the second rank.

3. Textiles:

Last year, the textile export got nearly doubled to Rs. 5.2 billion of export from the previous year. It saw a slight rise of 3% to Rs. 5.34 billion in 2012/13. The textiles, in the form of knitwear, scarf, mufflers, shawls and veils, on the basis of their export volume, grabbed the third position. 

4.  Cardamom:

One of the Nepal's flavoring spices, Cardamom was a big winner in 2011/12 with a soaring increase of 71% from the previous year to 3.4 billion rupees of export volume. Later, with a 9% growth, the business increased to 3.8 billion rupees in the current year 2012/13. The biggest winner from the previous year ranks the 4th position.

5.  Ready-made Garments:

A ready made woolen wear
Photo: Kishor Subba, Meyangbo Carpet

Ready-made garments, which was one of the biggest export items in the yesteryears. In 2010/11, the clothing business was on the third rank with total export of 4.84 billion Rupees. Nevertheless, the sales followed a continuing downturn-by a small amount, and the position also slipped to 4th in 2012. Despite the drop in sales, the demand of 3.8 billion of export in 2013 places the apparel business 5th in position.

6.  Juices:

Nepal's juice market is among few export items that has surged in recent years. In 2010/11 it was 15 in position exporting 1.35 billion of rupees. Surprisingly, last year the sales rocketed to more than two folds and climbed to 7th rank among top export items. Likewise, the growth continued, though by a small fraction of a fifth, to 3.8 billion of export. Climbing a step in the ladder, this year, the juice holds the 6th position.

7.  Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of iron and steel:

Although Nepal imports iron and steel products, tubes and hollow objects of iron and steel are one among the Nepal's exports. Two years ago, in 2011/10, it was in 12th position exporting 1.64 billion rupees. Last year, the demand grew by almost the double from the previous year, to 2.35 billion rupees. The position only climbed by one rank to 11th in 2011/12. The upsurge continued, and increased by more than a third in 2012/13 as well with total export of 3.6 billion rupees. Owing to a substantial upturn in sales this year, it grabs the 7th position.

8.  Wire of iron or non-alloy steel:

Besides tubes, the wires of iron and non-alloy steel are another Nepali product in high demand. The iron and still wire export is constantly soaring, and climbed to 9th position last year from 10th a year before. Likewise, the demand overseas increased by more than a third and a tenth till last year. This year, with the total export amount of 2.73 billion rupees, the metal wire business ranked at 8th position.

9.  Lentils:

The major exportable agricultural product, Lentil was in 5th position two years ago, amounting 3.35 billion rupees of export. The pulse, both as whole and split lentils dropped by a fifth a fifth and descended to 8th rank last year. Lentils, mostly exported to Bangladesh, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Germany, Korea, UK, Indonesia, the export remained stagnate to 2.54 billion rupees of export in the year 2013, however, climbed to one position to 8th in rank.

10.  Jute Bags and Sacs:

One among the coarse fiber products of Nepal, Jute bags and Sacks was 12th in position in 2010/11, exporting 2.1 billion rupees. The following year, it rose to 8th position with a slight addition of a tenth in business to 2.34 billion rupees. This year, in 2012/13, with feeble improvement, it exported the amount of 2.54 billion rupees, and achieved the 10th position.

Export of first four months of FY 2013/14(July-Oct)

Source: Trade and Export Promotion Center, 2014

Owing to colossal imports recently, Nepal is facing a hefty loss in international trade. Further, Nepal has witnessed a continual decline in export performance. In addition, supply side constraint, we are unable to produce high quality finished products. Therefore, we are exporting, mostly-raw materials, hand woven products and wild crafted items. Due to the staggering imports, the overall trade falling to its knees. In the time of soaring loss in international trade, the aforementioned products are still surviving the chaos, and doing well in terms of their export from the country.