Driving collaboration and instant communication through enterprise collaboration tools and technology seems unnatural and counter-intuitive. However, the onset of COVID-19 has brought previously unimaginable work scenarios to life.   Enterprises with a technology-averse mindset were forced to learn and adapt to collaboration tools overnight.   Work-From-Home (WFH), a once dreaded concept, became the savior for multiple businesses - big and small.   Companies with a decent online infrastructure could better navigate through choppy waters when the global lockdown just started.   In short, with businesses going virtual, the online collaboration market is exploding, and the industry is predicted to reach $59.86 billion by 2023. Plus, its widespread adoption is an undeniable fact. Research by the Harvard Business Review states that "95% of employees in large enterprises are already using enterprise collaboration software." Table of Contents Effectiveness of Social Connection & Collaboration Platforms The Value of Collaboration Platforms Advantages of Online Collaboration Major Benefits of Enterprise Collaboration Industry-Wise Strategies for Collaboration Platforms 1. Healthcare 2. Manufacturing 3. Retail 4. IT and Software Development 5. Financial Services 6. Education 7. Professional Services 8. Nonprofit and NGOs 9. Marketing and Advertising 10. Construction and Engineering Closing Thoughts Effectiveness of Social Connection & Collaboration Platforms Troop Messenger, Workplace by Facebook, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. These are all examples of enterprise collaboration tools that businesses are using day in and day out, especially in today's context of a global pandemic. Innovative collaboration platforms offer a suite of social tools, including instant messaging, blogs, profiles, and shared workspaces, among others, to drive productivity and foster effective work relationships. That said, it is important to remember that each enterprise collaboration tool appeals to different organizations based on their primary goals and specific needs. Consider the following examples:   Workplace by Facebook is ideal for organizations that wish to tap into Facebook’s familiar features. Slack appeals to companies that can better integrate with its various APIs. Here's what Darko Jacimovic, the Founder of whattobecome.com, has to say about using Slack:   "Slack is neater, more useful, and more practical for people working within the organization. People can simply be divided by the projects and teams, and still, be in the same chat as everyone in the organization."   G Suite platform appeals to organizations that wish to share documents that can be provided varying levels of permissions, both internally and externally. More importantly, organizations can edit the same document synchronously or asynchronously, without worrying about document “forking.” Google Hangouts is more useful for sending real-time messages and for conducting video and teleconference calls. Plus, its thorough search functionality allows the team to look for past projects in an instant. HubSpot is typically used by the Sales team to collaborate with digital marketing teams. It also nurtures potential clients down the sales funnel as seamlessly as possible and helps them do better funnel optimization. That's not all. Team members can leave notes, share documents, make changes, and get a glimpse of every activity across the various stages of the sales process. All things considered, when selecting enterprise collaboration tools, it needs to be mentioned that prioritizing data privacy and security, without compromising on the user experience or productivity levels, is paramount and serves as the key differentiator between good and great collaboration software solutions. The Value of Collaboration Platforms "Companies should position enterprise collaboration platforms as the hub that connects IT systems, business applications, collaborative tools, and digital platforms.” - MIT Sloan Management Review Typically, people think of enterprise social networking platforms as being limited to instant messaging tools. However, these tools come padded with other useful features such as:   Video chat platform: " The global video conferring market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 9.2% until 2025, growing that market to a value of $6.7 billion." - Bloomberg. Video chat platforms (think: Skype, Google Hangouts, and Zoom) allow team members to drive video conferences, which are instant, easy to implement, and effective. Live chat: The live chat software allows team members to get in touch with each other in an instant, that too 24x7 - irrespective of geographical boundaries or time constraints. If you're still second-guessing about the effectiveness of collaboration, consider this: According to Salesforce, "86% of survey respondents believe that lack of collaboration causes failure of projects that they work on." Integration with other applications: Text-based chats such as HipChat and Slack, empower team members to share messages and feedback in real-time. Then, of course, there is project management software that offers an all-in-one approach to work management, allowing users to monitor tasks and projects, assign jobs, and review workflows.   All these value-added features enhance the overall user experience while allowing them to connect with each other on a personalized level and at their own convenience. Advantages of Online Collaboration "Because we have access to very good tools in our private lives, we expect the same level of functionality and performance in business.” - Jeffrey Mann, Vice President of Research at Gartner The paradox of online collaboration is this: Employees are working alone from home, but they are together, virtually. The workforce of today has truly gone global in the literal and figurative senses of the term. Issues such as varying time zones, diverse geographical locations, multi-lingual workforce, etc. are no longer a hindrance to business continuity, owing to a wide plethora of online collaboration tools and flexible working practices at large. That is why more and more employers are opting for onboarding remote workers. And if you are thinking about it, Goco has a lot of useful tips for successful Remote employee onboarding.   Here's a quick snapshot of the tangible and intangible benefits they pose:   Fosters a culture of 'flat' hierarchy where employees belonging to varying levels and functional areas work in conjunction with multiple teams, at any given point in time. Allows global collaboration among teams that are geographically dispersed. Helps teams to function effectively on a local, national, or international scale; while boosting leadership visibility and accessibility. Allows organizations to keep track of changes in real-time and collaborate online while tagging colleagues and reviewing documents on-the-fly.  Fosters a more flexible working culture, which acts as a huge advantage from the employee's perspective. Offers cash benefits (according to a case study of the Workplace) by way of:A. Effective organization-wide communication with monetary benefits of $3.3 million. B. Enhanced teamwork and productivity, with benefits of $5.3 million.C. An inter-connected work culture, with benefits amounting to over $4.5 million. Finally, paves the way for a more enhanced, streamlined, and organized workflow where team members can review and upload documents online and make edits as necessary. Major Benefits of Enterprise Collaboration Whether you call it enterprise social networks or enterprise collaboration platforms, these super-useful tools work across teams, business systems, information, and applications to power productivity   Boosts productivity: As per research by the McKinsey Global Institute, enterprise social networking tools help increase productivity by 25%, in addition to improving employee collaboration and communication. Added value across functions: According to a recent study by Forrester, the collaboration platform - Workplace by Facebook - can:   A. Offer a 3.9X return on investment over three years.B. Reduce the time it takes to update frontline workers by 34%;C. Increase task efficiency by 20%;D. Reduce cloud operating expenses for legacy tools by 80%;E. Accelerate the decision-making process by 20%;F. Increase product innovation by 32%;G. Increase onboarding efficiency by 32%.   Industry-Wise Strategies for Collaboration Platforms Collaboration platforms can be tailored to suit specific industry needs. Here are some industry-wise strategies for collaboration platforms: 1. Healthcare Enable secure communication and file sharing among healthcare professionals, streamline patient data sharing, and facilitate telemedicine for remote consultations. 2. Manufacturing Enhance coordination between different teams and departments, enable real-time collaboration on production schedules, and provide a platform for sharing technical specifications and design files. 3. Retail Foster collaboration between retail stores and headquarters, facilitate communication among merchandising and marketing teams and enable seamless inventory management and order fulfillment. 4. IT and Software Development Facilitate agile project management, provide integrated development environments for coding collaboration, and offer channels for effective communication between developers and stakeholders. 5. Financial Services Ensure secure document sharing for compliance purposes, enable real-time collaboration on financial models and reports, and provide communication channels for dispersed teams and remote advisors. 6. Education Facilitate collaboration between educators and students, offer virtual classrooms for distance learning, and provide tools for sharing educational resources and assignments. 7. Professional Services Enable collaboration and document sharing among consultants, lawyers, and other professionals, offer secure client portals for communication and file exchange, and facilitate project management and time tracking. 8. Nonprofit and NGOs Provide a platform for collaboration between volunteers and staff, enable secure communication and file sharing for fundraising campaigns, and facilitate project coordination for social initiatives. 9. Marketing and Advertising Foster collaboration between marketing teams, clients, and creative agencies, provide a centralized platform for campaign planning and content creation and enable efficient review and approval processes. 10. Construction and Engineering Facilitate collaboration among architects, engineers, and construction teams, offer a platform for sharing project documentation and design changes, and enable real-time communication for efficient project management. Closing Thoughts The enterprise collaboration software market is currently worth $3.5 billion and is projected to grow by 70% in the next few years," according to the International Data Corporation (IDC).   Here's the long and short of it: Collaboration tools are playing a transformative role in turning companies into thriving online communities where:   Employees feel more connected, both physically and emotionally, and are driven to contribute value to the organization. Employee satisfaction and engagement levels skyrocket. Work culture becomes stronger, with a focus on customer and employee-centric approaches.   With workplaces becoming increasingly dynamic and flexible, enterprise collaboration is the future, and this future is already here.

Skype has been around for many years, but its feature updates are few and far between. Many businesses continue to use Skype out of habit, ignoring the fact that there are several superior Skype alternatives in the market.   Why Look for Skype Alternatives?   Many users have switched from Skype due to its disadvantages, such as:   Outdated and less engaging user interface (UI) – Compared to modern communication tools, Skype lacks a sleek and efficient design. Security vulnerabilities – Skype has had security concerns, making it more susceptible to hacking attempts. Limited functionality – Skype does not offer the flexibility and productivity features required by modern businesses. Not ideal for business use – New-age businesses require tools that offer seamless collaboration and integration with third-party apps.   Moreover, suggest that Skype may be shutting down as of 2025, which compels users to find alternatives that cater to their needs.   5 Best Alternatives to Skype   If you are looking for a team chat app, an instant messaging app, or a business communication app, the following alternatives are worth considering:   Table of Contents 1. Troop Messenger 2. Brosix   3. Google Hangouts   4. FaceTime 5. Chanty 6. BOSS Revolution 1. Troop Messenger   Troop Messenger is a powerful alternative to Skype, offering robust features designed for seamless team communication. Unlike Skype, which has limited functionalities, Troop Messenger goes beyond basic messaging with advanced tools that improve workplace efficiency.     Key Features:   Joint Code: Allows multiple programmers to collaborate on coding projects while having an audio or video call, reducing turnaround time. Advanced Search Options: Users can easily search for messages, images, files, links, or user-specific messages without sifting through long chat histories. Slideshow: A convenient way to browse images in chat history without manual scrolling. Airtime Group: Enables admins to control group chats, allowing only authorized members to send messages. Forkout: Lets you send one message to multiple users or groups without switching between different chats. Remote Screen Sharing & Control: Offers seamless screen sharing and remote access to other devices for effective troubleshooting and collaboration.   Troop Messenger vs Skype   Features Troop Messenger Skype Instant Chat ✅ Yes ✅ Yes User Interface ✅ Intuitive & Engaging ❌ Complicated Audio & Video Calls ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Advanced Search ✅ Yes (files, images, links, user-specific messages) ❌ Limited Guest Users ✅ Yes (limited access) ✅ Yes File Sharing ✅ Yes (with preview option) ✅ Yes (300MB limit) Pricing ✅ Affordable ❌ High Joint Code Collaboration ✅ Yes ❌ No Remote Access Control ✅ Yes ❌ No Forkout Messaging ✅ Yes ❌ No Slideshow Feature ✅ Yes ❌ No Ads ❌ No ✅ Yes Code Snippets ✅ Yes ❌ No   Troop Messenger continuously evolves based on user feedback and business needs, making it an ideal Skype replacement. 2. Brosix     Brosix is a secure team chat app with end-to-end encryption, making it a great option for businesses that prioritize security. Unlike Skype, Brosix allows admins to control and monitor employee chat activities.   Brosix vs Skype   Features Brosix Skype Instant Chat ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Audio & Video Calls ✅ Yes ✅ Yes File Sharing ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (300MB limit) Ads ❌ No ✅ Yes Whiteboard ✅ Yes ❌ No   3. Google Hangouts   Google Hangouts is an easy-to-use, cross-platform messaging app that integrates well with other Google services. While it lacks file-sharing capabilities, it excels in video calling and real-time messaging.     Google Hangouts vs Skype   Features Google Hangouts Skype Instant Chat ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Audio & Video Calls ✅ Limited to 10 members ✅ Limited to 25 members File Sharing ❌ Only images ✅ Yes (300MB limit) Ads ❌ No ✅ Yes Screen Sharing ✅ Yes ✅ Yes   Google Hangouts is particularly useful for video calls, webinars, and business presentations.   4. FaceTime   FaceTime is Apple’s proprietary video-calling app. While it offers excellent video quality, it is limited to Apple devices and does not support text-based instant messaging.     FaceTime vs Skype   Features FaceTime Skype Instant Chat ❌ No ✅ Yes Audio & Video Calls ✅ One-on-One ✅ Up to 25 members File Sharing ❌ No ✅ Yes (300MB limit) Screen Sharing ❌ No ✅ Yes Supported Platforms ❌ Only iOS & macOS ✅ iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Web   FaceTime is best for Apple users looking for high-quality video calls, but it is not ideal for business use. 5. Chanty   Chanty is a productivity-focused messaging app with third-party integrations, making it ideal for teams that use collaboration tools like Trello, Google Drive, and Mailchimp.     Chanty vs Skype   Features Chanty Skype Instant Chat ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Audio & Video Calls ✅ Yes ✅ Limited to 25 members File Sharing ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (300MB limit) Third-Party Integrations ✅ Yes ❌ No Task Management ✅ Yes ❌ No   Chanty is a great choice for businesses that need seamless integration with other apps and workflow management features.   6. BOSS Revolution   BOSS Revolution provides low-cost international calling and messaging, allowing users to make affordable calls to landlines and mobile phones across the world. They also offer zero-fee app-to-app calls and texts via WiFi and mobile top-up services, making the app a versatile alternative to Skype for staying connected globally.     BOSS Revolution vs Skype Features BOSS Revolution Skype International Landline and Phone Calls ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Instant Messaging ✅ Yes ✅ Yes Audio and Video Calls ✅ Yes ✅ Yes  Mobile top-up ✅ Yes ❌ No File sharing ✅ Yes ✅ Yes  Affordability ✅ Lower calling rates ❌ Higher calling expenses Supported platforms ❌ Only iOS and Android ✅ Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux     BOSS Revolution is best for individuals and families who need to make frequent international calls at low rates. It’s ideal for immigrants, expats, or people with loved ones abroad, offering an easy, affordable way to stay connected without hefty monthly fees. Additionally, it’s great for those who need mobile recharges for phones in various countries.     Final Verdict: Which is the Best Skype Alternative?   If you are looking for a feature-rich business chat app, Troop Messenger stands out with its unique functionalities, affordability, and future-ready updates. However, if security is your priority, Brosix is a great option. For seamless integration with Google services, Google Hangouts is preferable. If you are an Apple user, FaceTime is the best choice, while Chanty is ideal for teams needing workflow management tools.   FAQs     1.Why should I consider Skype alternatives?   Skype alternatives often offer better security, advanced features, and improved integration options tailored to modern team collaboration needs.   2. What are the key limitations of Skype?   Skype lacks robust team collaboration tools, advanced security options, and scalability for large organizations.   3. What features should I look for in a Skype alternative?   Look for secure messaging, file sharing, video conferencing, task management, and integration with third-party tools.   4. How is Troop Messenger better than Skype?   Troop Messenger provides enhanced security, on-premise deployment, customizable features, and seamless collaboration options.   5. Are there Skype alternatives with on-premise hosting?   Yes, Troop Messenger offers on-premise hosting for organizations requiring complete data control.   6. Which Skype alternative is best for secure communication?   Troop Messenger, with end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication, ensures highly secure communication.   7. Can Skype alternatives integrate with project management tools?   Yes, tools like Troop Messenger integrate with project management platforms to streamline workflows.   8.Is there a Skype alternative suitable for small teams?   Yes, platforms like Troop Messenger are ideal for small teams with user-friendly interfaces and scalability.   9.Do Skype alternatives offer better video conferencing features?   Many alternatives, including Troop Messenger, offer high-quality video conferencing with advanced collaboration features.   10. Are there free Skype alternatives available?   Yes, some tools offer free versions, but paid options like Troop Messenger provide more features and better security.   11. What industries benefit most from Skype alternatives?   Industries like BFSI, government, defence, and healthcare prefer alternatives for their secure and customizable solutions.   12.Can Skype alternatives support remote work?   Absolutely! Tools like Troop Messenger enable secure communication, file sharing, and video calls, perfect for remote teams.   13.Do Skype alternatives offer mobile apps?   Yes, most Skype alternatives, including Troop Messenger, provide mobile apps for on-the-go communication.   14. Which Skype alternative is best for government organizations?   Troop Messenger stands out with its on-premise hosting, enhanced security, and compliance features tailored for government use.   15.Are Skype alternatives better for large enterprises?   Yes, platforms like Troop Messenger offer scalability, robust features, and integration capabilities ideal for large enterprises.

In this world, we have seen many people succeed and create their path where others would just follow them by becoming pedestrians, yet as common people, we may know only one person achieving it, but many would tend to forget the team behind the successful person. Nevertheless, their team is also praiseworthy. Hence, the team plays a great role in success.   It is very important to exercise the same diligence in strengthening the team's productivity, as is the merit of your goal.   A team is comprised of people who have different mindsets, opinions, and efficiency, and leading them towards one goal and maintaining uniformity by itself is multitasking. There are some simple ways to increase your team’s productivity at the workplace indeed, which are adaptable, as mentioned below,   Table of Contents 1. Deploy Upgraded Tools 2. End-to-end communication 3. Training 4. Appreciate in public and criticize in personal 5. Extra tasks 6. Favorites aren’t affordable 7. Conduct Events 8. Flexible rules and policies 9. Constructive feedback 10. Ideal image 11. Encourage Exercise and Self-Care Conclusion   1. Deploy Upgraded Tools   The team needs to communicate regularly and maintain work standards. Usage of inadequate tools would worsen the work conditions. Using a social chat app as a team collaboration app is not at all advisable, which may belittle professionalism. So suggest to your management the best tools, such as Troop Messenger, which can be the team communication app as well as an instant messaging app strengthening your team spirit, and due to its intuitive user interface (UI), your work would become seamless. Such an app can be a great efficient tool at the office as well as in remote work culture. Today’s work conditions demand constantly upgraded tools, so don’t limit yourself by adjusting to inappropriate tools.   2. End-to-end communication   Let your team know that you are available to have a conversation. Don’t let them feel hesitant to talk to you, which will affect the professional relationship. Encourage your team to give suggestions and ideas that will make them feel that their work and opinions are being valued. Take one-on-one sessions with your team, try to know their state of mind, analyze their strengths & weaknesses, and ask them whether they need any help from the organization or your side; it will help you to lead your team in much better conditions.   3. Training   Not everyone on the team will be equally skilful. So, train them whenever required, especially how inevitable mistakes can be avoided. Make sure that you are very well versed on the subject when your team members ask if you have doubts about the subject because they will feel you are the only sole contact who can help them. Training is one of the key factors that can increase team productivity, so never compromise on it. Discuss with your team how you overcame the gaps in your professional career when you were also part of a team as they are. They will start relating with you, and it will lead them to be at ease in asking you for help whenever it is required.   4. Appreciate in public and criticize in personal   Find reasons to appreciate your team, make a habit of taking the daily briefing, appreciate at least one member of your team for their contribution, and let your team do the same as in appreciating the other members; this will just increase the team’s collaboration to a great extent. Follow the quote ‘appreciate in public and criticize personally’, and never let your other team members know when someone is criticized.   5. Extra tasks   Assign extra tasks based on their abilities; this would give your team the sense that their manager or team leader knows them very well. Don’t ask your team, which you also cannot do, as you need to set the task completion within a miraculous time frame. Avoid micromanagement and make them accountable for tasks, empowering them and creating a great bond and trust between you and the team.   6. Favorites aren’t affordable   Never disclose or imply your favorites in the team, this will demotivate your other team members and can lead to clashes. Treat everyone equally despite you have favorites. Give everyone an equal opportunity to prove themselves. If every team member starts feeling that they are your favorite, it will certainly boost your team's efficiency and productivity.   7. Conduct Events   Conduct some fun events that can improve your team collaboration. Celebrating your team members’ birthdays, work anniversaries, and so on will value them. Try to announce incentives at events, which can be a great motivation. As a matter of fact, due to various reasons, there will be some gaps between the team no matter the number of team members you have, so try to use such events to strengthen your team bond and eradicate the gaps between your team members and apprise them about how important it is to work as a team. That being said, managing event crowd control during COVID-19 does require a higher level of planning.   8. Flexible rules and policies   Discuss with your team how important it is to follow the rules and policies in an employee handbook set by the company. There may be some situations where you have to create some ground rules for tasks, make sure that you are creating flexible rules and goals considering your team members’ opinions, and take every team member’s acknowledgement on it so that they will cooperate to be on the same phase without deviating from the standards.   9. Constructive feedback   Whenever there is a need, give constructive feedback to your team members in person. Start with the positive and end with the negative using a group of modest words that wouldn’t hurt or offend them. Give them a chance to defend themselves, explain briefly how they can improve by minimizing the errors, and let them know that you are available any time to give much-needed support. If your team member is performing as per the expectations, don’t let them settle for it, talk to them, and set some new goals and expectations that are achievable which will eventually increase their work productivity as the team productivity.   10. Ideal image   Maintain an ideal image, which every team member wishes to be you in the future. Never get into a situation that can affect your image or position from your team’s perspective. Remember the fact that your team will look up to you in any situation, so try to be available for them and help them even in their personal life as long as it is legit.   11. Encourage Exercise and Self-Care   Especially for remote teams, or office jobs that involve a lot of time being sat at a desk, it's essential to encourage the team to take a break from their screens, walk around, and stretch their legs. Even a bodyweight workout a few times a week can make a big difference in productivity and overall health. Some other things you can do include giving employees perks like a free gym membership, or if you're in a position to, you could even set up a small space separate from the office for doing workouts and set up a few machines or sets of weights.   Conclusion   Understands that a team thrives in a supportive, collaborative environment. By implementing Team Productivity Software, software team productivity tools, and team collaboration and productivity software solutions, you can create a workplace that inspires teamwork, boosts productivity, and aligns everyone toward shared goals. Remember, success isn’t about managing people—it’s about leading them to greatness. Don’t be a manager be a leader, be the face or brand ambassador of your team.   TEAM - Together, Everyone Can Achieve More.   FAQs     1. How does feedback improve employee performance?   Constructive feedback helps employees understand what's expected, correct mistakes early, and refine their skills—leading to improved performance and efficiency.     2. Why is collaboration important in the workplace?   Collaboration promotes knowledge sharing, encourages innovation, strengthens problem-solving, and helps teams stay aligned on priorities and deadlines.     3. Can collaboration reduce project delays?   Yes, by maintaining clear communication and assigning responsibilities collaboratively, teams can avoid misunderstandings and delays—leading to smoother project execution.     4. What role do tools play in productivity?   Tools like project management apps, messaging platforms, and time trackers help streamline workflows.     5. How does technology improve team collaboration?   Tools like Troop Messenger enable real-time messaging, file sharing, screen sharing, and task coordination—allowing teams to stay connected and collaborate effectively from anywhere.     6.Does collaboration improve employee satisfaction?   Absolutely. When team members feel heard, supported, and involved in decision-making, it leads to higher engagement, morale, and job satisfaction.     7. How can regular feedback boost productivity?   Regular feedback helps boost productivity by providing employees with clear guidance, recognizing their efforts, and identifying areas for improvement. It keeps individuals aligned with goals and encourages continuous growth.     8. How does team collaboration affect productivity?   Effective team collaboration significantly boosts productivity by improving communication, reducing duplicated efforts, and accelerating decision-making. When teams work together seamlessly, they can achieve goals faster and with greater efficiency.  

Whether you’re testing the waters or already jumped in, one of the best ways to become the most productive business person you can be is by learning from the experiences of top entrepreneurs. Table of Contents Why You Should Seek Out Top Entrepreneurs for Advice The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Steve Jobs Global Entrepreneur Statistics 8 Productivity Lessons From Top Entrepreneurs Final Thoughts On Business Productivity Tips By Successful Entrepreneurs Why You Should Seek Out Top Entrepreneurs for Advice Undoubtedly, if you’ve already tested your entrepreneurial skills and need a bit more input on what’s required to stay motivated and productive, reading the words of those who’ve ‘been there and done that’ can be impactful and inspiring.   And if you are contemplating becoming an entrepreneur, you will need to adopt behaviors that will catapult you into the realm of solid productivity. That’s if you plan on going the distance. Why not heed the advice of those with solid experience?   Nonetheless, even ‘roses have thorns’ and there will be challenges. Seeing that the top entrepreneurs have met those challenges and achieved success; they are the ones to turn to for inspiration. Heeding their words will help you remain productive and motivated throughout your business challenges, and keep you balanced through your successes. The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Steve Jobs Take a look at the top business moguls. Do they appear stressed out, cranky, or disoriented? They’re definitely under pressure and lots of it. But how do they remain – at least during their public appearances – so nonchalant and easygoing? The late Steve Jobs was the personification of swag and worldly refinement.   When viewing videos of Steve Jobs, pay attention to how he takes command of the audience. Smooth and articulate, he made it all seem so easy. But there’s something he mastered that every entrepreneur should learn to do. What is it?   Jobs was an expert at managing and organizing his time. He was adept at eliminating tasks that were a waste of time.   Did he put in 70-hour work weeks? More than likely. However, he didn’t spend his time on things that he could delegate to others. His focus was on what he could do well instead of handling time-wasting tasks and not being productive.   If you optimize your time properly, both your life and your business will be productive.   “My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.” - Steve Jobs entrepreneur, founder of Apple Inc, App Store Global Entrepreneur Statistics According to the latest research, globally there are roughly 580 million entrepreneurs. The majority, 26%, stated their main reason for making such a move was the desire to be their own boss. Followed by 23% who felt the need to realize their life purpose.   19% took the leap because the opportunity was there 6% made the decision after being laid off 3% said it was due to their life situation 26% look to the internet for business advice, followed by their workmates, books, and lastly family members according to data on the most popular industries for start-ups, businesses, and comestibles tops the list at 11%, wellness/beauty at 10%, merchandising at 7%, and home services at 6%   Parvesh Benning, entrepreneur and founder of Protect Your Wealth, wanted to foster a trusting, long-lasting relationship with his clientele on his terms. So, he left the corporate world and started his own business with top LLC formation services.   “I did not want to limit my clients’ financial opportunities because of corporate policy,” he adds, “I wanted to offer a holistic needs-based practice that puts its clients first. Protect Your Wealth was established with this goal in mind.” 8 Productivity Lessons From Top Entrepreneurs 1. Think outside the box If you remain too cautious, you won't make progress. This is not a call to be reckless; however, by thinking outside the box, you instinctively look for ways to improve.   Not only for your business but the world around you. The pay-off is intelligent and enterprising ideas and solutions. Opening up to alternative viewpoints and ways of doing things is what successful entrepreneurs are made of.   “Whatever you do, be different—that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.” -Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop 2. Maintain focus “It’s a mindset and a lifestyle. When you eliminate unimportant things, you circumvent distractions and focus on essential goals. Essentialism is about making the best possible investment of your time and energy, with the intention of operating at your highest point of efficiency by only doing what is essential.” - Greg Mckeown, author of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less   If you find yourself visiting the comment section of your favorite forum or watching a video on one of the many video-sharing platforms when you should be working, you’re taking precious time away from honing your entrepreneurial skills and building your business.   “Cut out the excess and remain focused on the most crucial activities or projects each day.” - Evan Musk founder, CEO, CTO, and chief designer of SpaceX; early investor, CEO, and product architect of Tesla, Inc. Tips for focusing on what’s important:   Organize and prioritize day-to-day chores and stick to deadlines Become ‘unsocial’ and deactivate your social media and smartphone alerts Avert, if possible, unanticipated visits and/or meetings Get emails out of your way with a task management tool like Trello or Evernote Maintain a tranquil and ergonomic setting   3. Money isn’t everything “Chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.” -Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO. This is not to say that money isn’t important.   “Don’t presume that loads of money will make your startup take off. There are more things to a business than investors, and it’s possible to achieve success with your startup without breaking the bank.” - Barnaby Lashbrooke, founder and mastermind of Time Etc.   “Remain financially independent as long as possible” - Garrett Camp, Co-founder of Uber, StumbleUpon, and Expa.   Founder of SkinnyMe Tea, Gretta Rose says “Start as small as you can. When I started I had $24 in the bank, and I was completely self-funded.” 4. Know your priorities “It’s not enough to prioritize your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” - Kunika Rathore, entrepreneur, software engineer, writer, designer, dance artist, and co-founder of theunkowns.ai.   Studies reveal that over 40% of a business owner’s time is used unproductively. Take the time to organize your day effectively with the right apps. Only assign what you think is doable. Forget trying to look busy, be honestly busy with the right priorities that will help your business flourish.   “Be realistic about what is vital and what can get done. If you find yourself continuously rescheduling something, you need to determine whether it’s actually a priority for your task list. Successful people know how to pinpoint their priorities, so it’s not uncomfortable for them when it comes to purging irrelevant tasks.” - Omer Perchik, founder of Any.do   A serial entrepreneur and investor Neal Taparia, who now runs a brain training platform Solitaired, says — “We have a tendency to procrastinate some of our most difficult tasks, which tend to be the most important. When you start your day and you’re mentally fresh, take on the toughest tasks. Not only will you get them out of the way, but it also makes the rest of your day easier and more productive. This system has allowed me to succeed at multiple businesses''.   In addition, Tim Ferriss, who penned the book ‘The Four-Hour Workweek,’ is a pro when it comes to productivity. He prefers to focus on the three essential things he can achieve in the first 60-to-90 minutes of the day to ‘win the morning.’ 5. Learn to relax Alan Cohen is a well-known inspirational author of 27 books. He says “There’s virtue in work and there’s virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”   If you are seeking a way to balance your entrepreneurial leanings, learn how to take it easy during your journey.   Taking regular breaks and power naps provides the opportunity to regroup, re-energize, and re-focus. Meditation, listening to soothing music, taking a walk, reading inspirational prose, whatever you do..enjoy it and forget about work during your break. 6. Stay physically fit British entrepreneur, author, investor, and philanthropist Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, is the founder of the Virgin Group which manages over 400 companies. One of his most famous being Virgin Atlantic airlines and Virgin Records.   Branson’s advice about staying productive includes regular exercise. He believes that staying fit keeps the feel-good hormones – endorphins – flowing, and keeps the brain active and productive. He’s adamant about keeping fit and feels confident in the fact that ‘he achieves double the amount in one day’ by staying fit and healthy.   Entrepreneur Selena Narayanasamy the founder of Orthris – an SEO and digital strategist company – highly values the benefits of taking care of your health. “Even though my workload is less, my output and perceptiveness have increased, and I’m more proficient with my clients.”   Schedule time for physical activity, which should also include eating healthy. Whether it’s taking a brisk walk or jog before getting down to business each day, going to the gym a few times a week, or practicing a low-impact muscular strengthening exercise like Pilates. 7. Go tech Access to today's technology has awarded entrepreneurs massive opportunities to improve communication, and efficiency, explore fresh markets for growth, increased employee engagement, and more.   Modern technology offers a variety of business apps and software to assist with increasing productivity without compromising quality.   Remote working stats suggest that many people now work from remote locations largely because they have the right tech tools.   The key question you should be asking yourself each day is “can this be automated and if so, how?” The words of entrepreneur Michael Dell, Dell Chairman, and CEO, profoundly express the need for technology “Ideas are a commodity. Execution of them is not.”   Setting up automation systems and processes utilizing tools like Zapier or IFTTT will help to boost productivity. Perhaps you require tools for creating data visualizations, reports, or infographics. Use tools that help you transfer data between your web apps automatically while you concentrate on more essential work.   Utilize technology for tasks, email responses, setting up video conferences, and more, which is crucial for business growth. 8. Devise An Effective Email Strategy Every aspiring business entrepreneur needs an effective email strategy. An inbox that’s swamped with emails can dampen your spirits or make you miss important deadlines. It’s difficult to remain productive when your mailbox is a mess.   Rob Rawson, the founder of Time Doctor, advises that you, establish a zero inbox policy. It just means that you’re always going back to zero with your inbox, so you’ve got this conscious attention on handling each email immediately. When it comes to you, you don’t procrastinate, going ‘Oh, I’ll do that tomorrow. I don’t need to do that now.’ And then you come back to it and you go ‘Oh, I don’t need to do that now,’ again, so you’re constantly re-reading all of the e-mails. Instead of that, you handle it straight away, you delete it, you archive it, or you can actually then put it into your task system and prioritize it.”   Using reliable data, entrepreneurs can generate better business insights and deliver significant value such as performance optimization, product innovation, business growth, efficient campaigns, team empowerment, and customer experience. It is a super productivity hack to work out inefficiencies and a trial-and-error approach. - Gary Viray, founder of Propelrr.   To be a productive entrepreneur, develop and stick to an effective email policy. Final Thoughts On Business Productivity Tips By Successful Entrepreneurs As an entrepreneur, you want to be successful, and there’s nothing wrong with that! However, keep in mind that there will be challenges. All business owners have them. Drew Houston, Dropbox Co-Founder, and CEO say “Don’t worry about failure; you only have to be right once.” Those are encouraging words!

Chatbots sit in an interesting space in the digital world. On the one hand, they clearly offer potential. The ability to answer queries and take the menial workload off means more work-hours saved.   And yet, there are considerable hurdles to implement them. Firstly, AI-powered chatbots are hardly perfect. How many times have we had a hilarious encounter with a chatbot which keeps giving us answers we never asked?   Often, the very utility of conversational AI-powered chatbots is questionable. Chatbots can at best answer simple questions. But, depending on the complexity of a website development, such abilities may not be required at all.   All of this of course leaves many business owners hanging in the dark. Should they go for a chatbot or not? In the following paragraphs, we shall explore what chatbots are and whether they might be an asset worth investing in.   Types of chatbots   While chatbots may have started as simple query-answer engines, they’ve morphed into far more sophisticated tools today. So, we have two types of chatbots available today —   The original, simple chatbot which spits out programmed answers to expected questions. It simply says something like “I don’t understand,” or “let me redirect you to someone” when confronted with a question it can’t answer. A simple chatbot workflow looks like — Conversational AI solutions capable of understanding user intent. Apple’s Siri would be a good example here. These systems have complex modules including Automated Language Recognition (ALR), Spoken Language Understanding (SLU), Dialog Manager (DM) and Natural Language Generation (NLG). A conversational UI will look something like —  The evolution of man-machine conversation is an interesting one, albeit beyond the scope of this article. Check out this piece on the difference between chatbots and conversational AI from which the definitions above are taken. Figuring out whether your website needs a chatbot   Right, so chatbots have come a long way. But, do you even need one? Unfortunately, this is a tricky question to answer.   At the surface, chatbots do offer value. Any website could use a chatbot since they help users find the information they are looking for faster than searching the site manually. They also have a great ROI when compared to conventional labor scenarios like hiring a college student to work online and support your business. They are fairly different from team chat softwares. Even so, chatbots aren’t exactly a fire and forget investment. You will need to set aside time and money to make them work. Not to mention, since conversational AI is an evolving technology, your chatbot will need periodic updates and maintenance. But while the decision may seem perplexing, there are a few telltale signs you can use to determine whether you need a chatbot or not.   You offer a fairly technical product or service   The more technical a product gets, the more questions it inspires. More often than not, most questions will be similar. While you can always put together a FAQ section, chances are your audience may not be able to get to it, or will simply not bother to read it. Conversational AI chatbot solutions for websites will be ideal here.   For example, a European telecom company set up a pilot program to test conversational chatbots for common inquiries. After about five weeks of training, the chatbot was able to resolve 82% of the questions on its own, and 88% with some human help.   The same can hold true for any company offering technical products or services. The SaaS investment service EarlyBird for instance offers a service for parents looking to invest in their children.   In this case, anyone visiting can have a plethora of questions that the site can’t answer on the homepage itself. How does the investment work? Is there a maturity period? Will the investment command an interest? A conversational virtual assistant can prove valuable here.   Since the website already has an FAQ section, this can be expanded into a conversational AI chatbot. Likewise, Inflow Inventory which offers an inventory software solution has quite a lot to explain in very short space. It can easily use a chatbot to answer questions its visitors are bound to have.   You offer a wide variety of products   There’s a rule in the digital marketing world — if someone can’t find what they’re looking for in 15 seconds, they’ll leave. Obviously, this doesn’t bode well for eCommerce websites with a lot to sell. That’s why businesses should create videos and embed them on the various pages of their website.   The more products you offer, the more content you need to put on your site. Consequently, there’s a greater chance someone won’t find what they’re looking for and leave. While search bars can help here, the problem can exacerbate if many of the products are similar in nature.   Check out LFA capsules fillers for example — The website clearly has many products that are hard to tell apart. But, since a visitor may have specific requirements, they’ll have to go through the site to find the right fit. In this case, LFA capsule fillers can build some clever conversational engineering into their website and help visitors find what they’re looking for faster.   Similarly, the website Preply which offers an online space for tutors and language students to collaborate can also use a chatbot. First-time visitors might struggle to find the right tutor, in which case a conversational chatbot can understand their requirements, and direct them to the right tutor.   Currently, they offer live chat support only when agents are available. Visitors to their website need to check their support page for support timings and other ways to get help.     Your customer support staff spends more time answering generic questions   It takes a lot of time to train support staff to communicate properly with customers. And yet more often than not, they tend to answer questions that could’ve been solved with a simple search. Think questions like — What's the price of X product? How long does shipping take? How can I track my package? Who to contact for X issue? Etc Is there a coupon?   An AI chatbot can easily answer such questions. But, a chatbot can solve other problems too. Even though many of a customer’s questions will be simple, they may still have to face common customer support issues.   It can take far longer to get an available agent. Or, the support person may not know the answer. Or, the query gets redirected several times.   A chatbot is on 24/7, so, no waiting. It will also either know or won’t know, so, no umms or ughs. Finally, it can direct people to the exact resource since it can scan an entire database in a second or so.   The chatbot on this PLM company’s website is a great example of an AI chatbot:   Based on the responses selected, the chatbot will provide and request specific information from the user. This keeps the responses provided relevant to every user's personal needs rather than spitting out one-size-fits-all responses.   For example, the train ticketing and reservation company Amtrak used chatbots to answer 5 million questions a year. They even made an astounding 800% return on their investment. Features to include in your chatbot   There are bad chatbot implementations, and there are good ones. You don’t want your chatbot conversations to end up like this —   Again, training a conversational AI chatbot is not what we’re talking about here, but here’s an exhaustive resource on the same. Even when you do have a great chatbot, there are a few tweaks that can take it from good to great. Here are a few ideas —   Offer the most logical option right at the start While people opening a chatbot will know what they are looking for, you can offer them options, too. Check out the chatbot implemented by Reply —     This is a fairly simple implementation. But Reply gets a few things right.   Firstly, the header says Reply Team. So, the user knows their messages will be delivered to a human, even if they are conversing with a bot.   Next, Reply offers marketing automation tools. The most logical course of action a user can take is to book a meeting here. The bot then simply helps the user set up an appointment.   The takeaway is that your bot needn’t do it all. You can have it only dedicated to single tasks like scheduling appointments or finding articles.   In case there’s no answer, let the visitor know when you’ll reply   It’s entirely possible that your chatbot won’t be able to help visitors at times. In such cases, be sure to show the time it will take for an agent to get back to them. This may seem like a small point, but your visitors will appreciate it.   For example, GiliSports showcases the time they take to get back to their visitor’s queries on their chatbot —   Let your chatbot flaunt your style   A chatbot’s utility is obvious in how effectively it can understand and answer queries. Even so, no one will want to communicate with a robot. One way to give your bot some style will be to identify it with what you do.   Runners Athletics will be a good example here. The company offers glasses for runners. And the chatbot invites the site visitors to talk with fellow runners.   Include a human picture in your chat box   Communicating with a bot isn’t something most people are going to be used to. You can make the conversational chatbot in easier by including visuals in your chat box.   A great way here is to add a picture. It can either be that of the customer support agent who handles redirected requests, or, even a stock photo. Check out the chat box used by Goaura —     Another way to make your chat more human is to directly inform your customers that they will be talking to a real person, as you can see above with GoAura. Moreover, it has a friendly picture and information about when the user can expect an answer from an agent. Both of these inclusions help keep the conversation polite, predictable, and easy.    Conclusion Despite the hurdles mentioned above, chatbot adoption rates continue to rise across the board. In fact, according to Deloitte, by 2022, we’ll be chatting more with chatbots than our spouses.    Conversational AI certainly offers a solution to mundane business issues, and, you should at the very least give it a whirl.

If you’ve handled a group project or managed a team, you already know how important it is to communicate with your team members.   To streamline communication and collaboration at your workplace, you must onboard your teams on the best work collaboration apps.   But, what are those apps that can help you break silos and improve productivity at the same time? Best Online Collaboration Tools 1. Troop Messenger 2. ProofHub 3. Asana 4. Basecamp 5. Flock 6. Facebook Workplace 7. Google Workspace 8. Microsoft Teams 1. Troop Messenger   Known as a feature-rich office chat app, Troop Messenger is an easy-to-use tool with seamless UI and UX. This business chat app has functionalities and features that are well-crafted to ensure seamless collaboration and communication across teams.   Best Known for:   Unlimited messages Unlimited Group creation LDAP/Active Directory/ SSO Group calling video call and audio call Burnout ( private chatting ) Multi companies collaboration Big file sharing Forkout( pushing message to all at once) Audio messages Edit and delete messages Invite clients to collaborate with the team Code snippet sharing Multiplatform synchronization SAAS & On-Premise solution   Pricing: FREE*  SIGNUP NOW   Why Choose Troop Messenger: If you are looking for an affordable team chat app with all essential features such as one-on-one messaging, group conversations, file previews, voice-video calls, screen sharing, and a confidential chat window, Troop Messenger makes for a perfect pick.   Download Troop Messenger 2. ProofHub   ProofHub is designed specifically for simplified project management and enhanced team collaboration without making things complicated for users. It works as an “all-in-one” solution for project managers who can manage everything with a single app. A suite of advanced features helps you eliminate resource wastage and maximize productivity while enabling users to enjoy a fine work-life balance.ProofHub gives you greater control over teams and projects with a Bird’s eye view of all your project resources in a single place.   Best known for:   Organizes all your tasks and projects neatly in a centralized location Encourages timely, quick communication with Instant chat, Discussions, etc. Eliminates time wastage with a time-tracking tool. Ease of usage, intuitiveness, and a simple learning curve. Easy management of different types of work requests with Forms. Custom workflows to fit your work structure. Project tracking and management with Multiple project views.   Pricing: Plan Type Essential Ultimate Control Monthly charges Flat $50 per month, unlimited users Flat $99 per month, unlimited users  Highlights 40 projects, 15GB storage, Calendars, Forms, Proofing Unlimited projects, 100GB storage, Custom roles, White labeling, Workflows   Why Choose ProofHub: ProofHub helps businesses and their teams cut down on resource wastage, unorganized work structures, and miscommunication that cause low productivity and delayed projects. The tool offers a suite of advanced features that help project teams streamline and organize all their work and utilize available resources in the most efficient manner possible. 3. Asana   Asana is known for bringing the team’s goals, files, plans, and files together in one shared space. Businesses use this task management app for organizing and assigning tasks.   Best known for:   Manage overlapping, dependent, and unscheduled tasks Automate routine work 100+ integration options to communicate, coordinate, and collaborate Workflow management Real-time charts and visual highlights   Pricing: Plan Type Basic Premium Business Enterprise Monthly charges US $0 US $10.99 US $24.99  Custom  Highlights Unlimited tasks, messages, projects, and activity log unlimited. Admin console, dashboards, and private teams and projects  Lock custom fields, Portfolios, Advanced integrations, and customization features  SAML, block native integrations, and priority support    Why Choose Asana: Asana lets team managers keep track of who is doing what and by when. With Asana, communication is actionable and focused and you’ll always have an update about work. Hence, teams spend less time talking about work, and more on getting it done. 4. Basecamp   Basecamp is more than a work chat app - businesses are utilizing this state-of-the-art tool to stay more organized and productive. As an online collaboration tool, Basecamp allows users to communicate better with fewer meetings.   Best known for:   Message boards: to post announcements, updates, and share ideas Schedule: Through Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCal Group Chat: Direct messages and group chats in real-time Docs and Files: Share files, images, docs, and spreadsheets Automatic Check-ins: Inform and interact with teams about the latest updates and progress To-dos: Create lists of works that need to be done   Pricing:   Plan Type Basecamp personal Basecamp Business Monthly charges US $0 US $99 per month Highlights 20 Users,3 projects,1GB of storage space Unlimited projects, users, team projects, clients, project templates, and advanced clients access500 GB of storage space Why Choose Basecamp: Basecamp saves companies and businesses from a constant barrage of notifications that steal attention and create a distraction. With Basecamp, you get to centralize all your communication and notification and minimize interruptions.  5. Flock    Flock is best known as an instant messaging app for businesses. However, growing businesses are using this app for breaking silos, building stronger work relationships, and bridging gaps.   Best known for:    Add to-dos right to your account Read-only channels for organizational information that need no reply Option to Migrate Slack account to Flock without losing past conversations Integrate with apps of your choice Personalized onboarding Dedicated 24/7 support   Pricing: Plan Type Starter Plan Pro Plan Enterprise Plan Monthly charges  Free US $2.5 per user per month Customized Pricing Highlights 10k messages,1 Auto-Join channel,1 Announcement channel10 public channel 5 GB storage space per team single team admin Unlimited messages, Auto-Join channel, Announcement channel, public channel 10  GB storage space per team Single team admin Unlimited messages,Auto-Join channel, Announcement channel, and public channel 20 GB storage space per teamSingle team admin   Why Choose Flock: Flock, as a productivity and collaboration tool, ensures seamless file sharing and simple project management, and enhanced video conferencing. It’s best for teams that run on these features and want to boost productivity by avoiding clutter and chaos. 6. Facebook Workplace   Facebook Workplace, as a business chat app, connects everyone in your company on a virtual platform. It has useful features on a familiar interface - chat rooms, group chats, live video broadcasting, and media sharing. As an online collaboration tool, Workplace is secure, simple, and connects everyone irrespective of their geographical location.   Best known for:   Manage employee access through G Suite and Azure Open the conversation to everyone with auto-translate Talk to the right people at the right time with Groups Any small- to mid-sized company with teams who need to work together Teams with remote members Running news feed   Pricing: Plan Type Advanced Enterprise Monthly charges US $4 Per Person/ Per Month  US $8 Per Person/ Per Month Highlights Unlimited team and project groups, 1 TB per person file storage, and admin control Unlimited team and project groups, unlimited file storage, directory integration access, and 24/7 support access   Why Choose Facebook Workplace: Workplace, as a communication app, makes it easy for everyone to communicate, from the shop floor to the head office. Apart from the live video facility, the workplace lets businesses measure the impact with insights, and also get input on decisions with surveys and polls. 7. Google Workspace (Formerly G Suite)   Google Workspace is everything you need to get anything done. This integrated workspace is simple to you and has features to let you integrate, expand, and customize existing features to meet your team’s needs. Apart from that, the tool lets you spend less time managing work, and more time on actually doing it.   Best known for:   Any small- to mid-sized company with teams who need to work together Teams with remote members Video calls with recording features Attendance tracking feature Custom Business Emails Enhanced Security Controls   Pricing: Plan Type Business Starter Business Standard Business Plus Monthly charges $1.25 per user per month US $9.25 per user per month US $17.25 per user per month Highlights 100-participant video meetings Custom Business Email 30 GB cloud storage per user Standard Support 150-participant video meetings Security and management controls Meeting  recording features 2 TB cloud storage per user 250-participant video meetings 5 TB cloud storage Attendance tracking Enhanced security control   Why Choose Google Workspace: Google Workspace can help businesses get more done in less time - it has both productivity and collaboration features that are loved by billions of users. Like Google Workspace, it provides teams access to collaboration tools such as Gmail, Meet, Chat, Calendar, Drive, Sheets, Slides, Docs, Forms, Sites, and more. 8. Microsoft Teams   Known as an online collaboration tool, Microsoft Teams has become a hub for teamwork - it brings together everything a team needs - from threaded conversations to chat, video conferencing to meetings, content collaboration to calling, and the ability to integrate with apps.   Best Known for:   Video conferencing with Screen sharing & Custom backgrounds File sharing to securely store, share, access, and collaborate Apps and workflows to streamline critical business processes and tasks Availability in 53 languages Privacy and security compliance   Pricing: Plan Type Free Plan Microsoft 365 Business Basic Microsoft 365 Business Standard Office 365 E3 Monthly charges $0 $1.71 per user per month US $9.05 per user per month US $18.11 per user per month Highlights 300 participants in a video meetings Maximum meeting duration of 60 minutes Customized Background 300 maximum number of users 1 TB storage per user 99.99% financially-backed uptime 250 integrated apps 1 TB storage per user & per 10 GB per license Additional Microsoft 365 services 10000 participant video meetings 24-hour meeting duration 500k maximum users Unlimited file attachment   Why Choose Microsoft Teams: If you are looking for a chat-based remote collaboration tool that offers cool features such as file sharing, online meetings, integration with Office 365 tools, and meeting recording, MS Office should be the ideal choice. Choose the Best Chat App As you can see, each app has its purpose. So choosing an app might be overwhelming at first, but once you understand how their features differ, it'll be much easier to choose between them.   Our list of online collaboration tools should be enough to get you started, so have a look through and check out the feature outlines.   If you are running a technology company, you may want to consider Troop Messenger. As an online collaboration tool, it is fully customizable to your business needs and the tool can run on your own servers as well.