5 Tips to Boost Remote Work Productivity With Collaboration Tools

Remote work is the new thing. With more modern companies moving to work from home, and with telecommuting becoming a more common way for people to work remotely, remote workers are growing in numbers.

A Gallup study on the state of remote work finds that over 70 million Americans are shifting to remote work. So it's important for companies to find ways to keep their employees productive and happy. Work from home (WFH) can be challenging because of the lack of face-to-face communication, but there are several tools that can help you boost productivity.

If you're considering making this transition from inside to outside working environment here are 7 remote work productivity tips while you're cranking through those projects. 

1. Use the right tools for the right task

While physical offices are provided with the right equipment and amenities, remote workplaces also need the same considerations, but with several differences.

While remote workspaces can be less formal than traditional offices, they still need to have the right tools and equipment available. If you work from home often, it's important to invest in a good ergonomic chair that can support your back and neck while you sit for hours on end. The best chairs come with adjustable armrests and tilt control so that you can find just the right position. This will also help prevent problems like carpal tunnel syndrome or eye strain.

There are many tools that can help you accomplish your tasks, and it's important to use the right tool for the right job.

For example: If you need to write a blog post, use an online editor like Grammarly or Microsoft Word; if you have a big project coming up, using Trello or Asana can help you stay organized.

Remote workers need to find ways to stay connected and productive, which is why it's important to choose the right collaboration tools for the job. 

2. Help them build their remote collaborative workspaces

​Remote workers need to be able to work efficiently, effectively and safely in a virtual environment. Tools can help you do that by providing you with the right equipment, software, and amenities.

You can set up a dedicated work space in your home or office, but there are also several tools that can help you boost productivity from anywhere. Yes, you might already have some of the best collaboration software examples like Zoom, Microsoft Office, and Asana. But that's just one part of the entire WFH requirements.

You don't need a desk and a chair to get your tasks done, so here are some remote working tips and tools that will help you boost productivity.

• Laptop: If you're not a remote worker, chances are you need your laptop for everyday use. It's important to have a reliable laptop that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use. You also want one that has all the features you need, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB ports.
• Headphones or earbuds: If you're not alone in your home, it's important to keep the noise level down when working so as not to disturb others. You can choose from wireless and wired headphones or earbuds depending on what works best for you.
• A comfortable chair: The right chair can make all the difference when it comes to boosting productivity. A good ergonomic office chair will ensure that you are comfortable and supported while working, which means that you'll be able to focus on your work instead of feeling distracted by pain or discomfort.
• Desk lamp: A desk lamp can be a great tool to help you focus on your work, especially if you need to do it in the dark or dimly lit rooms.
• Headphones: If you're working with others, it's a good idea to use headphones so that they don't hear what you're listening to or watching on your computer.

3. Boost team productivity in a distributed team

A study finds that working remotely can be challenging, with 47% of WFH employees finding it difficult to manage at-home distractions. This is especially when you're part of a distributed team. However, there are several ways that you can boost productivity and make your work more effective.

If your company has employees who work remotely, you know how important it is to stay connected. Deploying the best remote working platforms can help keep the team in sync and productive. Here are some tips for boosting productivity in a distributed team:

• Have a dedicated project manager who is responsible for managing the work of the remote workers.
• Set up a virtual meeting space where you can host conference calls, share files and documents and communicate via messaging tools such as Slack (which also includes video conferencing).
• Use tools like Google Hangouts to hold meetings with employees who are not at their desk (or don't have access to one).
• Identify productivity killers in your remote team and address them as soon as possible.

Let's say you're handling remote marketing and sales teams and you need to create a sales strategy plan. To facilitate the strategic planning, you must provide them with robust tools such as CRM and customer support platforms. To choose the right CRM tool, for example, search at reliable online marketplaces and read unbiased, expert Salesforce, Hubspot, or Salesmate reviews. 

4. Build a culture of accountability

One of the biggest challenges of remote work is continuation of office productivity and task accountability outside the traditional workplace. You need to find ways to keep the team together and productive.

To build a culture of accountability, you have to set clear expectations for the team and hold them accountable for their actions. Here are some suggestions:

1. Make sure everyone on your remote team knows their specific responsibilities and what they're supposed to do when it comes to their responsibilities. For example, have a designer who only designs and a developer who only codes.
2. Set up weekly meetings where everyone on the team can talk about what they've done over the past week and what they're planning to do in the next one." You can't just walk over to your coworker's desk and ask them what they've done during the day. You have to rely on other forms of communication, like email or instant messaging.
3. To ensure that your remote team is accountable, set up weekly meetings where everyone on the team can talk about what they've done over the past week and what they're planning to do in the next one.

By building a culture of accountability and setting clear expectations, you can help your remote team stay focused on their goals. 

5. Keep everyone on the same page

 It's important to remember that remote teams are made up of real people, not just avatars on a screen. You need to establish a culture of accountability and setting clear expectations, you can help your remote team stay focused on their goals.

Make it clear how much time each person should spend working on their tasks each week, as well as what they should be doing with that time (e.g., designing, coding, etc.).

Create a clear vision for the company and communicate it clearly with all employees. It can be hard to keep your remote team on the same page, particularly when they are in different time zones. You need to use some of the best communication tools for remote teams.

In addition to setting clear expectations, you can help your remote team stay focused on their goals by keeping everyone on the same page.

One way to do this is by creating daily stand-up meetings where everyone on the team gets together for 15 minutes via video call and reports their progress for the day.

Develop Productive Remote Teams with the Right Collaboration Tools

While the remote team may not be the right fit for every company, it can be an effective way to grow your business. By setting clear expectations and creating a vision for your company, you can help ensure that your remote team is highly productive—and that they have fun doing it!