The paradigm shift towards remote work initially unfolded abruptly in response to the global impact of COVID. However, today, it has evolved into a deliberate and strategic choice for many organizations. Businesses are now embracing the flexibility and scalability that remote work offers. This intentional shift is driven by a desire to tap into a broader talent pool, enhance employee satisfaction, and establish a resilient operational model capable of navigating unforeseen challenges. 

A study by Standford University suggests that remote workers are 13% more productive than in-office workers. The same experiment also suggested that remote work helps businesses see an average increase of  $2,000 in profit per remote worker. A study by Global Workplace Analytics found that companies can save an average of $11,000 per employee per year by allowing them to work remotely. The intentional adoption of remote work stands as a testament to the adaptability and forward-thinking nature of modern businesses. Leveraging productivity tools can help your remote teams achieve exceptional results.

10 Must-Try Productivity Tools for Remote Teams

Here are my top ten picks for the most useful Productivity tools for remote teams:

Slack

According to Buffer’s State of Remote Work report, the three biggest challenges associated with remote work are unplugging after work, loneliness, and communication. The simplest to solve among these three is communication. Texts, emails, and notifications from your project management app can be isolating. There is going to be an increased need to keep overcommunicating during remote work to ensure that the work is in progress. A tool that a large number of companies use to ensure this is Slack.

Slack is a cloud-based communication and collaboration platform. Slack facilitates real-time messaging, file sharing, and team collaboration. It helps in quick communication and reduces reliance on emails. The great thing about Slack is that it is convenient yet professional. You wouldn’t need to scratch your head in figuring out the interface.

Google Workspace

A dedicated workspace like Google Workspace streamlines remote work, providing a centralized platform for remote teams to organize and manage all their tasks in one location. Google Workspace or G-Suite is a suite of cloud-based productivity tools. Google Workspace enables seamless collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Meet are key components for communication and collaboration. It also offers a custom domain, increased storage, and upgraded security features for enhanced productivity.

Asana

Managing projects and handling responsibilities is where the most clarity is required. A solution like Asana helps keep everyone on the same page and delegate work effectively. Asana is a mobile and web project management platform. Asana facilitates task management, project tracking, and team collaboration. It helps in keeping projects organized and on schedule. Asana has also published resources extensively to create better workflows for remote teams.

Dropbox

Jumping from hybrid/on-site to fully remote work also means powering up your cloud storage. Tools like Dropbox streamline the process for teams to effortlessly share and store files through cloud collaboration. Dropbox is a cloud storage and file-sharing platform. It allows easy and secure sharing of files and documents. It is useful for accessing and collaborating on documents from different locations.

Trello

Using tools such as Trello can simplify project management, making it more feasible to adopt a remote work setup. Trello is a web-based, kanban-style, list-making visual project management platform. Trello provides a visual overview of tasks and projects, making it suitable for remote-working visual thinkers. It helps teams organize and prioritize work flexibly and collaboratively.

Bonusly

Bonusly is an employee recognition and reward platform. Bonusly fosters a positive remote work culture by allowing team members to recognize and reward each other. It encourages a culture of appreciation and acknowledgment, which can be particularly empowering in a remote setup.

Employees can give each other small bonuses for good work, helpful actions, or positive contributions to the team culture. The points received from these bonuses can be exchanged for various rewards, such as gift cards, donations, or company swag.  It can be integrated with platforms like Slack, making recognition a seamless part of daily work communication. Bonusly is a great tool to keep remote employees engaged and motivated, as they feel their efforts are seen and valued.

Zoom

70% of remote workers can feel left out in the workplace. A remote-first team needs to connect and communicate regularly so everyone is on the same page. Zoom plays a crucial role in maintaining a cohesive and well-connected remote work environment. Zoom is a video conferencing and virtual meeting platform. Zoom facilitates virtual meetings, webinars, and collaboration through video and audio conferencing. It is essential for maintaining face-to-face communication in remote settings.

Symantec 

54% of IT professionals consider remote workers to pose a greater security risk than traditional workers. Cybersecurity solutions like Symantec for remote teams are essential to safeguard sensitive data, protect against potential breaches, and ensure the integrity of digital assets. 

Symantec offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity solutions tailored for remote teams. Symantec protects individual devices (endpoints) from malware, viruses, and other security threats. It ensures that devices used by remote workers are secure, reducing the risk of malware infections and other cyber threats. Symantec also provides security for cloud-based applications and data. It safeguards data and applications accessed or stored in the cloud, ensuring the security of remote work processes that rely on cloud services.

McAfee

McAfee offers a range of cybersecurity solutions to address various aspects of security, particularly in remote work environments. McAfee provides a fundamental layer of defense for remote devices, ensuring that they are protected against common types of malicious software. It detects and removes malware, including viruses and spyware. McAfee safeguards networks from unauthorized access, intrusions, and other security threats. It ensures that remote workers connecting to the corporate network do so securely, protecting against network-based attacks and unauthorized access.

Gather 

Water-cooler-style conversations are difficult to mimic in remote settings and may hinder the scope of casual interactions among team members. A tool like Gather has attempted to bridge this gap and make remote work more interesting. 

Gather is a virtual office platform designed to recreate the experience of physical office space. You can create and customize your virtual office layout, similar to a video game interface. This includes individual workspaces, common areas, and meeting rooms. It also allows for real-time interaction; team members can pick avatars, and 'walk' over to a colleague's virtual desk for a quick chat, just like in a real office. 

Gather integrates with tools like Zoom for meetings, enhancing the experience with a more interactive and engaging environment. Gather has enriched the team interaction experience by promoting a sense of togetherness and spontaneous communication, often missing in remote settings.

Key Takeaway

Productivity during remote work can be significantly enhanced through the presence of technological integration in various processes. Tech tools can be leveraged to maximize productivity and make work hassle-free. This blog delves into my selection of the top 10 tools to adopt if you are running a remote team. Clear communication, regular check-ins, and goal-setting can truly do wonders for your remote team. Apart from these essentials, remote-friendly tools come in handy in bridging all the other gaps.

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I’d love to know about your top picks for your remote team.

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