The popularity of remote employees has increased exponentially throughout the past decade: the number of regular, remote employees has grown 103% since 2005, with 3.7 million employees working from home at least half of the time in 2016, according to Global Work Place Analytics.
And while technology has improved the possibilities of telework, it still takes a bit of finesse for managers to oversee their remote teams. From encouraging collaboration, to keeping morale high, it’s important for managers to utilize the best tools.
Refer to our top tech picks for keeping in touch with remote employees.
1) Slack
Slack is a messaging app specifically built for facilitating communication. From file sharing to third-party integration, the app takes instant messaging to the next level. Organize team conversations into separate channels, create private channels for sensitive information, and send direct messages to directly reach single colleagues.
Regardless of your industry, Slack is a simplified, smart way to keep in touch with your employees, no matter their device or location.
2) G Suite
Formerly known as Google Apps, G Suite is a no-brainer—because Google business apps do just about everything. Instead of dealing with the endless Apple-Microsoft debate, have your team utilize Google to make things easy for all parties involved. Docs, Sheets, and Slides are intuitive and enable managers to collaborate in real time with their remote workers.
From file sharing and document organization to security, Google apps streamline and simplify business communication and collaboration. Refer to Business Insider for more insight on the company’s robust offering.
3) Basecamp
In charge of overseeing employees that span more than one department? No assigned project manager? Consider looking into Basecamp for your collaboration and communication purposes. From smaller, one-off projects to large, full-team endeavors, you’ll benefit from the intuitive interface, and robust features like scheduling and collaboration.
The software has been around for nearly twenty years, and has developed quite the dedicated following. And with features like the Message Boards and Campfires, it’s entirely possible to use Basecamp for all your collaboration needs.
4) Google Hangouts
Video can help remote teams improve meeting efficiency and prevent miscommunications by enabling teams to actually see one another. And although some managers may prefer Skype or Facetime, we prefer Google Hangouts. Not only can you conference with as many as 10 people at a time, some will even say it’s surpassed other platforms in terms of video and sound quality.
Whatever the case, we like the simplicity and ease-of-use that Google offers. No download is required, and virtually any device can support the streaming service.
5) Evernote
Evernote enables users to keep notes, research, and other information in a single, central location. Once your employees create notes, they are instantly saved on all your devices and are instantly shareable. For managers overseeing remote teams whose responsibilities are varied, Evernote is an organizational dream come true.
Have any other apps you can’t live without? Leave a comment below! And for more information on managing and relocating your employees, visit Travelers Haven.