COLLABORATION TOOLS MUST-HAVE FOR BUSINESSES

Article by: Ogechukwu Ejim

As a contemporary organization develops, the same should be said for employee communication. Collaboration tools are no more just befitting but are compulsory to promote employees' effectiveness as they assist employees to work together forward-looking and collaboratively.

Collaboration tools also known as team collaboration tools are software programs or platforms that aid organizations and their employees to organize their innovative procedures, and work together more productively. They aid in delegating assignments and providing an update on progression and reports when finished. They naturally enhance workflow and communication, both internally and externally.

Collaboration tools cover four primary functions; Instant messaging, Video conferencing, Project management, and File sharing. Some software has one or more as its core functions. Collaboration tools are most effective when each software can be integrated.

Collaboration tools allow teammates to see who they are working with, and know who has finished and what they need to work on better. It allows them to access assignments, and refer to corrections and new ideas. Everything needed for an assignment to be a success is made available through collaboration tools.

?Some of the must-have collaboration tools for businesses are;

Microsoft Teams

One of the greatest and most used collaboration tools is the Microsoft teams. Microsoft teams is an integrative software platform that allows teams to stay in contact with one another as well as perform work-related assignments.

Microsoft Office is not always the initial tool to think of when it comes to Collaboration, but it now acts as the main function of the Microsoft 365 cloud-based office suite. Microsoft Office is likely to be at the heart of many organizations.

Microsoft Office 365 offers several advantages including the ability of teams to collaborate straightforwardly on a set of documents. This could vary from works shifts in an Excel spreadsheet, a document written in Word, or a presentation in PowerPoint. Some of the key features of Microsoft teams include;

·???Live meeting captions

·???Collaborative editing

·???File sharing and co-authoring of documents

·???Can be used with windows, Mac, Android and IOS, and many more.

Zoom

Zoom is one of the most predominant collaboration tools around the globe. It is a video conferencing platform with strong collaboration characteristics and team communication tools. Some of the key features include;

·???Zoom chat for direct and group messages.

·???Zoom Meetings can be taken down and automatically transcribed for better and easier documentation.

·???It has features that urge interactive meetings some of which include poll taking, raising of hands, and many more.

·???Allows calls of 40 minutes and 100 participants.

Slack

Slack is a collaboration tool with millions of users around the world. Slack has instant messaging and file sharing characteristics that enable an adjustable, innovative and comprehensive team. It keeps all the employees linked together to information and also to one another. Some of the key characteristics include;

·???You can chat and ping concepts, files, and, emojis.

·???It allows you to share your screen, and to employ the use of polls to involve the team in quick decision-making.

·???It also allows you to know the situation of your teammates

·???Customers and guests from other organizations can use the platform when invited.

·???Communication is through instant and direct messaging, voice calls, and video calls.

Flock

Flock is an online collaboration tool that is very similar to slack although less difficult but tenders more thorough communication tools. It provides a shared place for all cross-functional work. Some of its key features include;

·???It is free to use

·???It has neat productivity tools

·???Voice and video calling

·???Opportunity to invite visitors from other organizations.

Other collaboration tools include; Flowdock, GoToMeeting, Monday.com, Asana, Trello, Wrike, and many more. As more teams work remotely collaboration tools enhance effectiveness, Increase innovativeness, and ensure what all employees need to do and when.?