Microsoft Teams Saves Productivity for Remote Workers

Microsoft Teams Saves Productivity and Improves Collaboration for Remote Workers

While Aussies have been praised for adhering to tough restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis, the Prime Minister has repeatedly said that social distancing may be in place for another six months. This means working remotely is here to stay — at least for a while. Remote workers face a completely different set of challenges than working in an office environment. News.com.au reports 34% of people working from home are finding it difficult and isolating. Relying solely on texts, emails, and conference calls to communicate undoubtedly leads to confusion as it distorts the pace of conversations leading to misunderstandings. Microsoft Teams, part of the Microsoft 365 office productivity suite, provides a more straightforward solution to improve collaboration. Microsoft Teams Saves Productivity and Improves Collaboration for Remote Workers

Collaborate From Anywhere

Microsoft Teams allows staff working remotely to collaborate from anywhere. They can chat to share their opinions and ideas either in a group chat or with one-to-one messages. As serious as this pandemic is, sending gifs, stickers, and emojis via chat helps keep up morale and boosts motivation when staff are feeling isolated. Staff can meet and collaborate from anywhere in the country instantly going from chat to video conferencing seamlessly with the touch of a button. It doesn’t matter if they are a team of two, ten, or hundreds, remote workers, can securely stay connected. Microsoft Teams integrates with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, SharePoint, the new Planner Task Management App, Stream Video Portal, and even Power BI. The Teams’ mobile and web applications are as comprehensive as their desktop counterpart. Employees working remotely can continue to access files and carry out other tasks as they normally would from the convenience of their home computer, smartphones, or tablet devices. Plus, remote workers can access, share, and edit word docs, PowerPoint, and Excel files in real-time.

Easily Switch Between Multiple Communication Apps

Teams brings together apps, communication tools, and shared spaces, keeping content and communications central and easily accessible to all staff members. This configuration allows remote workers to seamlessly switch between multiple communication apps such as videoconferencing, instant messaging, real-time document collaboration, and file sharing all within a single window. Using Teams, staff can share files, organize meetings from their calendar, and sync with other Office apps like OneNote, OneDrive, and Skype for Business.

Promote Effective Teamwork

In combination with Microsoft 365, Teams creates a hub for modern collaboration and promotes effective teamwork across an organization. It empowers remote workers to engage with the business and other team members who are also working remotely, to speed up employee productivity. The ability to chat simultaneously with co-workers in real-time rather than relying on emails back and forth with attachments significantly improves productivity within your team.

Gain Confidence in Secure Meetings

Overnight videoconferencing has become a big part of staying connected during the pandemic. Videoconferencing is one of the fastest-growing niches in the technology market today and expected to reach a total value of $13.82 billion by 2023. Naturally, staff feel more connected when they are working face-to-face in an office environment. Videoconferencing builds online relationships where employees working remotely feel less isolated and experience a team environment. Teams offer a secure meeting experience with high-quality audio, video, and screen sharing capability. Microsoft Teams supports private and group meeting capabilities, scheduling capabilities, and free/busy calendar availability. Before an online meeting starts, team members can review conversations. Sharing content becomes even easier with video and audio conferencing tools to quickly gain consensus on difficult questions. From kitchen tables to sofas and home offices, staff are getting used to seeing each others’ homes, dogs, cats, and other family members.

View Teams Activity Reports

There are two activity reports you can view within Teams. A Microsoft Teams user activity report and Microsoft Teams device usage report. The Teams device usage report provides you with information about how your users connect to Teams, including mobile apps. The report helps you understand which devices are the most popular with those working remotely. The Teams activity card on the reports dashboard gives you an overview of the activity in Teams, including the number of active users. Microsoft Teams boosts employee engagement, improves collaboration and productivity — all while empowering remote workers to be more flexible. If your business has yet to take advantage of Microsoft Teams, now may be the ideal time to get started. Contact the experts at Steadfast Solutions on 1300-739-335 or email hello@steadfastsolutions.com.au to see how Microsoft Teams can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your remote workforce.