Even before the pandemic, many companies were turning to remote work. Since technology is just as effective at connecting us, many companies see no need to hire someone and require them to physically move from wherever they are to corporate headquarters. If you have a computer and a way to communicate with your colleagues, you can be in Boston while the company can be located in Helsinki and productivity can still happen.
But, as a small business, what do you need to get started and get the most out of remote work? If you can’t be in the office with your colleagues, you have to find ways to stay connected while communicating and managing yourself (and others) well.
So we’ve compiled a list of some of the best tools that integrate well with existing software and keep everyone on your remote team on the same page.
What are the remote working tools?
Remote work tools are different kinds of software (and hardware) that allow your team to stay organized and productive even when they’re not working side by side.
A good set of remote working technologies will seamlessly integrate into your business interface, allowing you to communicate and collaborate with your team no matter where they are located. Combine these tools with a solid remote work strategy, and you’ll really be in business.
The benefits of having a remote work toolkit
Software (and hardware) that allows communication, collaboration, and organization to flourish, giving your team the flexibility to work remotely while still being productive, even when your team isn’t together.
Collaboration/communication tools
Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a casual messaging system integrated with Gmail. With Hangouts, you can send instant messages, start video conferences, share pictures, and have multiple conversation streams at the same time.
Advantages of Google Hangouts for remote working
Hangouts is so user-friendly (your grandma would have understood) that it’s just a click away in Google Workspace. Because it’s built into Google Workspace, the integration is seamless, making Hangouts (now Hangouts Meet) one of the easiest communication tools to use.
RingCentral MVP
RingCentral Office connects your team in many ways. video conference? We can do this. Team news? Absolutely. As far as having a robust phone messaging system goes, we’ve got you covered. Basically, if you’re worried that your communication with your team will be affected after you switch to remote work, don’t worry.
Advantages of RingCentral MVP for remote working
The platform integrates various productivity and communication applications and is considered the world’s number one business communication platform. Its user-friendly interface allows your team to stay connected through live video conferencing, ensures you never miss an important call with call forwarding, and allows you to continue conversations regardless of time zone through its messaging system.
You may also like: Top 8 Remote Collaboration Tools for Teams
Remote productivity tools
Google Drive/Google Docs
Google Drive is an online storage system that keeps all your team’s files in one place and works with Google Docs and other Google applications. In Google Drive, users can make spreadsheets, create tables, store images, create tables, and more—all on a cloud-based platform that can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection. If you have a Gmail account, you have Drive, and the whole shebang is user-friendly and efficient.
Advantages of Google Drive/Google Docs for remote working
The possibilities for Google’s forms and document creation seem endless, and once you figure out you’re trying something new, the interface quickly guides you step-by-step through any new document you want to create. Sharing documents with colleagues is as easy as sending them an email or sharing a link, and depending on your settings, colleagues can collaborate on documents at the same time.
Dropbox
Dropbox is another cloud-based storage system that integrates different software (eg: Google Docs, Microsoft Office files, etc.) and allows sharing files with the entire team. Dropbox has built-in security, watermarking features, different storage options, and other management tools that get more advanced with the package you choose.
Advantages of Dropbox for remote working
Dropbox integrates with a variety of apps and software, including RingCentral, making file sharing between different software types easy. With the Dropbox app, you can share, view and edit files on a variety of devices, making it the ideal remote working technology.
Project management tools
Basecamp
Basecamp explains that what they offer is not just a project management tool, but a better way to work. On the Basecamp landing page, teams can see the same to-do list, message board, and project timeline, and can download files to share with the entire team. Messaging happens within the platform so that everyone can stay up to date.
Advantages of Basecamp for remote working
Basecamp is the digital version of a physical whiteboard (and probably full of post-it notes too). Their message board is user-friendly and easy to read, with everything documented so it’s easy to scroll through to see what you missed. With automated check-ins, Basecamp helps you see what everyone is up to each day, so everyone is on the same page.
Trello
Trello is a web-based Kanban-style list-making app that helps teams stay organized while collaborating.
Advantages of Trello for remote working
If Kanban-style list-making is your thing, Trello is perfect for your team. Each card contains detailed information, can be easily shared with other team members, and can be fine-tuned to manage large projects shared company-wide, or break down individual team members’ days and to-do lists by the hour.
Asana
Asana is a very flexible task management tool created by former early Facebook employees. It allows team members to manage processes, daily tasks, and keep communication lines open.
Advantages of Asana for remote working
Asana is a great tool for growing teams, it allows flexible project management and also allows to visualize the projects the team is working on in different ways. It allows you to view communications and what’s new, in progress, or completed within each project.
Associated with a user’s email, Asana sends email updates when team members communicate with each other on a project, and all messages are saved in the tool, so even if you remove email notifications, you can stay on the project Refer to original message.
Remote management tools
Toggl
Toggl keeps your team on their toes by telling them how their time is being used and which tasks are killing their productivity. Toggl pinpoints which projects and clients are the most profitable and which are a waste of time. Toggl also allows you to export data in any format to plan and make the most of your time and money.
Advantages of Toggl for remote working
With time tracking, you and your team learn how to be your most productive selves and get work done, no matter what time zone you may be working in. With over 100 app integrations, using Toggl across a wide variety of software is a breeze. Consider your time, management.
15Five
15Five is the performance management software dream for remote working teams. To keep the team’s communication channels open, 15Five has made their software as simple and elegant as their website. In a short survey, employees take a 15-minute survey once a week. Managers then spend five minutes reviewing the survey, and any information learned is distributed up the management ladder.
15Five integrates well with other well-known apps (BambooHR, Slack, and Zapier, etc.) and offers other ways to manage employees, such as one-on-one, weekly check-in, employee goal management, and recognizing employees for a good job.
Advantages of 15Five for remote working
15Five keeps everyone on the same page and reinforces a healthy company culture. This easy-to-use tool creates visibility that might otherwise be overlooked and allows managers to focus on what is creating real roadblocks for their employees.
Integration tools
Zapier
Zapier is a workflow management tool that lets you connect your applications so that information moves between them automatically.
Advantages of Zapier for remote working
Zapier creates workflow automation, which they call “zaps,” that automate repetitive tasks and save you from wasting time. Without new code, you can use Zapier to select “triggers” that are designed to take specific actions when a trigger occurs.
Best writing/editing tools
Grammarly
Grammarly is an online writing assistant that checks your grammar, punctuation and spelling as you write. Grammarly is an extension that works with any document you’re working on to ensure your writing is clear, concise, and reader-friendly.
Advantages of Grammarly for remote working
If you’re struggling to write in a thoughtful, meaningful way, Grammarly can restore your confidence so you’re not stuck on which “there” you should use and tips for writing engaging content.
Hemingway
The Hemingway app looks at the overall structure of your writing and helps you lengthen where you need more description and keep your writing concise when it gets too long. By highlighting your text and telling you what each sentence needs, Hemingway helps you know when your writing starts to hit and when it drops.
Advantages of Hemingway for remote working
Hemingway helps you understand the readability of your writing and tells you what grades can understand your prose. Balancing the ability to use thoughtful descriptors in an easy-to-read narrative, Hemingway helps awkward texts become conversational and compelling.
Coding tools
GitHub
GitHub says they are a development platform designed for the way you work. Not only are they tailored for large enterprises, but they also offer plans and features for people interested in building software through open source or for enterprises.
They have the largest open source community in the world, so it’s the perfect place for a two or twenty two person development team.
Advantages of GitHub for remote working
Since GitHub is the largest open source community, developers are always able to review each other’s work, offering suggestions and feedback while honing their craft. The more eyes you get on a GitHub project, the more attention it will generate, and that attention is likely to generate interest and even conversions for your company.
