Remote work is now an established working model around the world. 58% of employees now want to work remotely full time, while 39% prefer a hybrid model.
As a result, how we work has gone through a massive change.
Working from home requires a setup that needs many resources. Among them, remote working tools top the list of priorities. Remote workers use a range of digital solutions to be productive and collaborate.
However, just using remote working tools doesn’t bring success. You have to make the most of your applications to engage employees and meet your business objectives.
Below are a few tips and tricks to leverage the best remote working platforms for excellent outcomes.
Build Team Spirit with Video Conference Tools
Most organizations rely on tools like Skype or Zoom to perform virtual meetings. These apps also allow employers to video call their staff for one-on-one interactions.
However, businesses may also rely on these tools to build team spirit. They can hold group discussions, feedback sessions, and daily stand-ups on virtual meeting tools to create a bond between teams.
It allows you to make up for the lack of face-to-face interactions and connect virtually. Your employees will also connect with their colleagues and become ready for teamwork.
Take Advantage of Lean Project Management
Businesses today aim to stay agile and implement lean project management. The approach helps them reduce waste and deliver more value to customers.
However, it is not very easy to manage your project in a lean way. Therefore, you should use a modern project management solution to track your progress and manage workflows.
Project management tools like Trello use a Kanban method to help you achieve lean management efficiently. They allow you to visualize your workflows and keep a check on WIP (work on progress).
Additionally, you can move completed tasks in the ‘Done’ from ‘WIP’ to know your project’s status.
Allow Offline Access to Training Materials
Employees are always eager to grow and advance their careers. Additionally, 68% of workers would like to learn at their workplace.
As a result, enterprises invest in robust learning and development programs for their workforce. It creates a team of committed employees who are ready to give their 100%.;
However, remote employees may not always be able to attend online training. They may miss out on live streams of lectures or demonstrations due to various factors, like time differences.
Therefore, it is necessary to make your live streams available for download. This way, your employees can watch them at their convenience and learn at their pace.
It is very easy to create offline versions of live streams. You just need a screen recorder for Mac to capture the whole stream, complete with accompanying audio.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication in Your Tools
Your employees will use a range of tools to work productively. The list includes communication apps, video calling tools, virtual whiteboards, cloud storage portals, and more.
It is the duty of the employer to sign up all employees for the necessary tools and services. Additionally, they should encourage the workers to set up two-factor authentication or 2FA.
Today, businesses cannot shrug away the risks of cybercrime. Several businesses have already been hacked, and millions have been stolen.
One of the most common ways hackers gain entry to company systems is through employee accounts. Mistakes like weak passwords make it easier for cybercriminals to break in.
Therefore, ask your employees to create strong passwords with combinations of alphabets, numbers, and special characters.
Additionally, recommend them to set up 2FA for all business accounts. 2FA introduces another layer of protection as employees have to enter a code or PIN sent to their mobiles or emails to log in.
As a result, 2FA goes a long way to prevent unauthorized access to data and sensitive information.
Save Money with Free Remote Working Tools
The best remote working platforms and tools are paid. Businesses have to pay monthly subscriptions that may increase with the number of users.
However, there are still a few free and reliable remote work tools that you can use. Additionally, many tools have a basic version with limited features you can use for free.
For example, Trello and Slack have free versions to try out their services. They may be suitable for small teams and small businesses to save costs.
Additionally, startups may find free tools useful as they have a limited budget. Best of all, you may upgrade your account at any time by paying and enjoy additional features and perks.
Choose Cloud Remote Working Platforms
Businesses can opt to purchase subscriptions to cloud tools or pay for on-premise installation. Naturally, you will have to start from scratch and need a significant upfront investment to build your software.
In addition, you may need to invest in hardware like servers. Moreover, you may have to pay for the wages of an IT team that maintains your tools.
Cloud software providers, on the other hand, don’t need any up-front investment. You also don’t need to buy any special hardware.
The tool operates from the vendor’s cloud, and all you need is a laptop or mobile to work. As a result, you can save a significant part of your budget.
Additionally, your employees will be able to access the tools from anywhere and at any time.
Choose Your Remote Working Tools Wisely
There are countless tools in the market to facilitate remote work. However, not all of them are up to the mark or provide enough value for your money.
Therefore, research before you spend your money on any solution. Read reviews, ask your peers, or use a free trial to ensure you choose the right tool for your needs.
Final Thoughts
Remote working tools can go a long way to boost productivity and efficiency. However, you have to use the tools the right way to generate the most returns. Additionally, you may try out free tools to see if they meet your needs. Moreover, ensure your employees are familiar with using all the tools.
