The pandemic situation forced the organizations to shift to remote working overnight. The change was particularly challenging for the small and mid-level businesses, many of whom couldn’t arrange the necessary tools to support their employees within such short notice. It seemed the world had come to a halt. But thanks to modern technology and advanced communication tools, it didn’t take us long to cope with these new challenges.
In fact, several studies conducted over the last few months suggest working from home increases the productivity of the non-essential workers. A paper published by Stanford University shows remote working resulted in a 13% performance increase among workers. Another recent survey conducted by McKinsey & Company says more than 50% of government and corporate employees in the US want to have the opportunity to work from their homes at least three days a week. Nearly one-third of the respondents reportedly said they want to work remotely full-time.
Although the corporate leaders are still not in consensus about the advantages of work from home, we can safely assume, the culture of remote work is here to stay. Here’s a list of some tech tools that optimize the productivity of remote workers and help in running the operations smoothly.
1. Organization and project management
Managing a remote team in various locations can be tough. Video calls alone are often not enough. Tools like Trello, Asana, or Nozbe help you assign tasks and monitor progress. Time tracking tools like Toggle Track and Clockify can also be used for better scheduling and accountability.
2. Cloud storage
Remote workers need anytime access to files. Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Blomp, and JustCloud provide this convenience. Be sure to choose secure services, especially when storing sensitive information.
3. Distraction blocker tools
Remote work increases the risk of distractions. Apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, and KeepMeOut help employees stay focused. Forest adds a creative twist by rewarding users for not using their phones. These tools support improved concentration and productivity.