(Newswire.net — November 18, 2016) — Running a team means being on top of workplace tools that make it easier for you and your team to talk, reach out to each other and stay in touch. From the good old days when beepers and phones were the next best thing to cutting-edge communication technology to today’s apps and software that make the world a much more connected place, tools have changed a lot from 10, even 5 years, ago. If you’re always on the lookout for ways to boost the way you and your IT team communicate, here’s a look at four communication tools that’s winning teams the world over. If your IT team hasn’t followed suit, it might be time you did:
Dropbox
In a world where lightweight technology is besting the competition, there’s something to be said for the freedom and convenience of being able to access your information from anywhere, at any time. So long as you have a Dropbox account, you can easily keep and store important company files, the Entrepreneur says. Need your team to send in their outputs or deliverables for the day? Unlike other online storage services, it’s reliable and dependable. So you won’t have to worry about losing your files in a glitch or trying to deal with a lot of errors. It’s one of the best communication tools out there that works.
Asana
The importance of an excellent management tool can never be overstated. With Asana, the most important feature you get is the way it allows you to keep track of the ‘tickets.’ So if there are pending deliverables for the day, it’s going to be easy for you to look them up and see who on your team needs a bit of push before the day ends. Another great thing about it is that it allows everyone on your team to monitor the ticket. Waiting for a project to come in is easy when you have a tool like this on your side.
BlueJeans
Provider of web-based video conferencing solutions, BlueJeans offers video conferencing services for IT that make it easy for your onsite and offsite teams to communicate. Ditch email and chat or even phone calls. Video solutions offers face to face contact, a game-changing element and one that allows teams and departments to improve interaction. If you have offsite teams working together, then this is the perfect solution. Video calls and conferences can break down geographical barriers in no time. And the more at ease your employees are, the better their working relationships will be. That carries over to their work as well. People deliver better performance when they know and trust the people they work with.
Trello
This is another management tool. It’s different from Asana because it allows you to designate assignments and tasks in a digital bulletin board. The Trello board is a great way to see the basics without all those details cluttering it up. And with the tactile experience it provides, it’s certainly bound to keep your team engaged. Assigning tasks has never been this fun. Ease of use is also a key factor in opting for a Trello board.
Other Tips
These are just 4 of the best tools you can go for today. However, there are plenty more out there. You only have to look and find the ones that best fit your needs and your team. Here are some handy tips to help you find the best tool for you:
- Consider employee engagement. If the tool isn’t picking up any traction, figure out why that is. If your employees aren’t using the tool because of lack of knowledge, provide a training session as soon as possible.
- Reduce miscommunication. The right tool can effectively reduce the amount of time and trouble you deal with that’s a result of miscommunication. So keep that in mind when you shop around, the Fast Company says. If it eliminates miscommunication, then that tool is a keeper.
- Check quality. A lot of people like the thought of adapting to new technologies. But make sure the technology or tool is already fully-developed before you make it a part of your communication platform. If it’s a new one, you’ll end up dealing with of changes and improvements being rolled out. That could lead to a ton of glitches. If you don’t want that to disrupt the operational efficiency of your business, then it’s better to opt for a technology that already has a solid following before you and your team join in.
The right tool can simplify your life. So take a look at these options. Try them out and see how well they go with your communication strategy. By using these tools, you can improve communication lines between employees and among departments. That means less miscommunication, wasted time and more profits. So if you want to see your bottom line improve, go for communication tools that match your need and budget.