An employee is the backbone of your business and there is no doubt why you should think about him. Often employees feel stressed out at work which as a result decreases their productivity. But we are listing out a few steps on how to increase productivity that makes workflow move seamlessly.   Scrambling to meet deadlines   responding to the slew of phone calls, bothering about the issues at home, ooh! You get the point, right? STRESSED out.   Industries are driving with the “do more with less” motto in this digital world. Many companies often examine their assessment of performance and work on how to increase productivity for the upcoming days. But do they care about employee well-being which has a huge impact on the overall success of a business?    According to “the European Agency for Safety and Health, it is found that 550 million working days are lost every year in the U.S from stress-related time off.”   Stress naturally comes in the workplace which leads to havoc. Stressed workers are associated with complications such as a headache, hair loss, high blood pressure, and cheerlessness which ultimately result in decreased productivity. So, here I am breaking down the ways you could reduce employee stress and how increase productivity: Table of Contents 1. Open Door Policy 2. Throw cold water on multitasking 3. Set clear goals 4. Eliminate Distractions 5. Right for Right Tools 6. Move your bodies Conclusion 1. Open Door Policy You would be surprised at the amount of stress that germinates from a lack of communication. Aspiring for a day off after a date with a critical deadline is a common urge among most employees. There should be no hesitation on the part of the employees in asking for a well-deserved break.   Open communication should be available for any concerns or questions to ease the uncertainty. Encourage employees that you are all ears, which will considerably help in boosting morale as well as the performance of the staff.  2. Throw cold water on multitasking Many studies have proven that multitasking actually reduces performance and can even damage your brain. Multitasking is detrimental to productivity at work, mate. Many people tend to act as if they possess a “special gift” of doing several things at once assuming that they are saving time.   An employee's productivity is directly proportional to his/her brain activeness. But studies say that people who multitask are actually worse at multitasking as the brain can focus on one thing at a time. Ouch! When you are attempting to do more than one thing at once your brain lacks the capacity to switch from one task to another. 3. Set clear goals It is imperative to be transparent about an employee's role in an organization. Employees might know what they are hired for, but they might not know what could be expected or why they are supposed to take care of certain duties.   Hence, make sure your employees understand what is expected rather than stressing them out over irrelevant things. 4. Eliminate Distractions Eliminating distractions is not as easy as it sounds. Have you ever been in a position where you are completely indulged in work when your insidious phone beeps with social media updates or hits the floor blaring in the background on the radio? We have all been there. Isn’t it? Distractions come in various forms that sidetrack your workflow.   Note, however, that eliminating distractions doesn't mean you shouldn’t take breaks. Taking breaks allows you to relax and mentally recharge. If you want to try a quick word unscrambling game or play a game of Hearts, don’t consider that as a distraction. It can help improve your energy level and keep you productive.   A meme or a forwarded joke on WhatsApp might act as a stress relief tool but you feel like scrolling more once you get captivated by one. You browse through all your high-school crush profiles, stalk your ex, update your status on Facebook and the list is endless. What you have not done is work. Behind food and bathroom breaks, chit-chatting with co-workers, and scrolling the newsfeed of social media platforms has taken the 4th rank.  5. Right for Right Tools It is not about how many high-tech tools you are using, it is about what tool you are using to enhance the efficiency. It does not make sense to expect productivity without the right tools. Some companies are still getting lost in the rabbit holes without upgrading or ignoring the innovative tools available in the market now.    Have you ever heard of office chat applications that are changing how things get done? They connect all the employees in one place where they can share their views. In addition, productivity tools like Time Champ ensure that every task is tracked and managed efficiently, leading to better time management. Along with that, highly configurable extensions like StayFocusd aids you to stay focused by restricting the amount of time you spend on time-wasting websites. The more you have control over time, the more productive you would be.  6. Move your bodies Well, we all are aware of the fact sitting constantly is not good for health. However, many of us just brush it off. On a typical day, an employee sits at a desk for 8-10 hours. The mind cannot function at an optimal level without the body being active. Just like you allocate time to certain people and things, it is essential to allocate a minimum of thirty minutes to move your body.   Encourage employees to go for a short walk during lunch break. Thank me later. But, you can sense that employees are working more smartly with a renewed sense of energy which obviously boosts the employee productivity.   These simple yet effective steps could help you how to increase productivity by reducing the stress level of your employees. Happy employees can only bring happy clients. After all, they are the foundation of your business. So, still, thinking to implement? If you think your employee is too stressed from work, give them a vacation and advise them to get some help from a psychiatric service like Pacific Psych Centers and Behavioral Collective. Conclusion Prioritizing employee well-being is crucial for enhancing productivity and reducing stress in the workplace. By implementing smart strategies such as promoting work-life balance, providing clear communication channels, offering opportunities for growth and development, encouraging physical activity, fostering a positive work environment, and promoting mental health initiatives, employers can create a supportive and productive atmosphere. By investing in the well-being of their employees, organizations can not only boost productivity but also cultivate a culture of engagement, satisfaction, and long-term success.

The evolution of work collaboration has undergone an ocean change over the years. Read on to know how we have started and where we are now. With the dramatic enhancements in technology, productivity and collaboration are nothing but the best.   Isn’t it funny how things seem futuristic to us when they were first released into the market? Down the lane, the era of beepers and brick cell phones defines the high-tech company culture. Table of Contents However In today’s world According 1. Two-way communication 2. File Sharing 3. Touch the clouds 4. Powerful filters Bottom line However Change is inevitable in business and organizations that do not adapt are obviously at risk of stagnation. At times, it feels uncomfortable to step out of the norm and do things differently. At the start, people were not able to step out of their comfort zones and get accustomed to automated machines. It is impossible to step back but the evolution of collaboration can be concluded as a blessing in disguise. In today’s world Change is unfolding at a faster rate than ever before. Like all cultures, workplaces are gradually shifting to make room for new establishments and expectations. We have been shifting from a commodity-based to a community-based society. Thanks to the preeminent ubiquity of the internet, we are heading to a collaborative modern workplace.   I cannot imagine how the workplace collaboration would have been pre-email but to a certain degree, email creates some white noise. An email has become a weapon of mass distraction that ravages brain activity and productivity. The email could damage far more than you realize. Looping a fellow worker into a discussion and dashing off an email every time is not a good idea.   Fun fact: “The average employee spends 13 hours a week checking, reading, and responding to emails - eating up 28% of the work week.”   If you are out of the desk for a while and unable to respond, you will have tons of unread emails waiting for you. According To study, nearly 80% of the average employee's time is spent interacting with and giving feedback to fellow employees. Emails are handy but it only has the ability to work as a one-way communication tool, not a team collaboration channel. And this is where collaboration fills the space by bridging the gap between coworkers and between employees and managers as well.   The way people are working is changing in front of our eyes with each passing day. Hundreds of software are emerging that allow teams to hustle more with less stress. Workplace or office collaboration is no longer a buzzword as many companies have already adapted and relishing because of its obvious benefits: 1. Two-way communication As we discussed earlier, communication is key in the workplace and teams need an effective tool that is free of fiction. Unlike previous ways of communication, it is not mandatory to be present at the desk to respond. As the software comes for all platforms and devices, employees can have uninterrupted coordination and be in sync. 2. File Sharing  According to me, this is a boon. Not literally. But file sharing is the most needed feature in any collaboration software. With it, any format of media can be shared, viewed, accessed, and retrieved. Groupware allows the managing and processing of documents among several users in several systems at anytime, anywhere. 3. Touch the clouds Thanks to the rise of cloud prominence in work management which enables an alternative. With cloud services, you can supervise from any device which eradicates confusion. Also, cloud technology is less expensive than on-premise solutions. 4. Powerful filters Who likes to scroll to the top for a document you sent a month ago? It is a time-consuming process to find old files or previous conversations or any links. With robust search filters, you can now find what you are looking for at the speed of light. Bottom line You do not need to “suit up” every time you work as we have a work-from-home facility now. Gone are the days when we have adhered to a particular approach. It is not mandatory to hold on to email in workplace communication where the communications get dropped off at certain times. The time that is lost is lost forever and, in a business, that is tantamount. The more you save on unnecessary things, the better the results for your team. Embracing team communications saves time, resources, and effort. However, a prominent tool can speak for itself. The evolution of collaboration has gone through a long walk. 

When it comes to internal communications, it is important to recognize how well a message is communicated rather than the message itself. The momentum in business collaborations has shifted from an enterprise social networks level to relatively instant messaging apps.   Industry standards are changing and so are the available options. Employees are like to hustle if they are able to comprehend the given requirement. Hence, to aid you in not only through which you are communicating but also how you are doing it;   I am listing down the essential tips to consider while choosing an internal communication app. That medium makes your team collaborative, productive, and proactive.   1. Understand your requirement     Analyze first why and what does office chat software should do to your business. Every business has different needs, one-size-doesn’t-fit all.   A well-formulated strategy could help you in choosing an effective communications app.   Does your business need a group chat or tracking platform? Do you need a preview before hitting the enter button? Do you want a one-stop solution or the best of the breed?   2. Seek what your employees want    They are the one who has to use it in daily-live. Hence, their requirements matter.   Before you decide on the app, let your employees work on different tools which come with a basic plan.   Ask which software they are comfortable with using on an ongoing basis. An easy to use interface is like icing on the cake for the team communication app.      3. Open the lines of communication     Gone are the days when “open door policy” is limited to a physical space. The application should enable anyone to contact anyone in the organization irrespective of the job profile.   This bridges the gaps and opens the lines of communication to converse with anyone freely. Whether yours is an MNC or a startup, having a collaborative application would build a strong healthy relationship among the team members.    4. Security    In today’s landscape, the importance of application security has evolved as a leading factor.   Despite the exponential growth of the digitization, deep down, it is essential to acknowledge what is going on. No one likes their information to be stolen and shared with the online community.    Hence, you should look for an internal communication app where the data would be encrypted, i.e., only the sender and receiver would be able to access it. But still, we see in the news day-to-day that some applications are at the massive security breach or 15 years old has hacked the entire network, quite often. With no choice left, let the odds be in your favor that your business should run smooth and seamless.    5. Two-way Communication   Communication is key in the workplace. Henceforth you need a tool which is free of friction.   Over and above, it is mandatory that both the parties need not to be at the same place while conversing. The process of communication would be done when the receiver is able to understand the message of a server.    6. Off from the desk   While working offshore has become quite normal in today’s world, employees should be able to send or receive messages even when they are far from the desk. Majority of today’s workforce have the privilege to work from anywhere and some choose to work from home by purpose and sometimes they have to attend tasks after regular hours.   Hence, they must be able to access the work-related work no matter where they are. So, a corporate messaging application would come in handy and be convenient to all. The communication software must be integrated with smartphones, desktops, laptops etcetera for a seamless workflow.    7. Easy to implement  There should not be a complication to set up the application every time on a different device. It would be challenging to ask the developers to help to install and implement the process. Ensure that the installation is user-friendly. Also, establish a beginners’ guide to make sure that they are capable of installing and using it from the first step.   8. Administration Amiable  While you are looking for a corporate communication tool, it should have an administration component. To bring a steamrolled enterprise process, new hires should automatically be added to the subcategories such as human resource, sales, marketing, networking etcetera.   9. Timely Support  Effective customer support might seem like a big thing on the surface. But there are cases when you start using an application, the application might crash often or certain functionalities would not work or at worst your business might reach a standstill. To curb the compensation, you should nod for an application which offers 24x7 support and monitoring that cures the clients’ crisis as soon as possible.   Bottom Line : A team is not just a part of your organisation, they are a part of the industry. With this internal communication app, you can do from announcements to appreciations, group chats to media sharing and everything in between.

You are here - On a page that talks about ‘Slack Alternatives,' conversely which are competitors to Slack.   Especially during a pandemic, since both the Slack free plans and premium plans didn't offer a video call, users started looking for Slack app alternatives.   Would it be too early to say ‘Your search ends here’?   I guess not.   Because, here, you get to review an unbiased analysis of top Slack alternatives.   We have used these alternatives in the past because Slack didn’t turn out to be the 100% solution for our virtual team. Our experiments with apps like Slack helped us develop a better understanding of the features and functionalities of each.   In search of the perfect software similar to Slack or beyond, we dug things up - from pros to cons, pricing to supporting platforms, and eventually decided to share our experience through an article.   When it comes to office communication tools, there’s nothing like ‘One For All.’   What worked for one team, may not work for you.   You’d need to do the research, just like we did. But do you have enough time to waste?   I don’t think so.   And that’s the intent behind writing this blog. We have done the homework for you. We remember the lessons learned during the time we were experimenting with different Slack alternatives. With further analysis, we reviewed all those platforms like Slack again and conducted an unbiased comparison.   We are so excited for you to check these nine apps that are similar to Slack and are Slack competitors, yet more powerful when it comes to changing the virtual collaboration game!   Giving an informed choice to the user would benefit them to choose the best one that suits their team size. We have tried to bring you the best alternatives to Slack, ranging from the industry's big players like Microsoft Teams, and Ryver to the latest entrant on the block, the Troop Messenger. At the same juncture, as we could not list out all Slack alternatives here, we ask you to find more resources and tools of an app like Slack from Reddit for more reliable discussions.   Besides that, the new-age instant messenger app for business, the Troop Messenger is making waves across the globe with its unique combination of team collaborative features.   Troop Messenger - a slack alternative has been designed as feature-packed. Amazing feature implementation coupled with high-end security makes Troop Messenger look taller in the corresponding market and with a business identity; this team chat app is apt to take your business communication to the next level of collaboration.     Eventually, these and many more, have come to pitch themselves as good Slack alternatives, providing variety and economical options for the user community.   Apart from Troop Messenger, the following tools are some of the best Slack alternatives. Best Slack Alternatives ProofHub Yammer Connecteam BlogIn Microsoft Teams Gridle Fleep Flock Spike Ryver Quip WorkZone JANDI Teamwork ProofHub   ProofHub is a powerful Slack alternative that comes with impressive team communication functionalities. This office chat software serves as the perfect place for every conversation and brings sanity to the way you and your teams communicate within the office or with clients. It integrates with many third-party applications to give you an edge over others along with SSL security encryption. If you are looking for a secure platform, this tool could be the best Slack alternative. Top Features   One-on-one and group chat. Online discussions and @mentions. Enhance admin controls. Easy and secure file-sharing. Multilingual   Yammer   Want to “Work smarter, work together”? Then Yammer is the perfect alternative to Slack. This collaborative chat software is much more than a mere office chat app. It provides for collaboration in a community to share ideas and solve problems half the time.   Among other things, a Yammer user can Join and create groups relevant to their work and interests.   Top Features   Get answers to questions even when not sure whom to ask. Safely collaborate with contractors, customers or sister companies. Keep docs, photos, and videos in context by adding them to conversations. Stay connected with Yammer’s iOS or Android mobile app. After Microsoft acquired Yammer, the prices have been revised down from $15 to $3 per user per month.   Connecteam   Connecteam is a great solution for any business, especially if most employees are non-desk or not tech-savvy. This easy-to-use tool takes just a few minutes to set up and it packs awesome features, such as automated group management by pre-set rules, advanced conversation settings for personal or team chat, channels, and more.   What we loved the most about Connecteam’s chat is that it integrates with other Connecteam features, such as their employee directory, job scheduling, time clock, and more.   Top Features   Easy to use and user friendly Automatic team chat management Advanced conversation settings Desktop interface for system admins Integrated seamlessly with other Connecteam products   BlogIn BlogIn is a beautifully simple internal blog and knowledge-sharing platform for teams of all sizes. The internal blog acts as a central information hub or a ‘virtual bulletin board’ for the company, allowing all employees to stay in the loop with what’s going on in and around the office.   In addition, the blog opens a new, transparent, two-way communication channel inside an organization, where everyone can ask a question and get the information they need to make faster and smarter decisions.   The internal blog is intuitive and easy to use, so everyone can quickly get on board, which is one of the reasons why it works so well as an internal communication tool.   Top Features   Share internal news and knowledge improve internal communication Share files boost company culture enables transparent, two-way communication   Microsoft Teams   Microsoft Teams stands out as one of the best Slack competitors with its promising user interface. The best part of this workplace collaboration application is we can integrate the tools of Office 365 for enhanced productivity. The users who use Office 365 have Microsoft Teams included in it. Besides that, Microsoft Teams free version is limited features available to the users.   A shared workspace like Microsoft Teams allows users to chat, share files, integrate other applications, and collaborate with their teammates to make decisions as a team. The user is facilitated to use built-in tools of Office 365 like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Share point at a pricing of $ 5 per user per month and $12/per user/per month.   Top Features   Work-place friendly. Simple to understand User Interface. Seamless integrations. Desktop interface for system admins Part of Office 365 Business Essentials and Office 365 Business Premium.   Gridle   Are you tired of juggling between multiple team communication and collaboration tools? Do you wish to have all the tasks & project management and communications in one single tool?   Well, there is Gridle, which has it all. It is a one-stop solution for all your team communication and collaboration needs.   Developed in Ahmedabad, India, this product packs a lot many features at way cheaper prices and has become one of the most sought-after alternatives to Slack.   Top Features   Task management Project management Status and file sharing Chat and video calling Unlimited users 30+ integrations   Fleep   Well, this is not what I am saying, but the creator of Fleep! Well, this is open-source software developed for ultimate project communication. Billed as one of the easiest-to-use apps of this genre, Fleep is pretty straightforward and on top of it has no ads to distract.   Fleep users can Create, assign, search, and track tasks with Fleep’s native task management tool Pin important messages to the side of each conversation so everyone can see and edit them.   Meeting notes, important links, contact details, etc. Find all shared photos and files in the conversation’s file drawer on the side tab, next to each conversation flow. It is more like Mattermost though.   Just check someone’s profile to see when they were last active. Make audio-video calls and share the screen for faster working Seamlessly integrate to create easy-to-follow notification feeds so that all the important stuff is together in one place.   Top Features   Unlimited conversations 100 GB file storage Document/file sharing Native apps User account management Premium conversations   Flock   That is the flagship announcement from Flock, which has multiple unique features, GitHub integration being the leader of the pack. Users can collaborate on to one to one basis as well as make and receive group audio/video calls in a jiff.   It is cloud-based and is hosted by Amazon Web Services.   The data security is ensured by up-to-date technology of TLS 1.2 encryption. Flock offers three different types of plans for users to suit various segments of customers.   Top Features   20GBfile storage per licensed user Enhanced admin controls Dedicated support   Spike    Spike is everything you need to communicate and collaborate in 1 unified workspace. It brings your email, group chat, team collaboration, tasks, calendars, and calls, into a single app. Their Conversational email makes correspondences appear in chat form, eliminating repeating headers, signatures, and threads, so you can focus on what matters. They keep adding new amazing and time-saving features to boost your productivity and make collaboration seamless.   Whether you have one, two, or more email identities, Spike takes all your inboxes and puts them into one easy-to-use app so you can manage them all in one place. Its Priority Inbox allows you to pick your priority contacts so they stay at the forefront of your inbox while placing non-essential emails like newsletters and promotions to “Other”.   The app even boasts seamless Cloud integration, visual file management, an integrated calendar, Groups, and super stealth encryption. You will never need to download another app to stay in touch ever again! Spike works seamlessly with your existing email account (O365, G-suite, and IMAP) on iOS, Android Mac, Windows PC, and web browsers.   Ryver   Ryver is another ideal team communication and team management app which combines the best of team communication tools with an intuitive task manager. It allows putting “All your team communication in one place."   It is a one-stop solution that is designed solely to eradicate the usage of multiple applications and email for internal communication. They made the platform simple, reliable, and effective. Ryver’s Task Manager is “where Conversations Take Action” – claims the app.  The features are very well developed to ensure seamless communication and follow-up.   Some of the best have been mentioned below:   Top Features   Every Private Team and every Open Forum can have a task board. Each Ryver user gets their own personal task board that only he or she can see. Add detailed checklists to each task. Create a different set of Tasks for each team. No limit on the number of teams or the number of tasks. Assign tasks to one or more team members, set deadlines, and be alerted as deadlines approach. Keep your teams on track at all times.   Quip   Quip comes along with full-suite collaboration software to make things easy for users. It facilitates “get more done with your team every day” by combining documents, spreadsheets, checklists, and team chat in one place.   Founded in 2013 by two “super nerds” - Bret Taylor and Kevin Gibbs – Quip was absorbed by Salesforce in 2016.   Quip combines teamwork and communication in one central hub that is accessible across devices. It is also one of the strongest Microsoft Teams alternatives. It cuts down the time lag in communication and collaboration, thereby increasing team productivity.    Top Features   Unlimited Docs and Slides + Live Apps* Secure Mobile Collaboration Integrations, Support, and More... Reliable Cloud-Delivered Teamwork Spreadsheets for teams   WorkZone This is one of the top chat and project management tools around the market. Around early 2000, Workzone carved a niche for itself among users for its sheer ease of use and efficient design. Apart from the outstanding features, WorkZone is known for its amazing customer service.   Every single feature is vetted for real-world use because project management is not more complicated than it needs to be. There’s nothing you can’t do with Workzone as far as project management is concerned. Why settle for less?   Top Features   Visibility across organization Easy and Secure file sharing Personal to-do lists and automatic reminder emails   JANDI   Jandi is a teamwork collaboration tool for a smoother workflow. It provides for convenient communication, file sharing, and quick feedback checks. It effectively replaces the email client with its easy features such as   Top Features   Chat Rooms for different teams, locations, and topics. Easy search filters for quick access Enhanced Admin controls Faster and reliable integration of diverse services Foolproof protocols to ensure data security Data storage and transfer through AWS   Teamwork.com   Teamwork is a project management platform built to help agencies manage the entire lifecycle of their client work in one place. Teamwork provides all of the features you'd expect, as well as integrated time tracking, financial management, robust reporting, and free access for clients, to ensure your projects are delivered on time and on budget.   Tired of having to switch between platforms? You no longer have to! Stop using disparate tools that waste time and manage all of your client work in one platform.   Break work and projects into tasks and layers of subtasks so nothing slips through the cracks and everyone knows what to do and when it’s done.   Top Features   Project management Task management Resource & Workload Management Time Tracking Kanban Boards Financial management   Conclusion Apart from these best Slack alternatives, there are several more available, both in the free zone as well as paid plans. The wide range of options presents a fair degree of flexibility for users to choose from.   However, it can also make it tough to take a call. Nevertheless, these alternatives give a good bird's eye view of the various options and features on affordable terms. Make your choice!   Disclaimer:  The aim of the article is to be informative. We intend users take an informed decision for an effective and productive experience. The comparison shown in the blog is only towards that end and has no intention of pitting one against the other team collaboration app brands. Readers are advised to consult and confirm from the respective service providers regarding details of features, prices and their policies before utilising any of their services.   FAQs     1. Why should I look for Slack alternatives?   You might need alternatives if Slack's pricing, features, or security options don't meet your team’s requirements.     2. What makes Troop Messenger a good Slack alternative?   Troop Messenger offers features like on-premise hosting, enhanced security, and affordable pricing for businesses of all sizes.   3. How does Microsoft Teams compare to Slack?   Microsoft Teams integrates seamlessly with Office 365 but can feel cluttered and is less flexible for non-Microsoft users.   4. Is Rocket.Chat suitable for non-technical teams?   Rocket.Chat is highly customizable but may require technical expertise for setup and maintenance.   5. Does Chanty support task management?   Yes, Chanty includes a built-in task management feature alongside team chat.     6. What are the benefits of using Flock over Slack?   Flock provides similar features at a lower price and includes advanced tools like shared to-do lists.   7.Is Mattermost better than Slack for developers?   Yes, Mattermost is open-source and offers extensive customization options, making it ideal for technical teams.   8.Can Twist handle real-time communication well?   Twist focuses on asynchronous communication and is better suited for teams that prioritize thoughtful discussions over instant replies.     9.What makes Zoho Cliq a viable Slack alternative?   Zoho Cliq offers cost-effective messaging with features like bots, integrations, and video calls, ideal for small to medium businesses.   10.Is Ryver better for task management than Slack?   Yes, Ryver combines team communication with robust task and workflow management tools.   11.Which Slack alternative offers on-premise hosting?   Troop Messenger and Mattermost both provide on-premise hosting options for enhanced data control.   12.Are Slack alternatives more affordable for small businesses?   Many alternatives, like Chanty and Flock, are more cost-effective while offering similar features.   13.Can I integrate third-party apps with Slack alternatives?   Yes, most alternatives like Troop Messenger, Flock, and Zoho Cliq support third-party integrations.   14.Which Slack alternative focuses heavily on security?   Troop Messenger and Mattermost are excellent options for industries requiring high-security features.   15.What is the best alternative for remote desktop support?   Tools like Microsoft Teams or Zoho Cliq can integrate with remote desktop solutions for additional functionality.   16.Do any alternatives to Slack have free plans?   Yes, options like Chanty, Zoho Cliq, and Flock offer free plans with basic features.   17. Can I migrate my data from Slack to its alternatives?   Yes, many alternatives provide data migration tools or assistance for a seamless switch.   18. Which Slack alternative is best for small teams?   Chanty, Flock, and Troop Messenger are user-friendly and budget-friendly, making them great for small teams.   19.Are Slack alternatives good for large enterprises?   Yes, platforms like Microsoft Teams, Mattermost, and Troop Messenger are scalable and cater to large organizations.   20.What makes Troop Messenger stand out from other Slack alternatives?   Its unique combination of on-premise hosting, end-to-end encryption, and affordability sets it apart.

Want to enhance your team productivity and get things done quicker than ever before?   Office chat software is the one-stop solution for you.   A productive yet banter tool to make the workplace a pleasant environment.   In today’s fast-paced world, it is no longer a brainstorming activity to schedule the meetings or conferences. Technology in the workplace is constantly changing the way how work gets done. Surpassing the email, with a few keystrokes and the team communication apps are increasing in popularity, productivity. The internet is brimming with spectacular office chat software that assists in maintaining healthy relationships at all levels of an organization.   You might have heard of the major players such as Slack, Google Hangouts, Troop Messenger, Microsoft Teams etcetera. So instead of telling you the best productivity tools you already are heard of, we are unwrapping the hidden secrets to boosting your team performance.   1. Enable Seamless Communication:      Employees can jump in and out of chat rooms for any sort of information without a hitch. Any type of media can be shared, files can be transferred, messages exchanged – all whether one is stationary or on the go. Many companies are often settling as an elephant in the room without becoming conscious of the fact that there are productive resources; thereby ending up with whopping results.   As luck would have it, the advanced technological solutions have come down for businesses ranging from MNCs to just born babies and everything in between to boost the internal communication which ultimately results in team productivity.   2. Strengthen The Connections :     Effective team interaction is the cornerstone of productivity. Whenever collaboration is necessary, office messaging makes it possible no matter where the other person is located. They come with a variety of options such as screen sharing, video chat, instant messaging, to ensure employees can collaborate as in real time without a need for a face-to-face meeting.   The bottom line is to connect with workers at all levels where each individual is authorized to share views. It has been known by research that 31 per cent of the employees wish their managers or higher authorities could have communicated with them more frequently. One-on-one messaging services open doors to transparency and promote open communications within the company which leads to eminent team productivity.   3. Come In Mobile:     Much of today’s workforce is preferring to unite themselves from the physical workplace. On top of it, there are many cases when employees choose to work from home or sometimes employees have to catch up on tasks after-hours. They must be able to access their work-related no matter where they are. Here come the integrated software solutions into the picture.   Applications that are integrated with desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets are productive and get the work done in a smooth and seamless manner. Additionally, office chat apps avoid roadblocks to communication when people are working in remote areas.   4. Cloud-Based Storage :     Cloud storage is a service where the information or data is remotely managed, maintained, and mobilized. In other words, the users store the information online which can be accessed throughout the internet world. Almost every business is migrating to the cloud services for their storage needs considering the benefits that come in.   Instead of emailing tens of files to co-workers, cloud services do the same work by just a web link. Businesses and organizations can often reduce operating costs by using cloud storage.    5. Group Collaborations:       Businesses are moving further apart. They are spreading their wings across many geographical locations which bring complexities of communication. The modern workforce is more fragmented than ever before. Thanks to the cost-cutting opportunities such as video conferencing, group chats which unlock the greater productivity. These assist in solving the issues quickly even if the workers are scattered across the globe.   6. Integration with apps:      You can bring all your work tools in one place with third-party integrations. Workers can stick to one application instead of having several different tools. This reduces the time shuffling in between them. The upper hand of having a third -party integration is that you can save both money and time by just tapping on the existing resources.   Office chat software is just a tip of the iceberg to boost your team’s productivity. They allow you to connect with people even halfway around the globe. Many applications offer a free plan, of course, with certain limitations though. Go ahead and test whether those applications fit for your business standards, within your budget, with desired features or not. After all, who would like to compromise on the team productivity? Would you? Below are some office chat software:   1.  Troop Messenger 2.  ezTalks 3.  Hipchat 4.  Basecamp 5.  Google Hangouts 6.  Grove IRC 7.  Redbooth 8.  Flowdock 9.  Brosix 10.  Telegram 11.   Podio  

“What is team communication?” is a million-dollar question as it has various definitions based on business preferences and requirements. What is Team Communication? The sharing of information within or between teams is called Team Communication. Effective team communication at the workplace exemplifies the fact that teamwork makes the dream work. A seamless workplace team communication enables everyone to learn about any issue, which improves operations. It also fosters trust, friendship, morale, and employee engagement in the workplace.   Healthy and unhindered team communication plays a vital role in boosting the productivity and efficiency of any organization.   Working in isolation and in a silo-type environment will break down the equations between working staff and harm their productivity. Team communication helps in achieving goals in a unified and targeted way.    As the saying goes,   it takes two to tango. No organization can afford to progress without bringing about a collective work culture among its employees.   At times communication can get strained due to the pressures of corresponding on multiple platforms to achieve the common objective of work. It is where team communication skills play a major role.   It is imperative that the larger a team grows in number the communication channel should be smarter and smoother, of course, safer. This fosters strong and binding teamwork for the overall benefit of the entity.   This being imperative, it makes a lot of sense to plan ways to improve workplace communication.   While effective team communication is not easy to achieve, a concerted and focused effort will ensure all the staff is on a single platform, irrespective of the place of work.   A few decisive steps enumerated below can help achieve the objective of team building and improving work efficiency levels. Take a look. Table of Contents What is Team Communication? 1. Gel Well 2. Instill Trust 3. Get to know individuals better 4. Provide a level playing field 5. Team Collaboration 6. Constructive Feedback 7. Open-Door Policy 8. Employ the best tool 9. Team Building Events 10. Favoritism 11. Ensure transparency 12. Unifying platform What are the different types of team communication? Conclusion  1. Gel Well It pays to build a positive attitude and team communication skills among team members through inclusive strategies.   Higher trust, more open and sincerer will be the exchange of information within the organization.   The leader should ensure to have a personal rapport with the team to establish a fair and frank exchange of work-related opinions and viewpoints. Participative working and management styles are any day better than working in silos. 2. Instill Trust When do you think you people will open out to you?   Is it your wealth, charm, or authority? Well, these qualities may rather ‘force’ colleagues and subordinates to be pliant than ensure a committed and honest response to work.   Let your actions stand up and showcase who you are. Lead by example and instill a higher degree of trust and team communication among the employees. Show genuine interest in people, and empathize with them to elicit fairer relationships to foster work culture. According to several surveys, nearly one-third of employees have a positive abhorrence towards their employers.   This feeling of distrust is a stumbling block in achieving a harmonious working. A flow of information breaks down in the absence of trust, seriously jeopardizing the working environment. It is also important to have good levels of trust between the organization and the customers. One way to achieve this is to buy up domain names that are extremely similar to yours so as to avoid any confusion. This link provides access to cheap domain names. 3. Get to know individuals better A blanket opinion about the staff is a big no when it comes to managing them. Take time, understand each individual, and know their strengths.   By understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses, it’s easier to have effective team communication in the workplace.   No two personalities resemble fully. Comprehend the subtle variations in moods, responses, and reactions of one and all to varying situations at work.   Do not stereotype people. 4. Provide a level playing field The ability to respect diversity begets positive vibes in the work environment.   Respect differing styles of working as long as the ultimate goal is not vitiated by divergent work styles.   While some may prefer team chat, some may depend on face-to-face interaction. However, both come under team communication skills.   Factor such preferences wherever possible and feasible to promote seamless communication among and with peers and staff.  5. Team Collaboration Excellent team communication develops a workplace where everyone develops skills and ideas to help them become more educated about duties to various degrees by collaborating as a team instead of as individuals. 6. Constructive Feedback Giving feedback doesn't mean condemning a team member; it means communicating where they fall short on the necessary abilities, how to acquire them, and how they can excel with their skills. Be encouraged to give your feedback in person rather than through the team collaboration software. 7. Open-Door Policy Do not establish a hierarchy or interaction rules for your team members. You must be transparent that you are there for them whenever they need you. Establishing protocols will only exacerbate the gap between you and your team. 8. Employ the best tool Your work productivity and the quality of team communication will be determined by the work collaboration software you deploy. Therefore, it is advised that you use the best and most secure chat app that protects your data from every cyber attack and complies with all of your requirements, including conducting business meetings, rather than confining just to chat, calls, file exchanges, and other communication methods. 9. Team Building Events A team-building event of this nature develops effective collaboration and improves team communication. Use these occasions to end hostility between teams and team members. Make sure everyone takes part in it. If your company lacks adequate funding, you can organize certain events that are affordable. For instance, you could invite your employees to demonstrate their creativity by making mental health memes. 10. Favoritism Nobody wants to work under a manager preoccupied with rewarding their favorites while ignoring the accomplishments of others. Avoid favoritism because it will demoralize your employees and ruin the workplace environment. 11. Ensure transparency When a team is working on a big project and coordinating multiple tasks,   it is advisable each member is aware of the goals, deadlines, and limitations in the project work sphere.   Also, each should be clear about his/her role, responsibilities, and duties.   Seamless exchange of necessary data among the members will facilitate the economy of time as well as the effort of team members.  12. Unifying platform Apart from the various psychological perspectives cited above regarding the importance of team communication, a unified platform to communicate enhances team communication in the workplace.   While choosing such a multi-purpose tool, the choice for entities, thanks to modern technology, is very wide. Effective team communication tool depends on several parameters like   Several parameters like   ease of use; safety and security of data; multi-platform compatibility; cost etc form prime differentiators amongst the multitude of business chat apps available for users.   While the trail-blazing and trendsetting apps like Skype offer these and several other features in abundance, it comes at a cost.   With the office chat app domain swelling in size over the last few years, several low-cost but high on features and facilities like Troop Messenger have emerged in the market.   Many chat applications available now are proof of the importance of team communication for businesses irrespective of size and form.   Troop Messenger offers, among other features the following for ensuring effortless, safe, and secure communication within the entity:   Individual chat for one-to-one communication Group creation to catch up on team activities in the group, and make team communication easier than ever before for business performance Multimedia sharing for exchanging audio, video, images, and still images was taken with your phone camera File sharing instantly and with ease. Data sharing with external apps to share attachments with third-party chat apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Gmail, etc Location and contact sharing to share your current location with your team and colleagues and directly make a call to catch up with your colleagues A forward message with one click to the group, individuals, or multiple contacts Attachment preview and download for easy checking files without downloading and download it with a single tap to save to a local device Group creation to catch up on team activities in the group, and make communication easier than ever before for business performance User Profile for being professional and recognized by others Pin chat to avoid multiple scrolling, just pin your favorite or frequent contacts at the top of the chat list. Data backup for automatic restoration of data on reinstalling Troop Messenger. Notification to facilitate the announcement of events, deadlines, celebrations, etc Server-side encryption for tight security and privacy of information and data.   What are the different types of team communication? Some of the different types of team communication are as follows:   Verbal: As was already established, one-on-one interaction is the ideal way to nurture effective team communication. Paying attention to one another and the dialogue promotes a sense of value and credibility. Face-to-face talks allow you to examine your team member successfully. Body Language: Body language is a method of communication in which information is expressed or conveyed via bodily behaviors rather than words. This behavior includes facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch, and the use of space. Written Communication: Any interaction that uses the written word is considered Written communication which involves expressing yourself clearly, using precise language, constructing a logical argument; note-taking, editing, summarising; and writing reports. Visual Communication: Visual communication conveys information and ideas using symbols and visuals. It is based on actions that convey concepts, viewpoints, and values using visual materials like text, images, or video. Given that the message or information is communicated using a visual medium, visual communication is considered one of the best team communication styles most likely to impact and foster improved comprehension significantly.   Conclusion  The unified chat app domain is choc-a-block with business chat apps providing diverse features and catering to the myriad needs of users. While most of these team communication tools charge users monthly, few are available which provide free services with heightened security features. Choose wisely because improving team communication is the key to success