effective team communication Archives

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Working as a team is important for any organization to reach the goals within minimal time frame. However, all members of a team may not be working from a single office but may be scattered in many parts of the globe.

This can be really challenging when it comes to collaboration including team communication, work flow and project management. There are many online collaboration tools available now which can be really handy during these times.

Whether it is file sharing, documentation, design or even organized remote communication, there are specific tools that can make the job easy and more organized.

Are you looking for amazing online collaboration tools to enhance your team productivity? Then have a look at this huge list of the top rated tools for the job.

1.Yammer

Collaborating across locations, departments and business apps is no more a problem as this private social network can be handy. You can create groups and share posts. All what you need to access your venture’s Yammer network is an email id from the particular company’s domain.

2. Asana

All employees of your team can log on to this cloud platform, provided they have a WiFi connection. This project management tool lets you have an overview of all current projects and the three panel dashboard lets you access any data of a particular project.

3. Slack

Remote teams can make use of this power house messaging app to improve their communication. It comes with numerous bots and powerful integrations and operates in channels. Tracking and archiving conversations will be easy through channel options.

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4. LiquidPlanner

This project management tool is particularly designed to help technology teams. Tool’s flexibility is the key and team can use it to collaborate seamlessly, organize projects in a better way and track time taken for completion of projects.

5. Skype

This is one of the most common communication tools used by business professionals for its awesome features and free accessibility. Audio and video calls can be made despite the type of devices used on both sides. Group call feature can be a good help during group discussions on projects remotely.

6. Airtable

Creating and editing of databases can be done in a better way with this project management tool. You can easily sort out project elements by organizing information in tables. Collaboration is well supported as it allows creating and saving custom views.

7. Hipchat

Your team collaboration can be made more efficient with this private hosted chat service. Unlike group chat, this tool allows for collaborating tasks and docs by uploading it according to individual convenience. Video chat feature can be initiated from any device allowing you to communicate with the team on the go.

8. Basecamp

This project management tool is ideal for smaller business teams to manage their work decently. This very affordable software is powerful but comes with simple and easy to use features. The tool has a very minimal learning curve.

9. Google Hangouts

If your venture is on a budget, you can go for Google Hangouts to help you move on. Hangouts on Air allow you to record the Hangout so that you can view it later on your convenience. The privacy feature lets you to hide the public display of Hangouts.

10. Confluence

This wiki platform lets you to share and upload documents and create pages for your team. It features an internal documentation library and an easy-to-use interface. It also features good storage and search capabilities to effectively manage data on past, present and future projects.

11. GoToMeeting

Hosting a meeting with your customers or colleagues is a lot easier than you think if you choose to use GoToMeeting.You can simply launch a meeting from anywhere despite whether it is instant messaging or emails and features one click recording.

12. Soapbox

It is a user friendly screen recording tool known for its ease of use. Its option to simultaneously do webcam recording and screen recording makes it a unique option. During editing, you can add transitions and share video via a thumbnail in any web page through a link.

13. Invision

The design collaboration with your team can be made easy with this enterprise grade prototyping tool. From uploading designs to gathering feedbacks, everything related to design can be made remotely. In fact, projects can be managed from a single dashboard.

14. GanttPRO

This is a user friendly web-based project planning tool which is designed to work on the basis of Gantt charts. Its intuitive UX/UI design makes anyone an advanced user of the software in merely few minutes. It comes with a resource management feature and you can create and assign task to individuals.

15. LastPass

This online password manager lets you track the many numbers of passwords and usernames needed for your project with ease. There is no limit for number of passwords that can be stored and provide syncing option across devices

16. Concept Inbox

This is a comprehensive visual design collaboration tool that helps to manage project designs remotely. It keeps track of versions and enables everyone to keep up the speed. With email notifications and in-context annotations, the app allows real time feedback on prototypes.

17. Filestage

This user friendly collaboration application is a good option to streamline the review and approval processes and improves internal and external communication. The tool helps you to get feedback from clients on desired documents and enhance the quality of conversations based on feedbacks.

18. Google Docs

Collaborating, editing, sharing and publishing any kind of documents with remote teams is easy with Google Docs. Creating spreadsheets, presentations or blog posts are a lot easy with this tool. All these can be done free of cost.

19. Cage

This tool for smaller business and teams allows sharing of files with customers in an easy and more organized way.Assigning and managing tasks are made simpler and visual comments can be made on the design making the project more interactive.

20. Sketch

It is a comprehensive tool for UX design deliverables aiding web design professionals. Designers can simply create a design once and use it whenever needed in future. Flexible design elements can be made with nested symbols.

21. Prevue

Creating beautiful presentations with your clients or customers is no more a big deal if you use Prevue. In fact, presenting the project and getting the client feedback is almost possible in real time with this app.

22. WebEx

Managers who host the meeting with their remote employees can use this tool to share their desktop with them easily. It features face-to-face live video option and even the control of keyboard and mouse can be transferred to any presenters if desired.

23. Office Online

Startups looking for a quality tool for basic documentation and editing can go for this free version of Microsoft’s original Office suite. Even when there are some limitations when compared to paid version, you can get the best out of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Onenote for free.

24. Usersnap

This bug tracking software enables your team to report bugs in the browser. The time for communication can be reduced as it can be seamlessly integrated with existing workflows. Feedbacks for website prototypes and design drafts can be easily made.

25. Etherpad

This is a comprehensive collaborative editing tool that works in real time which is available for free. This Open Source online editor is highly customisable and clients and customers can write and edit the documents in same time.

26. SugarSync

In addition to taking back up of your file, SugarSync allows you to maintain even the folder structure unlike many similar tools. This helps to know exactly where your desired files are and access it pretty easily.

27. Google Drive

Easy and quick organization of files is possible with this awesome tool and you can share the desired files with your team anytime. You can store up to 15 GB of files for free including any digital files and team can access it from any device.

28. Nimble

With this tool, your social media contacts and address book can be combined into a CRM solution for sales and marketing. It features group messaging options and provide insights into who has clicked or opened the messages.

29. OneDrive

This is one of the top class file sharing tools from Microsoft which offers 5 GB for free and another 50GB if you pay. This comes pre-installed on Windows 10 which is compatible with all devices. Accessing and sharing files is allowed despite PC, Mac, Android, and iOS.

30. ProofHub

This comprehensive tool enables your team to stay more productive at work as it offers anything and everything required to plan and run the projects. You can even set dependencies on tasks in addition to adding people and assigning roles of team members.

31. Dropbox

Syncing your work is a lot easy with Dropbox despite the type of device used or where you are. The business version of the tool offers 1 terabyte space and comes with additional features like higher sharing limits and priority email support.

32. Red Pen

The visual teams can find RedPen as a really handy fast feedback tool. It allows you to receive feedback from your team and your thinking can be explained through clicks and points. Feedback from clients can be received through private links.

33. MediaFire

This is one of the simple storage and file sharing platforms with user friendly features. Even when it doesn’t offer any high end features which makes the tool complex, it serves the purpose of the actual file sharing needs to run a project decently.

34. Zoho

This is a mixture of project collaboration tools allowing clients or customers to come together and execute planning and related works all from a single place. The tool enables you to create project workspaces that help to work as a team despite their geographical location.

35. Chanty

Seamless collaboration and communication is practical with this business messenger which is powered by AI. The handy file sharing and unlimited searchable history with instant messages can make small teams to go more productive. It features voice transcripts and audio and video calls.

36. Podio

This powerful project management tool lets managers to run their businesses smoothly despite whether their team members belong to which all countries or time zones. They can easily have a look on their daily tasks or even see how productive their working days are.

37.Zoom

This awesome tool lets managers to perform online training and demos and collaborate virtually. It enables you to share your screen, web pages or photos and cloud content. It even comes with a white board feature and group messaging options.

38. Trello

This web-based project management tool lets managers to organize the projects using cards. The cards are organized on a board and each column signifies a part of the project. This lets you to have a glimpse on the board and check on project status.

39. join.me

This simple online meeting tool is a great option to work with remote teams with file sharing and screen sharing options. It is browser-based and so assures user friendliness and features audio and video conferencing options. All you want is a session ID on join.me to join a conference.

40. Wrike

With Wrike, you can take project management to a different level as it lets you to effectively break heavy tasks into simple goals and manageable units. Data reading is possible for analysing the time and money invested on each project and lets you easily track individual performance to the team.

41. Teamviewer

It is a comprehensive tool for telecommuting, collaboration and IT support. With just a password, admin program can even allow reverse sharing so that client can access admin computer. One can even run a portable version of TeamViewer without installation.

42. Stormboard

The digital workspace of this tool let you to minimize the number of meetings and track the progress of projects seamlessly. The tool enables you to do anything from planning a project, assigning tasks to employees, holding a meeting to setting goals, deadlines, and milestones.

43. Zipboard

Teams handling web related projects can use this visual platform for easy collaboration. Automatic updates are sent to team if a problem is reported or resolved. Screenshots of prototypes can be uploaded and feedback can be provided by team.

44. Bitbucket

This is one of the large and software repository platforms for effective project management. The tool was designed by Atlassian which justifies its popularity and it offers unlimited private repositories. With this tool, collaborating on projects is really easy for developers within enterprises.

45. GoVisually

This tool for designers is particularly meant for freelancers and small business teams to share their creative work. Receiving recommendations and feedbacks from clients is possible without the need of any logs. It lets you design files and work on multiple projects with your team from a single place.

46. SimpleMDE

This free to use simple markdown editor is flexible to suit your specific needs. It comes with a subset of the HTML features with all the basic editing options needed during the project processing.

47. Codepen

This awesome software tool comes with the tag line “A playground for the front end web.” You can just start off the tool for free and may upgrade to higher versions for pro features. Finding inspiration or design pattern examples for your project and try building a test case for a bug is practical with this tool.

48. Clickhelp

This browser-based documentation tool enables project managers to set up and publish FAQ tutorials or user manuals with ease. It comes with a range of pre-built templates with diverse themes. It allows integration with Google Analytics and offer support for Meta tags.

49. Mailbird

This email client for Windows makes your online communication more seamless. Other messenger platforms can be managed well as it allows third party integrations. It is known for its ease of use as the app can be learnt within 5 minutes.

50. Gitlab

This web based git repository service lets teams to secure projects on a more minute level and assures safety of projects while team is working on it. It is written in the Ruby language and comes with stand out branch protection, permissions and authentication features.

51. Moqups

This web-based wireframing solution is flexible in nature and allows managers to approach a project in a better way. The project workflow can be revolutionized using its powerful prototyping features. The interaction between assets and elements of a project can be done without switching apps.

Keep this awesome list of online collaboration tools as a check list which might help you whenever you are finding it challenging to collaborate with your team.

Even when a good collaboration tool can add a lot of value to your team success, choosing the right tool that serves your actual purpose is the key.

For that you will have to spend some quality time on discussing the pros and cons of the tools in question and analyze how it will help you in betterment.

Even when a good collaboration tool can add a lot of value to your team success, choosing the right tool that serves your actual purpose is the key. For that you will have to spend some quality time on discussing the pros and cons of the tools in question and analyze how it will help you in betterment.

Always consider tools that offer multiple features so that your team can use tool in various possible ways. And a Cloud-based technology can be preferred as you need not worry about the version controls.

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Every successful person or an entrepreneur has his or her own ways of functioning often with a specific routine on a daily basis.

In-fact each one of us has our own routine in our daily life no matter how good or bad they are.

If you give a close watch to the daily routine based habits of highly successful entrepreneurs, you will notice that they start their day on a specific manner and as the day advances they behave and act in the same manner which normally do not change.

For example, most successful entrepreneurs are early risers; they do not lazily go on sleeping late in the morning as most of us do.

Similarly, almost all successful entrepreneurs regularly do exercise in the morning.

As we talk of best practices they are the people with strong will power and determination. They often see a specific aspect through a different perspective which very few of us do.

They follow strict time table but never neglect giving sufficient time to the people they are engaged with.

The point of talking about the habits of highly successful entrepreneurs here is these habits or best practices or best qualities contribute them in their journey to become successful entrepreneurs and often they openly admit this.

Here are a few best practices and best habits of highly successful entrepreneurs:

1) They necessarily dream but never day dream

Almost all influential entrepreneurs are great dreamers or visionaries. They spend a lot of their time in thinking but they never waste their time just on abstract imagination.

In the words of Gloria Steinem “Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.”

This is one of the most incredible habits of highly successful entrepreneurs every struggling entrepreneur should follow.

2) They are normally early risers

One of the most common habits of highly successful entrepreneurs is they get up early in the morning.

Most influential entrepreneurs take a glass of clean water or any other liquid drink as soon as they wake up and they continue this hydration practice all through the day.

Early morning is the best time for peaceful and creative thinking which helps the successful entrepreneurs chalk out innovative strategies for their ventures.

3) Regular exercise

It is beyond debate that regular exercise is the best habits of highly successful entrepreneurs as well as useful for anyone who wishes to have a good health along with an active and energetic life.

It may not look important but it is normally found that eminent leaders and successful entrepreneurs generally have smart and youthful physical features even at a later period of age like at their 50s or 60s or even more than that.

Obviously, it is because they never fail their routine exercise at any cost.

4) They are never frustrated; they are ever optimistic

We all know what the famous Helen Keller has said: “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us”.

Never think that the entrepreneur who has become an icon to-day was an expert from the beginning.

In-fact all successful entrepreneur those we see at the top of the sky today are one day or other started their journey of struggle empty handed with lots of failures and harassments.

One of the most important habits of highly successful entrepreneurs is that they never get frustrated but always optimistic in all their struggles and strife.

This makes them succeed in any of their attempts to establish an enduring and successful venture.

5) They are never alone; they are always in a team

Any person of eminence is normally seen in the center of a crowd, and the crowd around a leader is generally his team.

Successful entrepreneurs internalize the importance of a team and the limitations of lonely and centralized ventures.

For them, their team is not their obedient assistants or people under their command. Rather they take their team as collaborators and friends who are responsible for their flourishing business.

They trust and respect their team members, and appreciate when the team succeeds, and encourage when the team fails.

These habits of highly successful entrepreneurs maintain close relationship with their team members resulting in sincere and faithful efforts and hard work of the entire team working out a successful business entrepreneurship in a long run.

6) They are elastic and flexible

Successful entrepreneurs are never rigid; they are elastic and very flexible in all their dealings, and approaches.

They agree to disagree in their decision making processes.

Their openness to acceptance of new ideas helps them take risks and engage in innovative ventures.

Many entrepreneurs even go to the extent of opening themselves to criticism even though it is hurting and sometimes an issue of self-esteem.

This is obviously painful, but in the words of Richard Branson – “my biggest motivation?

Just to keep challenging myself. I see life almost like one long university education that I never had—everyday I’m learning something new”.

7) They are often smiling and humorous

We often think that eminent entrepreneurs are very serious people and we are normally scared of facing them.

This is actually not true. It is because they know that “smile” can win over anybody and any situation how irritable it might be.

In-fact humor makes all heavier tasks lighter.

Smiling and humorous people are easily approachable which turns the competitors to friends and collaborators.

To be smiling and humorous is actually not a trick but a habit to win over even your enemies.

8) They highly respect punctuality

One of the key habits of highly successful entrepreneurs is they are not only strictly punctual but help and guide others to be punctual.

Influential entrepreneurs are often very punctual in all their day to day activities right from their rising from the bed in the morning to getting to sleep in the night.

However, over punctuality may be exceptional and may not be applicable as far as habits of highly successful entrepreneurs is concerned because they are at the same time elastic and flexible in the context of the situations they are in.

9) They are systematic

It has been noticed that the life living and ways of approach of the influential entrepreneurs are very systematic and formal.

They love systematic arrangement of their belongings in their office, work places, as well as in the residences.

This helps them maintain decorum and saves considerable time in finding required things.

A systematically arranged atmosphere ensures peace and happiness of the people dwelling or working there. And peaceful and happy environment leads towards progress and success.

10) They are workaholics but also keep free time for them

There is no doubt that successful entrepreneurs are hard workers but at the same time they understand the need and value of relaxation and free time.

That is the reason flourishing entrepreneurs are seen in clubs and merry making places which neutralizes their pressure of over work and provides them relaxation.

11) They understand the necessity of sleep

The eminent entrepreneurs are found keen on having sufficient sleep which shows that they very well understand the necessity of sleep after a stressful long day of hard work.

It cannot be said that “early to bed” is one of their habits, but they know that whatever the time they give for sleep is sufficient for the rest of their body and mind.

The bottom line of the entire 11 discourses articulated above as the popular habits of highly successful entrepreneurs are but a few of the good habits of influential entrepreneurs.

Their numerous habits both visible and non-visible to public are factors of great contributions to their success, there is no doubt; and that is why we follow them.

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Wifi Attendance Super Admin

Communication is an inevitable element for building and maintaining a positive and working place.

Of course, ineffective communication brings in just the opposite results.

Assuring proper work place communication is not just the role of team managers or leaders but a joint effort from the whole team.

However, the leaders should take initiatives to bring in inevitable changes in the whole work place scenario that paves the way for a better working environment.

Applying some strategies can help team managers to improve the communication at work place and thus enjoy the following success. Let us have a look at some of the key strategies that might help you.

1. Giving undivided attention

Whether you are in the one to one conversation or group meeting, giving undivided attention is the key to a quality conversation. Diverting the attention to something else kills the flow of communication and people easily tune away.

Keeping focused to what you are discussing and maintaining eye contact makes the conversation live. It prompts everyone to stay with you.

2. Mastering body language

Non-verbal work place communication adds a lot of value, especially for team managers. Your body language can make a noticeable impact on how the people around perceive your words.

Make sure that your gestures are open and approachable.

Ensure a positive physical presence. See that you keep up an upright posture throughout the conversation.

3. Creating communication-friendly space

In addition to the quality content of your meeting, delivering it in a communication friendly space is equally important.

The team members should be able to express freely without a second thought.

Make the conversation live by asking questions and challenging ideas. Also encourage social interactions to build good relations with colleagues.

4. Taking time to listen

Monopolizing the conversation has to be avoided at any cost. You may even take a halt just to check for understanding and ask for questions.

This makes everyone in the meeting a part of the conversation and they stay more focused.

Communication is always a two way process in which you pass your message but at the same time listen the other side.

Also Read: How to Build a Better Company Culture

9. Arranging open forum meetings

Communication should not be just limited to weekly or monthly closed room meetings.

Take initiatives to set up open forum meetings where employees get a chance to share their worries, ideas and concerns freely.

Also make provision for post-it notes where employees can ask questions and share the challenges they are facing anonymously in case they are shy to talk in public.

10. Following up with writing notes

It is quite difficult for the meeting participants to remember each and every point you discussed during the meeting. So following up the conversation with notes is very important to make the communication complete.

A bulleted point email will be a wise move .

11. Being authentic while conversing

More authentic conversations at work place can make a notable impact.

Don’t ever try to dominate the listener during a conversation and impose what you are saying thinking it as ultimate truth.

The best thing to do is to talk freely without a preconception and let the listener express his thoughts. Give them the freedom to express their views openly on what you say.

12. Asking for employee feedbacks

Work place communication is always complete if it is two way.

Give them a chance to give their feed backs about you as a manager on a regular basis so that you can improve on it and they get a sense of belonging.

Also let everyone communicate their thoughts while sending company wide emails announcing some changes or setting new goals.

13. Inform and inspire

A better communication should always be the right mix of information and inspiration.

Take some time before the meeting or conversation to see that the content of your meet not only educates them but inspires them too.

See that your ideas are explained and clarified in a tactful way where the employees get inspired for a better show at work than just listening to what you are saying.

14. Incorporating team building games

Some employees will always take a step back when communication is made an optional element.

However, having team building games once in a while will help them to come out of such barriers and they would be encouraged to speak up.

Communicating with the people you know becomes more comfortable.

15. Setting up weekly or monthly 1:1s

Some people would prefer to open up about their ideas or concerns only in a private set up.

That is why it is important to arrange a weekly or monthly 1:1s where they can express themselves without a barrier.

This is the best time to analyze if the resources and time is enough. You can also discuss on current priorities, upcoming goals & change in strategies.

16. Having outside office get together

See that you take some time out of your busy schedule for outside the office get together.

This is the time to build relationships.

Let it be a team lunch or dinner or a one day outing where you keep away all your work and just relax and enjoy with your colleagues.

You can celebrate achievements or milestones of your colleagues through a small party.

17. Including face to face work place communication

With the advancement in technology, workplace is hugely dependent on tools like slack and email for communication.

Even when you use these tools for easy communication remotely, it cannot replace the significance of face to face communication.

Make sure that you arrange personal communication at least once in a month or in worst case a quarter for better connectivity.

For freelancers who are working remotely, at least arrange a video call conversation rather than just normal calls which doubles the impact.

Moreover, you have to build up a foundation first where employees feel free to talk to you with trust and avoid making quick assumptions.

If you are working with a small team, learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses can help you to make better conversations.

The role of a manager even includes setting tone for the meetings to offering constructive feedback in a thoughtful way.

Good communication at work place keeps the work flow transparent and each member of the team feels their importance which apparently results in better results.