Remote working is becoming popular across many industries, especially for modern employees. Freelancers tend to have flexible schedules, are considered more productive, and do not have to commute almost daily. According to recent research by OWL Labs, 18% of employees prefer to have a full-time mobile profession because they want to save more money and have better focus. The survey also shows that most businesses do not cover costs associated with operating from home.
As a result, to succeed and be productive when working outside a corporate office, you must have the right gadgets. So many tech solutions make it easier to have a successful career even when you are a digital nomad. That is why we have selected the top 5 essential tools for remote workers.
Slack
This is one of the top communication tools for employee engagement. It makes it easier to converse with fellow employees or members of a project. It is compatible with various devices, including Windows, iOS, Android, and Mac OS, and multiple teams can have access to a single user account. Slack has two channels: private and public. The public channel enables all members to access and participate in posted content. On the other hand, the private channel will be accessed by specific people. You can also use this app to send private messages to a particular person.
Trello
This app is ideal for project management as it allows you to create boards and lists for tasks. Trello also enables employees to discuss tasks or ongoing projects in real time. With this tool, you can choose to have the individual plan, which is ideal for small-sized units or the business plan, suitable for medium-sized teams that participate in the same organization or project. Trello allows you to organize almost anything, including managing work projects. It also helps to organize your day and get a birds-eye view of things that need to get done.
Google Docs
If you are a freelance writer, then Google Docs is excellent, especially when you want your editor, client, or supervisor to “edit my essay.” You can write any post in the comfort of your home, and your editor or mentor can use the comment section to improve your writing skills. It is also compatible with mobile devices so you can do your writing on the go. Remember, large documents tend to slow down the loading time, so it is best to divide your content into chapters.
Toggl
Does your company require you to report your daily activities? Then you need a time tracking tool such as Toggl. With this app, a remote worker can stay accountable for what they do each day. It even has a tracking reminder to prompt you to get things done. By clicking on the time button on Toggl, you will be able to find out which projects are taking a lot of time and those bringing in more money. If you tend to bill your clients by the hour, then this time tracking app will make your life less hectic.
Since the modern workforce is much more fluid, increasing employee engagement reduces turnover and improves retention. One of the safest ways to avoid the turnover problem is to encourage career growth by connecting people with your network. LinkedIn is a great app to have when you want to build a personal network.
A significant number of professionals and experts in your industry are likely to have LinkedIn profiles, so get in touch with them as it can help build your career. Remember, your connections in LinkedIn should add value to your network. So opt for quality over quantity and participate in regular conversation to nurture the people in your circle.
Flock
No need to be limited by only one communication tool. Flock is another excellent business messenger app for chatting about work-related stuff and making quick decisions. This app also facilitates efficiency and productivity as it allows any remote worker to communicate with other team members via video calls and chats. Unlike the free version of Slack which offers video conferencing for only two users, Flock allows up to 20 users. For privacy messaging, Slack has that advantage as Flock promotes transparency.
There are various tech gadgets that are changing remote work, especially for full-time or part-time employees. Therefore, as freelancing becomes common, you will need to have essential apps with easy-to-use interfaces for chatting, time management, project management, and video chats. With the above tools, any person working in a non-traditional office setting can be productive.
