Millions of Americans have embraced remote work in recent years. Today, 22 million people now work from home full-time and 35% of workers now say they can complete their work remotely.
Supporting employees who choose to work from home is crucial for firms that want to utilize remote work. Remote collaborative tools are increasingly important for the smooth functioning of modern companies that want to make full use of a remote/hybrid team. Even small changes, like installing a workflow program that integrates with communications apps, can meaningfully improve efficiency and productivity.
Embracing remote collaboration tools can aid teamwork and improve workplace morale, too. This is crucial for companies that want to maintain a strong company culture while transferring to remote work.
The Value of Collaboration Software
Collaborative remote work software can drastically improve the productivity of remote teams and help keep everyone on the same page. This is crucial for firms that have recently switched to remote or hybrid work, as some employees may feel disconnected following the change. Other benefits of using remote collaboration software include:
- Enhanced efficiency
- Improved project management
- Increased creativity and innovation
- Strengthen performance
Collaboration software can unite employees and help them connect with one another while working remotely. This can bridge the remote gap and ensure that folks are able to work together in real-time. Similarly, managers who use collaborative software will have a better understanding of their team’s productivity, as they’ll be able to track key metrics like tasks completed, engagement with digital resources, and time spent on tasks.
Paying for professional-grade collaborative software can enhance efficiency and reduce the amount of time folks spend searching for email chains or sticky notes containing key details. This is crucial in today’s competitive world of commerce, where businesses are constantly striving to enhance productivity and cut down on wasted time.
Secure Digital Software
Switching to a remote-only business model can save the company money and enhance operational agility. However, firms that do make the switch must ensure that their collaborative tools are secure and that workers follow protocols to protect their passwords and prevent breaches. This is crucial for firms that are new to remote work, as employees who are new to WFH may be more likely to fall foul of phishing scams and malware attacks.
Remote collaboration tools can reduce the risk of human error and enhance the company’s security. For example, many remote tools like Google Drive or Microsoft Teams save backup versions of documents to the cloud. This reduces the risk of losing important documents permanently when an employee accidentally deletes the wrong folder from their computer.
Using collaborative tools like workflow programs can improve cross-departmental communication, too. Human error is far more likely to occur when folks have to juggle multiple platforms and split their attention between different apps. By using collaborative tools that integrate with the current tech stack, business leaders can reduce the risk of costly errors and create a safer, more productive work environment.
Firms that do use remote collaborative software will need to regularly train and re-educate employees to ensure they understand cybersecurity threats like phishing and malware scams. Teaching employees how to recognize and avoid common attacks can help the firm <href=”#google_vignette”>avoid the pitfalls of remote collaboration. This supports the profitability of the company and ensures private data isn’t accidentally revealed in a breach.
Enhancing Productivity
At their core, remote collaboration tools are designed to enhance productivity. However, businesses that care about their team’s well-being must go beyond the generic blend of conferencing, communication, and workflow software. Companies can enhance their team’s wellness and bolster employees’ productivity when WFH by offering tools like:
- Automated emailing apps for faster response
- Remote desktop software to aid training initiatives
- Time-zone displays to ensure employees are aware of peers’ schedules
Similarly, companies can enhance collaboration by offering skills training that enhances well-being and bolsters interpersonal skills. For example, if a manager notices that some employees struggle to engage in digital discussions, they may invest in training sessions to ensure that their entire team knows how to use functions like sending gifs or sharing their screen. These basic remote skills help folks feel like part of the team and aid efforts to create a strong culture when working remotely.
Conclusion
Creating a collaborative workplace when working remotely can be tricky. Business leaders who want to support their team can get the ball rolling by finding software that integrates with their firm’s existing tech stack. This reduces the number of apps that employees must open when they log on and will simplify communication channels.
Companies that utilize remote working software will need to invest in training programs, too. This will reduce the risk of a security breach due to an easily guessed password or phishing scam and will ensure that employees know how to use all of the tools on offer to them.
