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Leveraging technology in remote work teams has become increasingly important in today's digital era. With the advancements in digital tools and virtual communication platforms, organizations can support remote employees' wellness, enhance productivity, and foster open communication among remote workers. In this blog post, we will discuss technologies that can enhance your remote team's productivity, organization, and collaboration.
Remote working tools
Organizations must ensure that remote workers are properly equipped with the right technology tools and resources for success. Numerous tools exist to elevate the remote working experience. Here are a few examples:
Invest in a reliable communication platform:
In a remote setting, communication is vital. There are multiple means to communicate, and using the right tools or the wrong tech tools can not only impact productivity but also drive remote employees' satisfaction to plummet. An all-in-one communication tool such as Slack or Microsoft Teams is one of the best options highly recommended. With these platforms, remote teams can use voice, video calls, online chats, instant messaging, and sharing screen options.
Cloud-based project management:
Cloud-based document sharing and project management tools allow remote employees to easily store and access information from a central location and collaborate on projects in real time. Project software like Trello, Asana, and Basecamp are some of the top tools that are designed to enable remote work. These collaboration tools can also be integrated with communication platforms to monitor delivery, and team members' progress, and discuss the project in shared spaces.
Video Conferencing:
Video conferencing tools ensure remote workers have the same immersive and productive experience as on-site team members. These tools are ideal for one-on-one communication or online meetings that would have otherwise been held in person if the team didn't work remotely. Zoom and Google Meet are the most popular examples of video calling tools because of their ease of use, versatility, and integration with other collaboration applications.
Employee Accessibility:
Remote work is dependent on how connected the workforce is, their mobile device, work laptops, work-critical software, and other systems. Providing the required technology ensures remote employees collaborate seamlessly with unlimited access to their daily tools, and have a stable internet connection, a work-related laptop, a headset with a mic, VPN access, and cloud storage.
Cybersecurity:
Issues around data security and cybersecurity have been on the rise recently, and businesses must ensure their workers are protected from cyber risks. It is advisable to implement a zero-trust cybersecurity model in a remote work scenario. A zero-trust model emphasizes strong authentication and verification for all parties attempting to access technology resources within or outside the business network.
A remote workforce is the future of digital transformation, and companies that have not started to invest in their virtual workspaces are at a disadvantage in the current high-tech era. By leveraging technology, businesses can reinforce security, enable effective team collaboration, and continue day-to-day operations without any issues.
Working smarter and more effectively
Remote companies rely on a range of tools to facilitate remote work. While common communication and management tools are essential to working remotely, there are other tools that may not be as prevalent but can have a significant impact on remote team. These lesser-known tools are worth investing in as they can make a substantial difference to remote team. For instance:
Automation tools: Tools like Zapier or IFTTT are incredibly useful for automating repetitive tasks, allowing teams to reclaim valuable time that can be spent on more important and strategic activities, Artificial intelligence is here to help us be more effective and reduce human error.
Employee health and wellness platforms: Platforms like 7 Cups of Tea, with their wide range of mental health resources and support, can play a crucial role in fostering a strong sense of community among remote employees.
Time tracking tools: There are several popular time tracking tools like Toggl or Harvest that allow teams to effortlessly track their time and boost productivity. These tools offer features such as project management, reporting, and integration with other productivity apps, making it easier for teams to stay organized and accountable.
Learning Management Systems: Utilize learning management systems such as Coursera, Udemy, or edX to offer training courses for employees and provide continuous development opportunities. This will ensure that employees are up-to-date with industry trends and can collaborate effectively across teams.
Language Services: Invest in language services such as Gengo to increase international teams’ understanding and collaboration
Cloud Storage: Invest in cloud storage solutions to keep data secure and organized, while making it easily accessible for remote employees in different time zones.
These tools are just a few examples of how technology can enhance remote work initiatives, these many benefits extend to both remote workers and those who work at the office. As our work methods evolve, keeping track of the abundance of available tools can be challenging. However, these tools can help us work smarter and more effectively. Whenever you find yourself spending too much time on a task, remember that there may be a tool out there to lend a helping hand.
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