The Best Internal Communications Tools for Your Business
Effective internal communication is essential for the success of any business. With the rise of remote work and dispersed teams, it is imperative that companies have reliable and efficient communication tools. In this article, we’ll discuss the best internal communications tools to help streamline communication and enhance collaboration within your organization.
Here are the topics covered:
Understanding the Importance of Internal Communications
Types of Internal Communications Tools
Top Internal Communications Tools to Consider
Understanding the Importance of Internal Communications
Before diving into the top communication tools, let’s first discuss the importance of internal communication in business. Communication is the lifeblood of any organization, and it is integral to maintaining a positive work environment and boosting employee engagement.
Effective internal communication is essential for the smooth functioning of any business. It helps in creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and heard. When employees are happy and engaged, they are more productive and committed to the company’s success.
Learn more about effective internal communications and their role in an organization
Types of Internal Communications Tools
Effective communication is crucial for the success of any business. With the rise of remote work and distributed teams, it has become even more important to have the right tools in place to facilitate internal communication. There are several types of internal communications tools that businesses can use to improve communication and collaboration among employees. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
Instant Messaging and Chat Apps
Instant messaging and chat apps are a popular choice for many businesses. They allow for quick and easy communication between colleagues and can be especially useful for remote teams. These tools provide a way for employees to send quick messages, ask questions, and share information without having to send an email or make a phone call.
Slack is one of the most popular instant messaging and chat apps used by businesses. It allows users to create channels for specific topics or projects, making it easy to keep conversations organized. Microsoft Teams and Google Hangouts are also popular options.
Intranet and Collaboration Platforms
Intranet and collaboration platforms provide a central hub for employees to collaborate and communicate. They make it easy to share files, hold discussions, and manage projects. These tools can be especially useful for larger organizations or those with multiple departments.
Asana is a popular project management tool that also functions as an intranet and collaboration platform. It allows users to create projects, assign tasks, and track progress. Trello and Confluence are also popular options.
Video Conferencing Tools
Video conferencing tools have become increasingly important in the age of remote work. They allow teams to connect face-to-face, no matter where they are located. These tools are especially useful for team meetings, client meetings, and interviews.
Zoom has become one of the most popular video conferencing tools used by businesses. It allows users to host meetings with up to 100 participants and includes features such as screen sharing and virtual backgrounds. Skype and Google Meet are also popular options.
Employee Feedback and Survey Tools
Employee feedback and survey tools can be invaluable for understanding how employees are feeling and identifying areas for improvement. These tools can be used to gather feedback on everything from company culture to specific projects. By gathering feedback from employees, businesses can identify areas for improvement and make changes to improve employee satisfaction and productivity.
Survey Monkey is one of the most popular employee feedback and survey tools used by businesses. It allows users to create custom surveys and analyze the results. Qualtrics and TINYpulse are also popular options.
Project Management and Task Tracking Tools
Project management and task-tracking tools can help teams stay organized and on track. They provide a centralized location for project-related information, making it easy to track progress and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. These tools can be especially useful for teams working on complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
Basecamp is a popular project management tool that allows users to create projects, assign tasks, and track progress. Jira is another popular option, especially for software development teams. Wrike is a project management tool that integrates with other tools such as Salesforce and Slack.
Top Internal Communications Tools to Consider
Effective communication is a critical component of any successful business. With the rise of remote work and distributed teams, having the right internal communications tools is more important than ever. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top options for businesses looking to improve their internal communication.
Now that we’ve covered the various types of internal communications tools, let’s take a closer look at some of the top options:
Slack
Slack is an instant messaging app that has become a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. It allows for real-time communication and facilitates team collaboration. With features like channels, direct messaging, and file sharing, Slack makes it easy to stay connected and productive throughout the workday. It also integrates with a wide range of other tools, making it a powerful hub for all of your communication needs.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is an intranet and collaboration platform that offers features like chat, video conferencing, and file sharing. It is particularly well-suited for businesses that use other Microsoft products, like Office 365 and SharePoint. With Teams, you can create channels for different projects or teams, making it easy to stay organized and collaborate effectively. Plus, with features like screen sharing and virtual backgrounds, Teams makes virtual meetings feel more like in-person ones.
Google Workspace
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) provides a suite of communication and collaboration tools, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Meet. It is particularly useful for businesses that rely on cloud-based solutions and need to collaborate in real time. With Google Workspace, you can easily share and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Plus, with Google Meet, you can hold virtual meetings with up to 250 participants.
Trello
Trello is a project management tool that uses a visual board system to help teams organize and track their tasks. It is particularly useful for marketing teams, software development teams, and other groups that need to manage complex workflows. With Trello, you can create boards for different projects or teams, and then add cards for individual tasks. You can also assign tasks to team members, set due dates, and add comments or attachments to cards.
Zoom
Zoom is a video conferencing tool that has become particularly popular in recent years due to the rise of remote work. It offers features like screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms, making it easy to hold effective virtual meetings. With Zoom, you can host meetings with up to 100 participants (or more with the Large Meeting add-on), and you can record meetings for later viewing. Plus, with the Zoom mobile app, you can join or host meetings from anywhere.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, internal communication is key to the success of any business. By integrating the best internal communications tools into your workflow, you can improve collaboration, boost productivity, and foster a culture of open communication and engagement within your organization. Whether you choose Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Trello, Zoom, or another tool entirely, the most important thing is to find a solution that works for your team and your business.
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