Roughly $62 million dollars are lost by average-sized companies every year. Small companies can lose over $420,000 a year.
Is this due to bad accounts practices or poor budgeting skills?
Nope! This loss is due to something very simple: communication. And poor communication between employees and their employers results when there is a lack of communication tools.
We want you to have the most productive tools out there! Why? Having the right tools can help you:
- Increase profits
- Increase efficiency
- Increase productivity
- Lessen confusion and stress
- Create a workplace where employees feel supported
Quite the reward for simply utilizing tools that are readily available right?
So are you ready to start making some great changes? Read on for information on eight of the best communication tools out there!
Eight Communication Tools of 2019
As the workplace becomes more and more collaborative, electronic internet-based tools have become foolproof.
Let us define foolproof for those in the office environment: these tools are reliable and leave no opportunity for error.
They ensure transparency while strengthening employee engagement. And they are in use by companies of all sizes. We have listed out eight tools that cover eight basic needs when running a business:
- Project Management
- External Communication
- Design
- Documentation
- File Sharing
- Organization
- Knowledge Center
- Internal Communication
Project Management
These allow a business to organize workflow effectively and efficiently. Tools differ from company to company and can be used for free or can be purchased online.
A collaborative tool that ensures in-store execution and provides feedback in real time is Foko Retail. Used by brands like David’s Tea and Fabletics, its software uses a social platform to assign tasks and organize teams.
External Communication
External communication can be defined as businesses communicating with the public. Target audiences change and are dependent on the business.
The “public” can be anyone from stockholders and investors to all of society.
Skype is a great tool for communicating information to a large group of people. It is used worldwide for business meetings and for making online presentations.
Its extra features of screen sharing and messaging make it a cost-effective communication software.
Design
Logos, brand colors, fonts, imagery…
A business’ design is such an integral part of creating a brand that stands out and is memorable to potential customers.
Canva allows its designers to share their visual content simply with anyone. Team members can also leave their comments and suggestions on art shared with them.
There are thousands of layouts to choose from and they also give you the ability to create your own templates!
Documentation
This can vary from payroll reports and bank statements to balance sheets and tax reports.
When a company keeps its records straight, its owners can easily see where improvements need to be made. We find GoogleDocs easy to use and – for the savers at heart – free!
Better yet, an internet connection is not needed to use the app (simply select the offline mode). Edit and share away, whether your team is small or large!
File Sharing
A good file sharing service should allow a company to maintain its privacy and security while sharing large amounts of information on a daily basis. Files should be commonly accessible while being arranged in an organized manner.
Dropbox is a business favorite. It keeps your work safe while sending and receiving it all. A business account provides plenty of online storage space (1 terabyte to be exact).
It is simple, powerful, and easy to use. It also comes with an unlimited recovery system and dedicated support staff on hand to help you out if needed.
Organization
Organizing a business contributes to its growth and helps keep track of its employees’ most precious commodity – time.
Mind Meister allows users to do just about any amount of planning – organize meetings, plan projects, even create custom mind maps!
A neat feature: a user can share their mind maps with those on their teams. This creates a collaborative yet organized workflow.
Knowledge Center
Having a reliable and extensive pool of knowledge allows a business to develop successfully. When it is easily accessible, employees know where to go when they have questions or suggestions regarding their work/processes. Clients can also log in for assistance.
Cloud-based technology that is simple to navigate, is compatible with various devices and seamlessly integrates with other tools?
Sound too good to be true? Look no further than Bloomfire. With its multiple features and easy structure, it is a great option for businesses small or large.
Internal Communication
45.5% of workers are bored at their job here in the United States. Yes, that is almost half of all the workers in the country.
Companies are now coming to realize that mundane work experience lessens productivity. is part of having a happy and busy staff at hand.
A less-known piece of communication software is Yammer. Available on all devices and part of the Office 365 package, this is a powerful tool to use. It can boost communication in any work environment and helps employees feel more connected to each other.
Things to Keep in Mind
The market is full of communication tools that have been created specifically for businesses. There are so many options out there, so don’t rush into a decision.
Instead, sit down with your team and discuss what is best for your workplace environment. Sign up for free trials when possible and only commit to a tool when you start seeing the benefits come in.
Change can be a scary thing to implement. However, open communication can lead to your best performance yet as a company so don’t hold back! Let the collaboration begin!
For more helpful tips and tricks regarding running a business, be sure to check out our blog!
