10 tools to help you work remotely
I’ve spent quite a bit of time recently looking at how many Assistants are now working remotely or with a remote boss, and I can tell you many of you are managing this new way of working. It is pretty much the norm now, so I thought I would share with you 10 tools to help you work remotely.
These 10 tools to help you work remotely are also super useful in an office environment but come into their own when you are not in constant contact with your Executive or your team.
Slack is fast becoming the number one tool for collaboration among teams. It allows you to forgo email for a more informal chat environment. With many integrations, it is easy to see why so many offices are adopting this technology. For remote workers, this is an easy way to stay updated with projects and easily contact your colleagues.
Every remote worker must know where to find the nearest wifi point. Yes, it is great if you have a home office set up with super duper wifi, but many of us sometimes like to head out into the big world and work from a cafe. This app quickly identifies the nearest Wi-Fi point so you can grab a coffee and see other people!
I love Zoom because it is easy to use and always works without a hitch. It is an online video-conferencing software that allows you to make a quick video-conferencing call. You can also use Zoom to arrange large-scale meetings and webinars. For the basic set-up, it is free.
What I love about Google Docs is the ability to work on a document in real time, so if your Executive is in the office and you are at home, you can both sit in front of the same document and make changes to it in real-time. Which means no more back and forth over email.
5. Figureitout Chrome Extension
Another favourite of mine. You can use this extension as your homepage so that you always know when your remote workers live or work from different parts of the world. This makes setting up the right meeting at the right time easy.
Another go-to product for project management and tracking tasks with remote workers. Trello is again the leading collaboration tool for small to medium-sized businesses, so well worth taking a look at if you are not familiar with this tool.
7. iDoneThis
This is a great tool if you want to (or your Executive wants to) keep an eye on what your remote team are doing and what they have accomplished.
My favourite cloud storage system. If you work remotely or your Executive does, you must have access to a cloud storage system. Dropbox is so easy to use and set up and secure.
Working remotely can make it difficult to know how things are going and if the staff are happy. This tool is designed to get quick feedback on how remote workers feel about their roles and happiness level. This is a great tool if your Executive doesn’t have much face-to-face time with you or their team.
Last but not least a tool that makes you stop and take a break during the day. When you work remotely, it can be easy to work and work. This tool makes you take a break!
To be successful remote Assistants, we must embrace these new tools and use them to our advantage. It’s much easier said than done, but it is possible with the right strategies and resources-like, like the 10 tools mentioned in this blog post. As Assistants, we must continue learning and growing; taking courses to develop our skills can provide invaluable insights into managing our time more efficiently and staying productive when the demands are high. Whether working with someone in person or remotely, investing time in developing your skills will impact your career. Consider enrolling in our Productivity and Time Management Online Course for Assistants to dive further into making your work days more efficient.
