Now we are all adapting or planning to adapt to working from home, there are a few ways to make things easier.
With the right tools, you can communicate easily, keep track of who is doing what and maintain a professional operation that is so seamless, your customers won’t realise you’re not in the office.
Here are our top picks for tech tools which make working remotely a breeze.
A good internet connection
Your team won’t get anything done without a high speed and reliable internet connection.
Even if it means a little extra financial outlay, ensuring people have good internet at home will mean you can communicate without dropouts.
Quality devices
Laptops, smartphones and other equipment necessary for work also need to be good quality.
There’s nothing more frustrating than waiting for a colleague to reboot their laptop for the tenth time that day, or wondering why they suddenly disappeared half-way through a meeting, so invest in the right equipment.
Video conferencing software
Many video call solutions for business are now cloud-based, meaning you don’t have to download software to your computer. All you need is either a browser link or an app on your smartphone, which any employee should be able to start using for free.
Make sure the software you use allows for multiple participants, screen sharing and recording. This will make your meetings more productive.
The platforms we recommend are:
- Hangouts Meet
- Zoom
Virtual phone lines
You don’t have to be sitting next to a landline phone to share a recognisable office number with your clients.
Apps like Dialpad put your phone system in the cloud. You can have customers dial the office line and you or your staff can answer it from their computer or mobile, no matter where they are.
Doing this also allows you to have separate numbers for your work and personal life and connects to your address book as well as CRM system so your contacts are already pre-loaded when it’s time to call.
Cloud-collaboration
G Suite and other collaboration platforms cost relatively little for a monthly subscription and allow you and your team to share documents and work on them in real-time.
Instead of creating files, saving them, and emailing back and forth, you simply share a web link/URL. Anybody who has access to the document can then make edits, with others watching in real-time if necessary.
G Suite has document, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint options to make teamwork easy, even when people are geographically separate.
Chat tools
When everyone is working from home, frequent communication is essential (without picking up the phone and interrupting work all day). Use G Suite’s Hangouts Chat or tools like Slack.
These allow you to quickly share documents, ask questions or even post a joke or two. In these complicated times, keeping the mood light is not to be underestimated.
Task management software
Asana, Teamwork, Monday, and Trello are user-friendly task management platforms. They allow you to assign tasks, set deadlines, share updates, make notes and mark jobs as complete.
When it comes to productivity, these tools are a game-changer. They will help you keep track of every project and also keep staff accountable for their workloads. Again, the monthly cost is low when you look at how much these tools will help you achieve as a group.
Offline tools
It’s not all about what’s on the screen.
Encourage your staff to set up a proper desk and some cheery surroundings with their favourite posters, photos, and trinkets. Notebooks, pinup boards, and filing cabinets will really come in handy.
Ergonomics count too. If possible, your staff should be working from a desk chair and have their computer set up to minimise repetitive strain injuries. You can find plenty of articles online about how to have a physically safe workspace, even at home.
While it’s not possible for everyone, an office with a door makes it easier to separate life from work.
Need advice on the right tools for your business? Click here to schedule a call and our team will get in touch with you.
