In the wake of unprecedented global shifts towards remote and hybrid work setups, businesses worldwide are re-evaluating their collaboration strategies to adapt to the ‘new normal’. With the rise of these work models, where employees split their time between remote and in-office work, the demand for innovative collaboration technology has surged.
So, Millennials, in a bid to be less cheugy at work around those Gen Zs, let’s get across the latest trends in collaboration technology and highlight essential tools for businesses navigating the hybrid work landscape.
Embracing hybrid work: the future of collaboration
Collaboration technology trends are evolving rapidly to accommodate the diverse needs of remote and in-person teams. From virtual meetings to project management platforms, businesses are leveraging a range of tools to foster communication, creativity, and productivity across dispersed teams.
Key trends in collaboration technology
With so many different options in the market, it’s easy to get lost and not understand what your business or team may require – but that’s where we come in!
Platforms and solutions on the market generally fall into one of the below categories.
- Unified communication platforms: Unified communication platforms consolidate various communication channels, including messaging, video conferencing, and voice calls, into a single interface. These platforms offer real-time collaboration features, such as file sharing and screen sharing, to facilitate seamless communication among remote and in-office employees.
- Hybrid meeting tools: Hybrid meeting tools enable organizations to conduct meetings that accommodate both remote and in-person participants. These tools leverage advanced audio-visual technology to ensure that all participants can engage effectively, regardless of their location. Features like virtual whiteboards and interactive presentations enhance collaboration during hybrid meetings. For anyone who’s joined an interactive whiteboard meeting you know that they can be fun, chaotic, and engaging.
- Remote work technology: Remote work technology encompasses a wide range of tools and solutions designed to support remote employees. From virtual private networks (VPNs) to cloud-based collaboration platforms, businesses rely on remote work technology to empower employees to work efficiently from anywhere. These tools prioritise security, accessibility, and flexibility, enabling teams to collaborate seamlessly across geographic locations. This may sound a little dry, but good collaboration is always grounded in secure and consistent environments – definitely something to keep in mind.
- Collaboration apps for hybrid work: Collaboration apps tailored for hybrid work environments offer a blend of features designed to bridge the gap between remote and in-office teams. These apps often include messaging, video conferencing, task management, and document collaboration features, providing a comprehensive solution for diverse collaboration needs.
Navigating the hybrid work landscape: essential solutions for businesses
For businesses where collaboration is the priority, we’ve rounded up some of the best-performing platforms that are widely used and endorsed by businesses that range from start-ups to multinationals. You don’t have to have every single one of these platforms – even just one powerful platform can make the world of difference to workflows and collaboration.
Notion: Notion offers a comprehensive suite of tools to streamline communication, project management, and knowledge sharing. With its flexible structure and customizable features, Notion allows teams to create collaborative workspaces tailored to their specific needs via a centralized digital hub.
Slack: Slack is a messaging platform that enables teams to communicate and collaborate in real-time. Features like channels, direct messaging, and app integrations allows Slack to streamline communication. It’s a fan favorite and very popular, and as one of the ‘oldest’ platforms on the list, there’s lots of case studies you can browse.
Asana: The Project Manager’s dream. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Asana provides teams with the flexibility to manage projects, track progress, and communicate seamlessly across different locations. Through task lists, project timelines, and shared calendars, Asana ensures that remote and in-office team members stay aligned and focused on their objectives.
Podio offers a low code web-based platform that unites web and mobile, automated workflows, data visualization, and integrated chat and social collaboration in one location allowing you to build custom business solutions to streamline work and communication.
Trello: A dynamic platform for collaboration and hybrid working, Trello offers flexible features to enhance team productivity. Through visual boards, customisable cards, and collaborative lists, Trello facilitates and project management for remote and hybrid teams. Teams can sort tasks, assign responsibilities, and track progress in real-time, ensuring transparency and accountability. It’s loved by designers, PMs, and consultants – so you know it’s versatile!
Miro: Miro stands out for collaboration efforts due to offering a digital whiteboard platform that empowers teams to brainstorm, plan, and collaborate in real-time. From creating visual workflows and mind maps to organizing project timelines and conducting virtual workshops, Miro provides a flexible canvas for teams to collaborate.
PaperCut: When it comes to hybrid work, print management solutions aren’t just a nice-to-have, they’re increasingly becoming a necessity and they now come incloud-flavor. Cloud print management solutions suit hybrid work because they combine all the best elements of on-site servers – security, stability, centralized control – with the flexibility of remote access.
Embracing collaboration in the hybrid work era
As businesses navigate the complexities of the hybrid work landscape, collaboration technology plays a pivotal role in fostering connectivity, productivity, and innovation. By embracing the latest trends in collaboration technology and leveraging essential tools and solutions, organizations can empower their teams to thrive in a hybrid work environment. Investing in technology is essential for driving success in the new era of hybrid work – your teams will thank you for making it a priority, and your business will thrive.
As we continue to adapt to evolving work dynamics, embracing collaboration technology will be key to achieving seamless communication and collaboration across distributed teams. With the right tools and solutions in place, businesses can unlock the full potential of hybrid work and drive sustainable growth.
