Communication is the way people build and maintain their relationships. It is a truth that applies to personal and workplace connections, and it is especially crucial during the pandemic when so many people feel disconnected.
Over the last few years, the rise of remote work makes developing your communication style and learning to connect via virtual means crucial.
What is a Communication Strategy?
A communication strategy is a plan for increasing internal communication in a company. It often includes the selection of tools to enable a strategic blend of verbal and nonverbal communication styles and outlining goals for a successful plan.
Using communication tactics in the workplace improves company knowledge, facilitates cross-departmental contact, and streamlines business operations.
It’s All About the Tools
Your team’s communication strategy is only as good as the tools it uses to keep your members in touch. With nearly 30% of US workers going remote in 2021, finding online ways of communication is of the utmost importance.
There are plenty of tools out there to keep your team moving like a well-oiled machine:
Slack
Slack bills itself as “a single place for messaging, tools and files.” This workplace communication application is an instant messaging system with many add-ons for various business tools. However, the add-ins aren’t required to use Slack because the core feature is to communicate with others.
In Slack, there are two communication options: channels which allow group chat and direct messaging for person-to-person chat. It also allows you to share files and make voice calls.
Why do people love it? Slack is easy to use, making even non-technical team members comfortable communicating virtually. It has a fun “feel” and can be customized to suit your preferences.
ThinkPod
ThinkPod is what happens when a psychotherapist and a data engineer decide to design a social media platform that focuses on bringing the fun back into the professional arena. It is a place where people can connect, collaborate on unique ideas, and let their creativity soar.
With the creation of Pods, workers can team up to tackle group projects or just discuss upcoming company needs. It is also an excellent place for finding new people — from across the globe — to add to the team.
Why do people love it? People love the ability to showcase their talents and the emphasis on keeping things authentic. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with their virtual Network Card, which retires boring business cards forever.
Trello
Trello is a project management program that allows you to track team efforts, highlight ongoing tasks, see who they’re allocated to, and measure progress toward completion.
Trello’s workflow visualization is based on Kanban project board concepts, giving managers and team members a clear perspective of a project from start to finish.
Why do people love it? Trello is very visual, which is a huge boon for many workers. It allows the entire team to follow the progress of a project, and communication can happen right on the board.
Zoom
Zoom is a cloud-based video communications platform that lets you set up virtual video and audio conferencing, webinars, live chats, screen-sharing, and other collaboration features.
Attending a Zoom conference does not require an account, and the platform is compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, making it accessible to almost anybody.
Why do people love it? Zoom allows team members to communicate face to face, no matter where they are located physically. It is relatively simple to use, allowing the non-tech savvy members of your team to join without frustration.
