The global pandemic has led many companies to transition from a traditional office environment to remote work environments. For businesses with remote teams, communicating with out-of-office staff to encourage engagement and collaboration is crucial. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools available that nurture efficiency and success for telecommuters. Here are some of the best virtual tools to ensure that your company thrives in this new normal.
Asana
This project management software categorizes information by teams and workflows, creating a visually appealing and user-friendly interface. Employees can easily locate assignments and time-sensitive tasks, and identify risks or errors that may arise. The online software allows businesses to build its boards around the needs of the company. Encourage a smoother transition from in-person management to online operations with this app.
Slack
Instead of sending countless emails back and forth in an effort to glean information, Slack offers a different way to communicate. Gather remote teams into channels or group users together by project for quick and efficient communication on Slack’s “channels”. These channels can be archived once completed so users may go back and review previous communication when needed.
G-Suite
One of the first widely used project management tools, Google’s G-suite allows users to create sharable documents, spreadsheets, calendars, and more. Create slide projects and make them accessible for team edits. Google’s chat feature also allows users to quickly communicate with one another, mitigating the interruption of workflows and increasing productivity. Google Drive keeps everything well-organized and allows many items to be stored in one place for ease of access.
Zoom
In-person group meetings have gone virtual with this efficient tool. Zoom allows a multitude of users to log on for video chats, webinars, and conferences. Where there’s a greater need for team collaboration, Zoom’s features ensure a smooth and user-friendly experience. Easily mute the microphone or hide your video to mitigate distractions when working from a public location. Screen sharing and recording options encourage collaboration and provide a simpler way to teach, instruct, or train remotely.
Trello
Regardless of your industry, Trello offers a virtually blank slate for creating project management workflows and sharing information. Organize teams or tasks into boards, create lists, and add cards for a visually pleasing, easy-to-understand management system. Trello’s free option offers enough autonomy to make custom boards and add users so that businesses may test this virtual tool before purchasing an upgraded version.
Toggl
Accountability for logging hours can easily fall by the wayside when employees are learning how to operate from a remote work environment. Toggl eliminates the need for self-reporting and can track employees’ time spent at work. The online tool may also be utilized to assign various tasks to users depending on the workday and their productivity.
The change from a typical office workday to a remote work environment can go more smoothly when teams implement virtual management tools. From organizing projects to assigning tasks, these free options allow for better communication and clarity regardless of where employees are working. EON Office supplies superior products to companies in all industries to help ensure your remote employees are set up for success. Contact us today to learn more.
