Remote work hasn’t always had the best reputation. After all, how could employers keep track of productivity and ensure smooth communication? Nowadays, thanks to the surge of technological developments and the change in job models that resulted from the 2020 lockdowns, more and more businesses are embracing remote work. According to recent statistics, the number of remote workers has increased by 140% since 2005, which is a 10% growth per year on average. Not only does it boost productivity, but it also decreases office-related costs, lowers stress, and boosts employee retention.
Having remote workers can be potentially beneficial for small businesses. However, how can a small business run a remote-work operation smoothly? The answer is technology. In what follows, we provide an overview of high-quality phone apps that can be really useful in managing the day-to-day operations of your business.
Trello
Trello is a productivity application perfect for both remote workers and small business owners. You can rely on Trello for personal use if you’re running multiple projects at the same time as it’s based on the Kanban boards. These help you keep track of every task and have a clear understanding of what your peers are working on.
Overall, Trello is a high-quality project management tool and it’s easy to use. There is a free and premium version. It’s also worth mentioning that the web version is synchronized with the mobile application so you can keep track of your tasks on the move.
Slack
Communication is challenging in both online and offline roles. However, messaging tools such as Slack make communication amongst colleagues easier and quicker. In short, this tool allows you to message anyone inside or outside your company. You will have the option to work in dedicated spaces known as “channels” to stay in touch with your immediate team. In addition, employees have the option to create video meetings and short audio and screen recordings.
To keep sensitive information protected and private, Slack encrypts data at rest and data in transit through tools such as Slack EKM, audit logs, and more.
VPNs
Remote work and the increasing adoption of digital technologies do not without their downsides. Remote developers who spend the majority of their working time on their computers or smart devices are at risk of cybercrime.
Nowadays, cybercriminals are on the lookout for getting a hold of “personally identifiable information” (PII), which comprises a person’s name, address, email, passport number, bank details, and social security number. Likewise, personal health information and the information that helps a company operate (financial, research, and development data) are valuable for such individuals.
Remote employees or freelancers might benefit from encrypting their online connection through a VPN. This is a digital tool that encrypts internet traffic, allowing for a more private and secure browsing experience. In addition, it ensures that a person’s internet traffic isn’t recorded or sold to data brokers (companies that trade data for a profit).
But what if your sensitive information is already in the wrong hands? Data removal tools such as Incogni are able to automatically opt individuals out from data brokers. As a result, this enhances their protection against cyber threats.
To Conclude
Remote work has many advantages for small businesses and freelance workers. Nowadays, several digital tools such as Trello, Slack, VPNs, and data removal tools can not only ensure smooth project management and communication but also strengthen data and privacy protection.