Monday, March 6, 2017

Online Communication Methods

By Matthew McBride
Online Communication Methods

There are several different types of online communication methods that can effectively organize conversations and information shared between each team member. Services like these are resources that often do not require you to use several alternate sources of communication, such as email, text messaging, or online document sharing applications such as Google Docs. Instead, these communication apps enable teams to only have to rely on that individual app rather than several. In this blog, we highlight some of the most beneficial online applications and services available to your company.

Communication Applications
Many online applications that used to be popular, such as email or forums, have significantly declined in popularity. Authors and Professors of Psychology Kaveri Subrahmanyam and Patricia Greenfield point out that just because these services can be accessed from various different devices does not mean they are more effective communication strategies. Rather, they are simply conveniences for individuals. Many of these services has become outdated and do not have many utilities to help businesses. Instead, a business can have a massive positive impact by using online communication apps that combine the ideas of instant text messaging and forums (2008). One of the most popular communication apps is known as Slack, which can be accessed on cellular devices, computers and laptops, tablets, and various other electronic devices. Slack combines ideas from two of the most useful and popular communication methods – online forums and instant messaging – into an all-in-one app, featuring message storing, threads based on hashtags you create and more. Through this app, teammates can send messages instantly without having to worry about any of their information being lost. All of the information is stored in the cloud and can be brought up again by a team member for reference. Since the application can be accessed from various devices, it can organize conversations, and allow groups to exclusively use this app without having to rely on multiple sources of communication. Slack is one of the most convenient methods of online communication available. As if this wasn’t great enough, the app is free and comes with 5GB of data storage for the team and 10,000 messages that are archived. Of course, if a team wishes to expand beyond the data limits, they can purchase more data and more accessible tools for a relatively cheap price.

Additional Benefits of Online Communication Applications
  1.  Keeps focus on the task at hand
  2. Allows groups to use exclusively this app without having to rely on multiple sources of communication
  3. Organizes messages and allows members to reference them again in the future
  4. Can be connected to several other online applications, if needed.
Team and Workflow Management Tools

Does your company struggle to organize information, such as timelines, group tasks and goals, and budget? If so, online project management tools, such as Asana, are the best solution to this issue. Using multiple different online resources to store this information can cause confusion among teammates and potentially conflict. With the online application Asana, members of a team can track progress of individual and multiple tasks and the productivity of each person in a team. Members can establish group goals and contribute ideas through Asana, which can conveniently be integrated into Slack. People who use this app can cross-index to break multiple tasks into multiple pieces. Individual tasks can be turned into multiple projects, and multiple components of projects can be separated into individual tasks or smaller projects. Since the app can cross-index individual tasks into multiple projects without duplicating the same task multiple times, all information is organized and streamlined.

All in One Collaboration Tools
Many companies decide to use applications that serve as a type of social network for completing projects. While some schools use all-in-one tools like Schoology to connect students through forums, study tools, and individual groups, your workplace may benefit from using an application like Igloo Software. Igloo has blogs, forums, document sharing, organizational charts, and calendars (all of which can be accessed from many virtual devices at any time) to help your company connect its users personally through a digital workplace. It is often difficult for companies to develop strong teams and personal relationships when its online employees never meet face-to-face. However, Igloo Software exists to help online workplaces thrive, create a well-produced product, and connect teammates unlike other online services.

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