Remote work has been around for decades, but it’s only in recent years that technology has made it possible for people to do their jobs from anywhere.
When it comes to remotely working, communication and collaboration are essential. It takes a lot of finesse to ensure teams can stay in touch even when they’re not physically together.
1. Filestage
Filestage is a cloud-based proofing software that helps teams get their work reviewed and approved quickly. It streamlines, organizes and automates feedback on files throughout the proofing process, while reducing errors and ensuring compliance guides are met. The software is designed for creative agencies and marketing teams of small, medium, and enterprise organizations.
The app allows teams to upload videos, images, designs, documents, websites, and interactive content to a central portal. Its platform also offers due date tracking, version management, approval process control, and collaboration tools.
Team members can annotate video, image, and PDF files using markup tools. They can also attach reference files, upload and store documents in a centralized repository, and drag-and-drop files across projects. In addition to this, Filestage offers various features, such as video/image reviews, sorting capabilities, role-based permissions, custom projects, one-click approvals, and more.
Unlike email, Filestage allows clients and co-workers to comment on files directly in the browser. The app uses encrypted review links, so you can trust your feedback is secure.
The tool helps you collect feedback on designs, videos, and documents from team members and clients. Its simple and clear user interface makes it easy for teams to manage feedback, so they can focus on their work. Additionally, it provides automated reminders and status updates, so they can receive prompt feedback at the right time. This is especially helpful for remote workers, who may need to gather feedback from multiple stakeholders. It also provides instant messaging, which makes it easier to communicate and build rapport. The app is available for a monthly or annual subscription, depending on the size of your organization. It also offers support via email and an online help center.
2. Calendly
Calendly is an online scheduling tool that helps teams and departments at companies around the world book meetings, interviews, support calls, and video conferencing. It also lets you distribute tasks across your team with the click of a button.
It has a 14-day trial and offers a monthly or annual subscription option depending on your needs. It costs $10 per user for a premium account or $8 for a pro plan.
The software lets users connect their existing Apple, Google, and Microsoft calendars so they don’t double-book their meeting time. They can also choose which calendars to scan and whether or not they want the platform to automatically add new events to those calendars.
When an invitee receives a Calendly link, they’ll be able to see your availability and select a date for their meeting. The system will then display only days that are open for booking, based on the availability you set in your event type.
Once the meeting is scheduled, your invitee will be able to check in and out of the meeting as necessary. You can also set a limit on how long the meeting lasts, so you can ensure it’s not too lengthy or overwhelming.
Using Calendly can save you a lot of time and headaches when it comes to meeting scheduling. It can also help you build stronger relationships with clients and leads, since it allows them to see your availability and schedule meetings in advance.
In addition to scheduling, Calendly allows you to track your time spent on projects and activities, which can help you better understand your progress over time. It also integrates with popular tools like Zoom and GoToMeeting so your team can access video conferencing sessions without a hassle.
3. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one project management app that can be used by individuals and teams alike. It is a great solution for small businesses that want to keep track of projects and tasks. Its ability to integrate with other tools allows teams to save time and improve productivity.
Aside from the usual list and calendar views, ClickUp also has a Gantt chart and a Kanban board. These options make it easier to visualize the different phases of a project. In addition, the tool comes with additional tasks management features like sub-tasks, task dependencies, an automation builder and custom project templates.
Team collaboration and communication are crucial for successful project management. As more organizations adopt remote work, it’s important to have a system in place to communicate with team members and keep everyone up to date.
With ClickUp, teams can create task lists that are organized in a hierarchical structure that scales with their projects. This helps them organize their work by department or client, and it’s easy to change the structure as needed.
The app also has a two-way integration with Google Calendar, which lets you pull and store information from your account, including meeting and event details. It also has a Zoom integration, which allows you to launch meetings and record recordings in your ClickUp workspace.
Another benefit of using ClickUp is that it’s easy to share reports, which can help you stay on top of your workflow and avoid unnecessary distractions. You can use reports to estimate your ongoing projects and find out which tasks are overdue or ahead of schedule.
As a bonus, ClickUp offers free plans that allow you to try out the app before purchasing. This makes it a great option for freelancers or individuals who are just starting out in the project management industry.
4. Slack
Slack is a great tool for remote work because it allows you to easily communicate with colleagues, share files, and keep in touch. It also has a variety of tools to help you organize your work, including channels and workgroup organizations. Its file transfer features are great for sharing documents or photos and you can also use its phone and video conferencing features to connect with your team in real-time.
The first step is to sign up for a Slack account. You can use your email address or an Apple or Google account to sign up. Once you’re signed in, you can start chatting with your team using a desktop app or via the web.
One of Slack’s most important features is its integration with third-party apps. Its app ecosystem has over 1500 apps that can be integrated into its platform, making it a powerful hub for your team’s communications.
Another important feature is its private channels and DMs. These can be used to break down large teams into relevant groups or to restrict sensitive conversations or work materials to specific team members.
You can create a new channel by clicking the + button in the sidebar. Then you can name it, invite others to join, and describe its purpose. In addition, you can set notifications so that everyone will be notified when new messages are posted in the channel.
In March 2020, Slack introduced a major update that lets users group different types of channels together. This makes it easier to find information in the workspace and helps you manage conversations more effectively.
If you are a Slack admin, you can track message activity on public and private channels and DMs. This includes the number of messages, number of users in a channel, and the last time someone was active on a workspace. In addition, site admins can track user logins, workspace activity, and the number of files uploaded to a workspace.
5. Miro
Miro is a fun and easy-to-use digital whiteboard that allows teams to brainstorm remotely. Its infinite zoomable canvas helps teams see the big picture while keeping track of details. Its features include online sticky notes, smart drawing, freeform digital pens and a wide range of templates for different projects and workflows.
Team members can share boards with others, invite them to join a board through Slack and Gmail, or add email addresses directly. In the sharing settings, you can also choose to make boards accessible to everyone on your team or set restrictions based on specific roles and permissions.
If you are unsure how to use the tool, Miro’s support & help center provides written guides and videos that will show you the ins and outs of the software. The company also has a YouTube channel where they have over 25 tutorial videos.
The platform also offers multiple software integrations that allow users to connect their boards with common apps used by distributed teams, such as Jira, Trello and Slack. These integrations make it easier to organize project tasks and design processes using Agile techniques.
Whether you are starting a new project or running an existing one, creating a workflow can be tricky. Using an Agile approach to mapping out a project can be a great way for teams to prioritize their work and stay on top of the timeline. With a variety of pre-built workflow templates available, you can create a system that suits your team’s needs and style.
To get started with Miro, simply sign up for a free account. From there, you can start brainstorming, creating a strategy, documenting a meeting, or designing a product. If you need inspiration, you can try a template from the Miro library that includes everything from business model canvases to fishbone diagrams and mind maps.