In the digital era where most of the work can be done remotely and asynchronously, certain tools are needed to track employees’ contribution and project updates. Today, companies and technologies are becoming as one – hand-to-hand collaboration is more observed.
Companies and institutions need further assistance from applications and software developed and specially designed to decrease manual labor, save time, and improve the quality and quantity of outputs.
With the rise of various AI-controlled applications and software, different tools that are extremely helpful in maintaining a productive and highly efficient workplace are also emerging profusely.
In particular, listed down below are some of the tools that will surely change how things are done in the workplace. These tools have various uses that range from monitoring work progress, delegating tasks, exchanging ideas, managing projects, setting appointments, taking notes, recording and storing data, up to providing feedback to both employee and employers’ performance and policy implementation.
1. Meeting Note Applications
Since the pandemic has struck the world, the dynamics in the workplace changed its way to adapt as well. One way to prove this lies in how conducting meetings have become different. For everyone’s convenience – bosses, supervisors, managers, colleagues, staff, discussing important agendas and meeting for updates have been done online.
On that account, several applications are designed to cater to the companies’ needs. Undeniably, in every meeting, details, important points, deadlines, delegation of tasks – all of these need to be taken notes of. It is necessary to have an easily accessible file for this information for the benefit of everyone.
Thus, meeting note applications are seen as one of fundamental tools every workplace should have! And these are some of the meeting note applications that will perfectly fit your proactive company!
MeetingBooster – Through MeetingBooster, one can expedite the meeting process and procedure as well as organize, codify, and format everything that has been discussed in the meeting.
Clover – This tool functions as a streamlined tool that combines a daily planner, a digital whiteboard, notes, and tasks into a single digital notepad. Infinite canvas, presentation settings, and the capability to embed rich media into notes are just a few of the solution’s impressive features that let colleagues connect with content from sites like YouTube, Figma, SoundCloud, and more.
Beenote – Beenote enables everybody included in the meeting to take collaborative notes, assign tasks, and make choices during meetings. These notes, tasks, and decisions are then immediately included in the meeting minutes which can then be shared and distributed to other people.
Tactiq – This software is a live caption recorder for Google Meet, Zoom and other video-conferencing software that enables one to conduct a meeting without difficulty allowing the user to concentrate on the meeting itself while knowing that the notes will be available when the meeting is over. Important points may even be highlighted and checked on the transcript once processed.
Zoho Notebook – This tool is an outstanding platform for taking notes. The application allows taking notes of teams on a platform that is constantly synced and backed up. Zoho Notebook features integrations with other applications such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams, in addition to checklists, the capability to upload media, include files, and sketch out designs.
2. Communication Tools
In every workplace, organization, company and institution, effective communication among its members and workers should be established. For a more productive environment and efficient labor, various tools for instant exchange of messages and even calls can really be useful in reaching out to others in the group.
Effective communication is indeed necessary. Collaboration’s value has not decreased. Effective communication is arguably more crucial than ever given the abundance of messages that are being sent from both the real world and the digital world.
To help with the workplace’s need for daily-basis communication and collaboration, here are the communication tools that will surely not disappoint to serve its purpose:
Connectteam – This has to be the best communication software solution for deskless workers and remote teams that work for companies of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Key features include: in-app chat, employee directory, company social feed, surveys & live polls.
Slack – From small to enterprise level business, Slack has so much to offer for a more manageable and active interaction between teams and departments. It allows instant messaging, voice and video calls, creating workflow builder, channels, inter-organizational collaboration, file sharing, and even project archives.
Zoom – Mainly used by individuals who might either be a student or a worker, Zoom is a voice and video conferencing application allowing real-time communication between and among participants. Screen sharing, file sharing, chat feature, cloud storage for recordings, and video webinar support are some of its prominent features.
Skype – Similar to Zoom, Skype is also known for its HD video conferencing feature. However, it also has an integrated instant messaging feature, phone subscriptions, free Skype-to-Skype calls, SMS messaging, call forward, voicemail, screen sharing, and call recording.
3. Scheduling Applications
Considering the fast-paced nature of companies and workplaces, most of the time, setting appointments and schedules take too much time. Figuring out the calendar, listing every booking and making sure that no schedule overlaps with one another – all these can be a source of stress and may even cause disruption in the workplace.
Manually overseeing and recording the operations of managing appointments can be a laborious process. One mistake could lead to a domino effect, affecting one set schedule after one. Aside from setting the schedule itself, obviously, details and other important information must be sent to the client, customer or colleague for reference and assurance of the appointment confirmation.
That said, as follows are some of the most used applications when dealing with managing schedules, bookings and appointments.
Calendly – Calendly is a leader in scheduling apps with a history of providing solutions to business owners around the world. Simply create calendar rules and share the link to the scheduling page, clients can start setting up their appointments then. They will only see the times available, and only the length and type of meeting to be made. Calendly automates administrative tasks like sending reminder emails and follow-ups as well.
Bookafy – With Bookafy, every scheduling scenario is possible. It enables scheduling one-on-one meetings, team meetings with a single customer, group gatherings, and even one-time and ongoing appointments. The user decides how to handle client requests for meetings. Automatic detection of time zones is also available on this app to ensure that even if not on the same locations, attendees can guarantee their attendance.
SimpleBook.me – This one is specifically recommended for international businesses. SimplyBook.me can schedule appointments to help potential clients/customers easily book time for a meeting. Intended for global reach, appointments can be made in 14 languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean. SimplyBook’s interface displays all of your services, providers and available times. Clients can immediately find what they are looking for, whether it’s to make an appointment, sign up for a class or enroll in a membership.
Appointlet – Appointlet is another scheduling app that offers unlimited bookings across multiple languages. This includes languages like Italian, Dutch, German, English, and more. Appointlet updates both the company’s and customers’ calendars when appointments are set. Any device can use Appointlet, allowing customers to book appointments from anywhere. The program also recognizes and takes into account various time zones.
4. Feedback Tools
Agencies need a better understanding of how content, fulfilled, challenged, and devoted employees are in order to increase employee engagement. They also require a system for gathering feedback and monitoring issues and satisfaction over time. Only with this knowledge can management address problems, implement changes, and raise employee engagement levels within their organization.
Because of the pervasive problem with employee satisfaction, many organizations are refocusing on corporate culture and conducting employee engagement studies. They want to keep valuable employees once they find them, especially in this day and age when top talent has countless places to set up shop and establish a career.
How personally invested employees are in their work is determined by an employee engagement survey. Responses to surveys can show how engaged, motivated, and contented employees are with their jobs and with one another as a whole. Thus, feedback serves as a guide for enhancing corporate culture, staff retention and evaluating employees’ performance as well.
In line with that, here are the tools to help with the process of giving and gaining feedback in the workplace:
OfficeVibe – Officevibe collects detailed feedback from one’s team not only to determine what the employees may be dissatisfied with, but also where there are opportunities to boost the team’s productivity. The tool also includes a custom polling option that can be used to find out how your team feels about various projects you might host throughout the year.
TinyPulse – With TinyPulse, creating employee pulse surveys is made easy so that you are aware of how engaged and content your team members are. Although employee feedback is presented anonymously, the survey tool analyzes staff responses and managers can pull insightful reports by teams. Employees can also “cheer” their coworkers to show their appreciation and send suggestions for changes to the business and its policies.
Energage – This feedback platform is dedicated to enhancing the company culture. The tool’s three methods of engaging with employees are survey, connect, and coach. Employees can follow up with the staff after asking for their feedback based on their insight to find out how to match employees’ needs with company’s needs and set goals..
These tools do not exist for nothing. They serve their purpose and ultimately have proven their relevance in producing and tending to the companies’ needs. Utilizing online tools and software to improve work productivity and ensure that everyone is collaborating is definitely a game-changer in today’s digitalization.