By adopting the right tools, companies can optimize their operations, promote employee interaction, and ensure everyone is aligned with the organization’s goals and values.
I previously wrote an article on “How to build a strong corporate culture with all team members in remote work?” listing nine strategies we learned and implemented here at Bitboundaire. In this article, I want to explore some of these tools, ranging from collaborative design to online meeting platforms.
Collaborative design tools
These are digital platforms that facilitate remote collaboration and visual communication among teams. Some collaborative design tools include project management capabilities, allowing groups to organize and track their projects, assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress. This integration can streamline the design workflow and keep everyone on the same page.
Miro, in particular, is a popular cloud-based online whiteboard tool that enables teams to collaborate in real time and share various assets. With it, we can ‘stick’ adhesive notes (post-its) on a workspace and create project development and workshops.
Other collaborative design tools similar to Miro are Mural, Conceptboard, Whimsical, Stormboard, and Microsoft Whiteboard.
Internal communication tools
These tools are essential for companies with many team members as they facilitate efficient communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. They help overcome geographical barriers, streamline workflows, and contribute to a more connected and engaged workforce.
Slack is a cloud-based collaboration tool primarily designed for workplace communication. It provides a centralized platform for team members to exchange messages, share files, and collaborate in real time. Discord was originally designed for gamers but gained popularity as a versatile tool for casual and professional communities.
Other internal communication tools similar to Slack and Discord are Microsoft Teams, Twist, Mattermost, and Flock.
Process management tools
They are software applications that help organizations streamline and optimize their business processes. These tools offer various features and functionalities that assist in planning, executing, monitoring, and analyzing processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and overall performance.
It’s worth noting that if properly documented, any repetitive and scalable activity in your company will optimize execution time and facilitate training in case of employee turnover.
Pipefy is a popular process management tool designed to help businesses streamline and automate their workflows. It provides a visual and intuitive interface that allows users to create, manage, and track their processes in a centralized manner.
Other process management tools similar to Pipefy are Lucidchart, Bizagi, Tallyfy, Nintex, and Microsoft Power Automate.
Remote work tools that facilitate file management
These tools facilitate file management for distributed teams by providing seamless collaboration, file sharing, and organization capabilities. They also provide various features to streamline remote file management, including cloud storage, collaboration options, version control, and integration with other productivity tools.
Google Drive is a cloud storage and file-sharing platform that allows users to store, share, and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. It offers real-time editing, version control, and the ability to set file permissions and access levels.
Other file management tools similar to Google Drive are Dropbox, SharePoint, and Microsoft OneDrive.
Email tools that integrate with various platforms
An email tool that integrates with other platforms can be highly beneficial, making your activities more productive. These tools often offer features such as email tracking, scheduling, automation, collaboration, and integration with popular platforms and applications.
Gmail is a widely used email service provided by Google. It has its own set of built-in tools and features, but several add-ons and extensions are available in the Gmail marketplace that enhances its functionality. These tools can integrate with other platforms like project management tools, CRM systems, and customer support software to provide a more comprehensive email experience.
Another email tool similar to Gmail is Microsoft Outlook.
Task manager tools
These tools are designed to assist teams in organizing, managing, and tracking tasks, projects, and assignments. They offer features such as task creation, assignment, prioritization, progress tracking, deadline management, collaboration, and reporting. The team must have all demands well mapped by priorities to focus on what’s most important and not overlook any requests from other departments.
Trello is a visual project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to represent tasks and their status. Users can create cards for tasks, move them across lists (e.g., “To Do,” “In Progress,” “Completed”), and collaborate with team members through comments and attachments.
Other task manager tools similar to Trello are Monday, Asana, Wrike, and Microsoft To Do.
Online meeting platforms
As remote work becomes increasingly prevalent in companies, having a dedicated online meeting platform is crucial for effective meeting management. These platforms offer a wide range of features to enhance communication and collaboration among participants.
Zoom is one of the most widely used video conferencing platforms. It offers features like HD video and audio, screen sharing, breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, and recording capabilities.
Other Online meeting platforms similar to Zoom are Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Skype for Business.
Empowering remote collaboration
With these tools, it is possible to promote team members’ interaction, share knowledge, track project progress, manage tasks, and maintain efficient communication, regardless of geographic location. While the home office can present challenges, with the right tools, companies can strengthen their corporate culture, increase productivity, and ensure the success of their operations, even at a distance.