Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many companies opting to have at least some of their employees work remotely. This can be a great arrangement for both employees and employers, as it allows for increased flexibility and can often lead to increased productivity. However, managing a remote team can be challenging. It requires a different approach than managing a team that works in the same physical location.

One of the keys to successfully managing a remote team is having the right tools. In this post, we'll take a look at some of the best tools out there for managing remote teams.

Communication tools:

Remote communication can be a challenge, but with the right strategies and tools in place, it can also be highly effective. Regular communication is crucial for maintaining a sense of connection and keeping everyone on the same page. Set up a recurring schedule for team meetings, whether it's daily check-ins or weekly status updates. Make sure everyone is aware of the schedule and that meetings are required. Make it clear that everyone should come to the meeting prepared and with an update on what they have been working on. As an exclusively remote team for the past 20 years, GreenRope uses Zoom meetings to check in weekly with the entire company; we also encourage everyone to have their cameras on for a deeper, personal connection to the team.

Chat: Systems like Google Chat are popular messaging apps that allow teams to communicate in real time. It also has several integrations with other tools, such as Google Drive, Calendar, and Meet, which can be helpful for remote teams.
Zoom: Zoom is a video conferencing tool that allows team members to meet, and communicate face-to-face, even when they are physically apart. Check out GreenRope’s native zoom integration.
Skype: Skype is another video conferencing tool that is popular with remote teams. It also has the added benefit of being available on a wide range of devices, including smartphones and tablets

Project management tools:

Keeping track of tasks and projects can be difficult for any team, but it can be especially challenging for remote teams. When communicating about tasks and projects, it's important to be as clear and concise as possible to avoid confusion about tasks or tone. This can help prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone on the same page and that everyone continues to maintain a productive work environment with the help of a quality project manager. A reliable and organized project management tool keeps teams accountable and allows team members to see what is being worked on, progress, and hour it affects their timelines.

There are a number of tools that can help with this, including:

Project Manager: GreenRope’s project management tool allows teams to create different boards for different projects and tasks. It's a great tool for visualizing the progress and assigning tasks to team members in order to stay up-to-date on current projects and never miss due dates.
Kanban: GreenRope’s kanban board is another project management tool that allows teams to create tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. Collaborate easily by visualizing your teams’ tasks using the drag-and-drop board. Filter projects and show tasks in ways that work best for you.

Time-tracking tools:

Tracking the time that team members spend on tasks is important for any team, but it can be especially important for remote teams. A few tools that can help with this, include:

Task timer: GreenRope’s task time is a simple time-tracking tool that allows team members to track the time they spend on different tasks. It's a great tool for getting a sense of how much time is being spent on each task, and for identifying any areas where time might be being wasted.
Gantt Chart: GreenRope’s Gantt chart is another tool used to track time that is popular with remote teams. See all your projects in one place and how much time has been spent in each one and by who, all at a glance. Making it easy to manage your entire team and ensuring productivity is at an all-time high.

In conclusion, remote communication can be a challenge but by following the tactics mentioned above and being open to trying new tools and methodologies, teams can still work productively together while not being in the same physical space. Additionally, it's important to remember that communication is a two-way street, so it's important to actively listen and respond thoughtfully to ensure that everyone is on the same page no matter where they are located.

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The Best Tools to Manage Remote Teams

Communication tools:

Project management tools:

Time-tracking tools: