Strike a Balance Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication
What is a Synchronous Task?
Brainstorming sessions or meetings, for instance, are synchronous by their very nature. These types of tasks require you and your colleagues to be available at the same time.
What is an Asynchronous Task?
For these tasks, you don’t all need to be working together at a set time. You can work on tasks like this whenever suits you, with non-immediate communication via emails or comments left on a messaging platform, for example.
Being in the office with colleagues makes direct communication and synchronous working easier.
Which of your tasks are best done synchronously or, on the other hand, asynchronously? I suggest you make a list, as this will help when it comes to working out your schedule.
Identify Your Working Tools
There are loads of different tools out there! I’ve listed some of them for you in this table.
Why not try out a few of them now?
Decide on Your Tools and How You’re Going to Use Them
Whether manager, colleague, or client, everyone uses communication tools that are suited to their specific needs.
If you want to use these collaborative tools, the first thing to consider is what you want to do, as this will dictate which tool you’ll use.
You Want to Communicate Regularly With Clients
It might be a good idea to find out what tools they use and consider using the same ones.
You Want to Communicate Internally, Outside of Email and Phone Calls
If you want clearer, more direct communication, you could use an instant messaging service from your smartphone or computer, such as Discord or Slack. With these, you can message just one person or the whole team, avoiding the dreaded email overload. In a single click, everyone is able to contribute, adding photos, PDFs, etc.
You Want to Record Videos
Then you’ll need Loom. Record your screen and your message, and share the video link. Often, it’s easier to talk than to type!
You Want to Manage a Project or a Team
You can organize tasks and manage collaborative projects using tools such as Trello, Monday, or Asana. You can organize who does what in tables that list tasks in the form of cards that are assigned to different users. This allows you to visualize your team working.
You Need to Build Rapport or Brainstorm With Others
Organize a video call and group participants together in virtual break-out rooms (this could be anything from a handful to hundreds of people). You can moderate live or record yourself in advance using tools such as Zoom, Skype, or Whereby.
Let’s Recap!
There are lots of tools available to you for producing, communicating, creating, or coordinating a team. Try them out and get familiar with how they work.
Select your tools according to your needs and the needs of your client or team.
There is no perfect tool. If you need to suggest one or several solutions, consider trying a few out and running them by your colleagues, your managers, and your IT services.
Now we’ve got you equipped, let’s take a closer look at remote meetings. 😊
