Business Calendar

originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business. Long hours and hectic schedules are integral components of startup culture. Along with the fun perks, office pups and ubiquitous passion, startups are also known for countless team meetings, working lunches and out-of-office events. Forgetting an obligation with a client or partner could be disastrous for a business (not to mention, embarrassing). That's why small businesses and startups should embrace open calendars. Shared calendar apps, accessible by mobile or desktop device, can help individuals manage assignments and appointments, or teams manage tasks and meetings. When calendar changes do occur, these apps save us time by eliminating the need for back-and-forth phone calls and emails. An added benefit of using shared calendars is helping a busy organization balance out the work. At a startup, each employee typically wears numerous hats. With a shared calendar, managers get a better idea of employees' current obligations and availability for new projects. They can optimally plan events and tasks with that in mind. Open schedules are also advantageous for scheduling group meetings and determining when most people are free. Below are four shared calendar apps that can simplify work life at startups and small businesses.