Top 5 Communication Tools for Remote Work

Having a successful remote team without communication is simply impossible. When you can’t pop into someone’s office to ask a question or pile into a conference room for a meeting, you must find other ways to stay on the same page. Our recent employee survey revealed the top methods of communication to be:

• Zoom 52.28%
• Microsoft Teams 48.96%
• Conference Calls 41.91%
• Google Docs 21.99%
• Slack 11.62% and “other” 24.69% rounded out the results and included primarily text-based communication such as email and texting.

1. Zoom Video Conferencing

Video conferencing applications like Zoom are a great way to keep employees engaged. Get people comfortable with this communication channel because seeing each other’s faces is the next best thing to being there in person. Zoom fatigue is real, so don’t overuse it or pressure people to turn on video for every call. Zoom is so simple to learn that you can use it for both scheduled meetings and off-the-cuff one-on-one interactions on video or just audio. Zoom also has a VOIP option for voice calls.

2. Microsoft Teams

This interactive platform offers a wealth of options. Users can chat, share files, add topic channels, send private direct messages, and set up meetings. It can also be used for voice and video calls. It’s a great all-in-one solution, and most people are already comfortable in the Microsoft workspace.

3. Conference Calls

There are plenty of conference call options, from simply adding someone to a call to scheduling calls through a third-party application. Conference calls can be a quick way of getting all parties on the same page, especially when emails back and forth get out of hand. You can also schedule weekly or monthly team calls to stay in touch, reinforce goals and share progress reports. Voice calls are sometimes easier than video, particularly if people are traveling or sharing a workspace.

4. Google Docs

If employees frequently need to share documents, Google Docs is a reliable app, and it’s free. The interface is intuitive to anyone familiar with the Microsoft suite of office products. Google Docs is much like Microsoft Word, and there are spreadsheet (Sheets) and presentation (Slides) options as well. It automatically saves to the cloud and can be accessed by virtually any device with Wi-Fi access.

5. Slack, email, etc.

Sometimes the best solution is to dash off a quick message. That’s when Slack comes in handy. Email may be preferred for longer messages, when attachments are required, or if individuals outside the organization need to be included. Text is also an option, but there should be a discussion as to when it’s appropriate to use, particularly if it’s not a company-provided phone.

Keep Your Team Engaged

No matter which tools you use, remember that communication doesn’t have to be business only. They are also great for team building. Take time at the beginning of meetings to share life updates. Host trivia or game shows. Try games like virtual office Olympics, Pictionary or buzzword bingo. Add a pet pictures Slack channel. Solicit suggestions from your team to ensure you get buy-in.

PrideStaff is here to help.

As you continue to learn how to best operate in this new economy, our national staffing firm is here to help. Check out our new whitepaper for more remote work insights and strategies. We’ll keep you staffed, flexible, and prepared for what’s next. Contact your local PrideStaff office today to start a conversation.