For many, this is a time to pause and take a look back at the past year. You might already know that I’m a big fan of working smarter over working harder. One of the ways I approach this type of mindset is keeping a constant lookout for new ways of working and new tools to work with. As I look back over the numerous finds I made during 2019, there are a few that stand out from the crowd. Here are three of my favorite new discoveries from this year that have earned a place in my tool kit.
BrightSlide
Most of us work in PowerPoint at some time or another. All of us can benefit from the time and sanity-saving improvements that BrightSlide has to offer. Created for PC users by Jamie Garroch and Taavi Drell of BrightCarbon, this free add-in will help you create, polish, and edit presentations faster and more efficiently than ever before.
There are too many features to cover them all but my favorite is the visual typography adjustment capability. If you do nothing else, go grab this now. You’ll be glad you did.
BrightSlide
Glide App
I’ve tried a boatload of “easy” app creation tools and none of them can hold a candle to Glide. You can literally be up and running with a professional grade app in minutes. I’ve seen so many cool ways to use this including performance support, portfolio and professional online presence, sports team management and more. You’re only limit is your creativity.
Sparks
This one is a recent discovery that I’m super excited about. Sparks takes a page out of the marketing playbook and automates data-driven learning campaigns to help maximise the impact of your L&D activities and provide powerful performance support.
Now it’s your turn! Did you discover anything in 2019 that you can no longer imagine living without?
Mike Taylor 
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