Working in a business formal with long sleeves and slacks on and sitting in an office chair for an 8-to-5 job in a cubicle has been the standard work. However, with the pandemic overturning human lifestyles and starting trends to adhere to the changes, businesses going online and employees working in pajamas have become a norm.
Companies left and right are joining the bandwagon of remote work. With the advent of technology and the heightened risk of viral transmission, telecommuting has accelerated following the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the rising fame of remote work, telecommuting is new to many companies. Thus, not even the best would know their way through asynchronous communication and workflow. With the business’s success and profits at stake, it would be hard to experiment with lacking and inefficient company policies.
If you are only starting with telecommuting, don’t fret! We have prepared a four-point checklist of the must-have telecommuting tools in 2022 that you and your team need to bridge the gaps of non-physical work. Read further to know more!
1. Zoom
The absence of face-to-face meetings can be a problem in remote work. While group chats and personal messaging channels can already address some communication gaps, a risk of confusion among team members with the myriad of tasks is still inevitable. Therefore, virtual meetings are vital for discussing pressing matters and routine check-ups.
Zoom has become the most popular video conferencing tool, and its rising fame is wholly justified. Its remarkable features make virtual meetings easier and more productive.
You can use Zoom to create a recurring digital meeting room for scheduled and weekly meetings. Zoom also enables users to host up to 100 participants for free or even more when availing of its premium promos.
Take your virtual meeting to the next level by enjoying collaborative features such as screen-sharing and whiteboard. If the client is out and there is an urgent need for a discussion, Zoom enables you to call in via phone or through their mobile applications.
In addition, Zoom offers free HD voice and video, as well as private messages and breakout rooms for team members to collaborate individually.
2. Google Drive
Another telecommuting tool garnering a fanbase is Google Drive. Doing work through a screen and not having your team members beside you can pose quite a challenge to document sharing and simultaneous editing. The good news is that Google Drive can compile those files for you and your team members.
Google Drive is a centralized location where teams can share, edit, and collaborate on documents. As part of the applications offered by Google Suite, members can edit and create documents, slide presentations, spreadsheets, and other files through Google Docs, Sheets, and more.
Once uploaded and shared among the team members, members can accomplish their designated tasks for more seamless and efficient collaboration.
Google Drive is also not just known for undemanding collaborative work but for its high accessibility as well. Downloading its applications on your mobile phone and using a singular Google account can enable you to access your files anywhere and everywhere. This access advantage makes it the most sought-after remote work tool on the market.
While access has been Google Drive’s trademark, this tool also ensures data privacy. Editing its privacy settings will allow users to send an invitation to view and edit the documents only to select users.
Google Drive is free to use for anybody as long as they have a Google account. However, businesses can also avail of the Business version designed specifically for large organizations that need more than 15 GB of storage space.
3. Every Timezone
While the pandemic has accelerated the advent of telecommuting, remote work is not entirely a fresh idea. Many companies have already practiced telecommuting by hiring talents worldwide. With the workers being seas and miles apart, it is only inevitable that they work online.
If your company involves teams worldwide and you want to keep track of their working hours, you may want to look into Every Time Zone. Given the different time zones, this must-have telecommunication tool provides you complete visibility into the current times of your team members, given its time zone navigation features,
You can also configure your team in the app to view by time zone so you know who is working where and monitor their working hours. Every Time Zone’s search bar also allows you to search for people by time zone and even send meeting invites through their e-mails.
4. Asana
Project management can be arduous when you cannot physically see each member’s progress on their tasks. Luckily, Asana can make project management easier with its exquisite tools and features to help track task progress.
Not only is Asana a project and task management tool that can help your team organize, track, and manage their work, but users may also access it from anywhere. Its automation features can streamline approvals and convert standard boring projects into engaging templates.
Additionally, its scheduling feature can help save you time manually updating project schedules when deadlines change. Its colorful yet user-friendly interface increases work productivity and activity, as it encourages team members to work. Thus, you can ensure work accountability and faster workflow.
Asana has a free basic plan for up to 15 team members that includes calendar and list views and allows you to assign tasks and due dates. When handling bigger teams with over 15 members, they have a premium plan that enables users to indulge in better benefits and accommodate more hefty tasks.
Gear-up Team Productivity
The pandemic had left the world in shambles in more ways than one. Therefore, companies incorporated many adjustments to stay on top of the market demand despite worldwide lockdowns and quarantine measures. Working in pajamas from anywhere in the globe has indeed become the norm.
Pajamas can create a sleepy and homey atmosphere, which can slow down the work progress of the company team. Thus, ensuring a separate working and resting space increases productivity and eliminates procrastination. Splitting heavy tasks into smaller goals also avoids overwhelming pressure that leads to shoving tasks into a later time.
These tips are for improving individual productivity. But on a team scale, this four-point checklist of must-have tools can increase team productivity and decrease procrastination while working from home. Gear up your productivity today!
