{"id":51018,"date":"2020-04-09T08:45:38","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T15:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/?p=51018"},"modified":"2020-04-09T08:45:38","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T15:45:38","slug":"the-best-tools-for-working-remotely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Tools for Working Remotely"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tools for Staying Organized<\/h4>\n

For collaborating on documents, spreadsheets, or presentations, nothing beats Google\u2019s suite<\/a> of cloud computing. There’s a free or business version and it’s available anywhere. But even a simple and elegant solution may require training for teams that aren\u2019t used to working remotely. Just because you understand it, don\u2019t assume that people know how to adjust settings to track their edits, for example, rather than editing a document directly.<\/p>\n

Dropbox<\/a> is helpful to organize final versions of documents. Cyrus Zulkarna\u00efan Kazi, CEO and co-founder of Quantibly.com, a global SaaS solution for the social sector, prefers to keep it simple. He creates a master Google spreadsheet as a \u201crunning depository of all the things being worked on.\u201d The spreadsheet has links to all of the project documents. \u201cYou can\u2019t walk into someone\u2019s office and ask for something,\u201d he points out, so having everything organized in one place is helpful.<\/p>\n

There are many task and project management tools available out there. Website developers seem to prefer Basecamp<\/a>, but personally, I like the visual design and ease of use of Trello.<\/p>\n

\"image-of-trello-board\"
\nImage courtesy of Trello<\/em><\/p>\n

Here again, Kazi prefers to stick with a simple project management tool that doesn\u2019t require another application. When you use \u201cheavy\u201d project management tools like a Gantt chart, he explains, you also have to train people. And that adds work. He uses a shared Google spreadsheet for project and task management.<\/p>\n

Tools for Staying Connected<\/h4>\n

Like productivity tools, for each solution that one person prefers and finds reliable, there are other messaging solutions that someone else will choose. Many teams use Slack<\/a>, Google Hangouts, or WhatsApp<\/a> for messaging throughout the day. The security conscious use Signal Private Messenger<\/a> for encrypted communication.<\/p>\n

When you have to communicate by voice or video with a team or have a conference call<\/a>, there are also many options. If your workplace doesn\u2019t have a preferred platform in place or an IT department with a recommendation, consider your budget and any equipment or training needs for people who are new to remote work.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re disseminating a lot of information or leading a training and want to limit interruptions or participation from a large group of attendees, GoToMeeting<\/a> or WebEx<\/a> are commonly used.<\/p>\n

For more collaborative and scalable meetings with video options, Zoom<\/a> and BlueJeans<\/a> are popular solutions. They enable screen share, chatting, and other features.<\/p>\n

Free Conference Call<\/a> is popular for those on a tight budget who only need audio. (But, you get what you (don\u2019t) pay for. There are a fair amount of dropped calls or problems with access codes with this service.)<\/p>\n

When using a new teleconferencing program, it\u2019s important to give your team the tools to succeed. If security is a concern or people are reliant on their own technology at home, be sure to involve your IT department in this process early on for guidance. Give people ample time to download and familiarize themselves with the application prior to the call. Not everyone will do that, so it may be worthwhile to check in directly with technologically-challenged folks on your team in advance.<\/p>\n

Many people temporarily cover up the camera on their laptop for security concerns<\/a> and some may prefer an option without video. Allow participants to be on a video conference call or not, if they prefer a voice only option.<\/p>\n

Kazi uses G Suite<\/a> for business, which includes Google Meet. \u201cTech costs are spiking with everyone working remotely,\u201d he points out. \u201cWhy take on more operational costs and licenses?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tools for Staying Sane<\/h4>\n

Social media can have negative impacts on mental health<\/a>, but it may be difficult to avoid if it\u2019s part of your freelance assignment. If you find it distracting for your productivity, you can limit usage through apps on your phone and browser extensions like WasteNoTime<\/a> or StayFocusd<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Clearly we\u2019re not in a typical work environment, even for remote work. It\u2019s critical to take care of your behavioral health while social distancing during an infectious disease outbreak<\/a>. YouTube is a great source for at home workouts. Insight Timer<\/a> is a free meditation app with 30,000 free guided meditations, including meditations that help with getting a good night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n

You can use Libby<\/a> to download ebooks and audiobooks from your public library. Audible made hundreds of titles free<\/a>, particularly for kids, as a gesture while schools are temporarily closed.<\/p>\n

Some people are turning to social video games<\/a> for interaction. Jon Distad, a software engineer who works remotely, recently completed a crossword puzzle with friends on Zoom, something they used to do in the office together.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re a seasoned teleworker<\/a> or feel stuck at home because of the need for social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19, hopefully you’ve found some useful tools to help you work from home. Stay safe and well.<\/p>\n

\n

About the author.<\/strong>
\nJess Powers writes about marketing, food, and wellness. She has experience in nonprofit communications and emergency management. Follow her @foodandfury.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tools for Staying Organized For collaborating on documents, spreadsheets, or presentations, nothing beats Google\u2019s suite of cloud computing. There’s a free or business version and it’s available anywhere. But even a simple and elegant solution may require training for teams that aren\u2019t used to working remotely. Just because you understand it, don\u2019t assume that people […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":51020,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-life-as-a-freelancer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Best Tools for Working Remotely | Creative Circle<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re still adjusting to mandatory work from home because of COVID-19, here are some tools to stay organized, connected, and sane.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Best Tools for Working Remotely\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you\u2019re still adjusting to mandatory work from home because of COVID-19, here are some tools to stay organized, connected, and sane.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Creative Circle\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CreativeCircleStaffing\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-04-09T15:45:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tools-for-working-remotely.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"563\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Daniela Negrette\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Creative_Circle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Creative_Circle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Daniela Negrette\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/\",\"name\":\"The Best Tools for Working Remotely | Creative Circle\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tools-for-working-remotely.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-04-09T15:45:38+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#\/schema\/person\/430a421aff02903a687b43ea5f3db691\"},\"description\":\"If you\u2019re still adjusting to mandatory work from home because of COVID-19, here are some tools to stay organized, connected, and sane.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tools-for-working-remotely.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tools-for-working-remotely.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":563,\"caption\":\"wrenches-hammers-and-other-tools\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/\",\"name\":\"Creative Circle\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#\/schema\/person\/430a421aff02903a687b43ea5f3db691\",\"name\":\"Daniela Negrette\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c9bfd2edf4dd463b90c0f33bbeb447dbb32bccd5e45ca823b09ceb350c9ee31?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c9bfd2edf4dd463b90c0f33bbeb447dbb32bccd5e45ca823b09ceb350c9ee31?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Daniela Negrette\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/author\/dnegrette\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Best Tools for Working Remotely | Creative Circle","description":"If you\u2019re still adjusting to mandatory work from home because of COVID-19, here are some tools to stay organized, connected, and sane.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Best Tools for Working Remotely","og_description":"If you\u2019re still adjusting to mandatory work from home because of COVID-19, here are some tools to stay organized, connected, and sane.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/","og_site_name":"Creative Circle","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CreativeCircleStaffing","article_published_time":"2020-04-09T15:45:38+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1000,"height":563,"url":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tools-for-working-remotely.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Daniela Negrette","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@Creative_Circle","twitter_site":"@Creative_Circle","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Daniela Negrette","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/","url":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/","name":"The Best Tools for Working Remotely | Creative Circle","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tools-for-working-remotely.jpg","datePublished":"2020-04-09T15:45:38+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#\/schema\/person\/430a421aff02903a687b43ea5f3db691"},"description":"If you\u2019re still adjusting to mandatory work from home because of COVID-19, here are some tools to stay organized, connected, and sane.","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/the-best-tools-for-working-remotely\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tools-for-working-remotely.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/tools-for-working-remotely.jpg","width":1000,"height":563,"caption":"wrenches-hammers-and-other-tools"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/","name":"Creative Circle","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#\/schema\/person\/430a421aff02903a687b43ea5f3db691","name":"Daniela Negrette","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c9bfd2edf4dd463b90c0f33bbeb447dbb32bccd5e45ca823b09ceb350c9ee31?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c9bfd2edf4dd463b90c0f33bbeb447dbb32bccd5e45ca823b09ceb350c9ee31?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Daniela Negrette"},"url":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/blog\/author\/dnegrette\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51018"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51018\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.creativecircle.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}