The world is changing fast, and you should stay up to date if you want your business to move forward. A considerable portion of the workforce is currently working remotely, and this is set to be the trend.
It’s in this realization that the technology industry has come up with various tools and platforms to support this shift. It now provides secure, convenient, and low-cost platforms for people to run their businesses from anywhere in the world.
Video conferencing has, for example, become the prime of these tools. Here’s a more detailed look into some of the tools to keep your business rolling.
Communication
Your business can take a nosedive without proper communication and mostly if you work remotely. Fortunately, you no longer have to rely on face-to-face meetings to conduct business. You can establish different communication channels for collaboration. Available tools include:
Slack
You can set it up on your phone or desktop to send direct chats to specific people. You can also set up channels for various teams. Connect a calendar app to transition from one work status to another automatically.
Other communication tools are:
- Google Meet
- Outpost
- Zoom
Productivity and Collaboration
Productivity can increase or decrease when people work remotely. It isn’t easy to oversee your employees when they work from anywhere else but the office. With tools like municipal software, you can track what’s happening around your business. Here are some tools to help you and your team increase productivity.
Trello
It’s a useful project management tool that eases collaboration. Using Trello boards, you can create tasks, step by step, and chart the expected progress. You can monitor the tasks from a calendar view if you wish to visualize them from a broader perspective.
The app is free and has no member limitations. You can use it on your tablet, smartphone, or computer. Better still, you can integrate it with MailChimp, Evernote, Dropbox, and Google Drive.
Other productivity tools are:
- Basecamp
- Internet Speed Tool
File Sharing
Instead of sending endless emails when you need to share files or other assets, consider tools specified for this function. Many productivity platforms allow you to share files, but they’re not always the most effective tools. It’s better to use a platform specifically created for the purpose.
Google Drive
It can be frustrating to search for a document in a pile of files. Google Drive simplifies the process of storage and retrieval of files. You and the team members can see file edits, work on the same document, and add comments on the same document at the same time. Storing files on the Google drive also enables you to access them from any device. The app is free to use.
Time Management
Time management and productivity are tied to each other, but you need different tools for both. If your employees struggle to track time, this tool can help.
Timely
Run a background check on your employees’ computers to maintain a digital log of all their projects. The tool helps you set completion goals, prioritize projects, and compare recorded time with estimates. You can use the professional plan to manage all team members from the same account at $14/month per user.
Final Thoughts
It can be an uphill task to manage a remote team, but investing in various online tools is the answer. The online space today has millions of tools and platforms you can use to make work easier. They reassure that your employees are working towards your business goals wherever they are.