Working remotely remains a reality for all sorts of teams right now, and indeed it has become the preference for many employees over the daily commute to the office.
Recent statistics show that 16% of companies worldwide now allow 100% remote work, with 27% of these employers reporting a marked increase in their productivity.
There are of course unique obstacles that come with this setup, so if you’ve got entire teams to facilitate in a remote working context, providing them with access to the following tools is crucial.
Stay Connected and On Track with Video Conferencing Tools like Zoom
As remote working becomes more commonplace, video conferencing tools are becoming increasingly important for business owners and managers who need to keep their teams connected. Enter Zoom – an easy-to-use platform for hosting virtual meetings, webinars, conferences, and more.
Zoom delivers a raft of features and functions worth shouting about, such as screen sharing capabilities that allow users to display presentations or documents in real time during meetings, and the ability to record sessions for future reference.
There are even built-in polls and surveys that can help measure audience engagement, and breakout rooms where participants can discuss topics in smaller groups and increase their productivity.
All these functionalities make Zoom an invaluable tool for keeping remote teams productive even when they’re not able to meet face-to-face. Plus with its intuitive interface it’s easy enough even for tech novices.
Broaden your search beyond this particular package and you’ll find plenty of other reputable options out there, such as Microsoft Teams and Google Meet.
Get Organized with Project Management Software: How Basecamp And Its Competitors Can Help Remote Teams Thrive in 2023
Organizing complex projects can be a challenge, especially when teams are working remotely. That’s why project management software like Basecamp can be an invaluable tool for business owners and managers who want to keep their teams connected and running smoothly in 2023.
Basecamp is designed to help streamline communication, facilitate collaboration, and automate tedious processes such as task tracking. With features like message boards, chat rooms, document sharing capabilities, Gantt charts for project timelines, calendars for deadlines and events tracking – all accessible from one central platform – Basecamp offers the perfect solution to help remote teams stay organized and on track this year.
Also bear in mind that there are more than 12 alternatives to Basecamp which offer their own benefits and unique features. This is a recurring theme, essentially showing that you don’t just have to choose the best-known version of a particular software solution.
Streamline Collaboration & Communication with Services Like Slack
In order for remote teams to collaborate effectively, they need a way to stay connected and communicate—and that’s where Slack comes in.
This user-friendly platform allows users to create private or public channels for specific topics or discussions, as well as direct messaging capabilities which make it easier than ever to keep in touch with colleagues.
Slack also offers powerful features such as the ability to share documents and files between members, threaded conversations so you can easily track back on previous topics, automated notifications that help you stay up-to-date on important tasks, and third party integrations like Google Drive and Dropbox.
As always, there are a bevy of other options out there which fuel communication and collaboration. Check out the competition and consider which is the best fit for your team, and your available budget.
Keep Your Data Secure & Accessible Anywhere With Cloud Storage Solutions such as Google Drive or Dropbox
In order for remote teams to stay productive, they need access to the data and resources they need – anywhere, anytime. That’s why cloud storage solutions such as Google Drive and Dropbox are so essential for businesses that rely on remote work.
These platforms allow users to store all types of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and images securely in the cloud where they can be easily accessed from any device at any time.
Plus both Google Drive and Dropbox offer features like real-time collaboration which make it easier than ever for teams spread across multiple locations to collaborate on projects without having to worry about file sharing issues or lost data due to unsynchronized files.
If you’d rather handle this in-house, consider setting up your own data storage solution, or choose a hybrid option that’s part of your plan to boost remote work productivity in 2023.
Make Team Meetings Easier With Virtual Whiteboard Apps Like Miro
Team meetings are essential for keeping remote teams connected and productive, but can be tricky to manage when everyone is not in the same room.
That’s why virtual whiteboard apps like Miro can be an invaluable tool for business owners and managers who need a way to facilitate smooth team meetings this year.
Miro offers features such as real-time collaborative drawing capabilities that allow participants to sketch out ideas, brainstorm together on projects, or plan strategies.
Final Thoughts
The right combination of tools can turn a disparate remote team into a well-oiled machine, so make 2023 the year that you optimize your setup and empower your employees.
