The Top 34 Tools for Managing Your Virtual Team

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The Top 34 Tools for Managing Your Virtual
Team    
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The Top 34 Tools for Managing Your Virtual Team
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Lets say, for instance, that you already hired
your chosen virtual team for your expanding
business operations. Imagine shelling out your
money on these people along with your
frustrations of not having any idea of what
theyre actually doing from afar. The dreadful
curiosity shakes you every time. Its exactly the
last thing you want to think about in this
harrowing situation.   Help, what should I do?
  I can hear your distress. The fact that youre
reading this suggests that youre in luck. Ive
compiled the most commendable, if not the best
tools in communicating and managing your virtual
team. Plus, Ive also provided the tools to use
during the implementation stage of your projects.
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These tools are software, hardware, and processes
that the pros are already using in the trade and
of which made management easier for employers who
outsource. The tools are categorized in 3 types
tools to communicate, tools to manage, and tools
to implement.   Tools to Communicate The
importance of communication dates back to the
time when the Tower of Babel failed to reach the
tip of the sky. Though its a fanciful account to
associate my point, it tells us that
communication should be the foundation of a
united and successful workforce. Its the attempt
of man to bridge together distant lands and
minds.   These communication tools are to provide
better job descriptions to virtual staff,
communicate better feedback, and supply more
details about the projects to save time and
production cost.
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SCREEN ANNOTATION
Jing Project
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When youre working with designers and
developers, Jing is an amazing free collaboration
tool to put annotations or request changes into
their mock ups. You can also record your voice
while you explain how you want things to be done.
It captures what you see on your desktop while
recording it.   Jing provides the basic visual
elements in making your suggestions as clear as
possible to your designers. You can directly
upload your capture to screencast.com where your
staff can view it easily.   Though Jing is a free
tool, there are some paid features that you can
also exploit to gain better advantage. The good
thing is, it also works both for PC Mac.
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Skitch (Mac)
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Skitch is an easy-to-use screen capture, markup,
and annotation tool from Evernote. It has a very
simple user interface that even non tech moguls
can use conveniently when pointing out
something.   Skitch uses limited and traditional
image annotation tools found at the left side of
the screen. Its straightforward without any
swanky tool that only distracts your recorded
captures.
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ScreenHunter (PC)
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Like Skitch, ScreenHunter is also easy to use in
capturing objects, images, entire screens,
webpages, and more. Its clean and smoothly runs
on and after launching.   Though ScreenHunter
features a number of screenshot tools with
artistic effects, its quick toolbar lets you work
with any captured image efficiently. You can also
import files from other sources to annotate in
the same software.   If you often forget to
record or capture the progress of your work, you
can benefit from the softwares screenshot timer.
This auto-capture your shots at recurring
intervals or at any frequency you want while you
attend to more important things.
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SCREEN VIDEO CAPTURE
Jing Project
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Jing can be collaborated with Screencasts in
sharing recorded captures or videos to your
staff. It lets you select any window or area in
your screen that you would like to record. Jing
then records everything thats happening in the
chosen area anything you see or do for that
matter to produce tutorials or instructional
videos in a limited time of 5 minutes.
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Camtasia (PC)
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Camtasia is a professional and comprehensive
screen-based recording and video editing tool. It
captures anything on the screen to produce a full
featured education/information video tool. Its
effortless to use but still produces state-of-the
art results.  It has intelligent yet simple
navigation interface that you can work with
creatively in less than no time. Camtasias
capture mechanics has improved to generate
high-definition videos and can record 30 frames
per second. You can also import videos, music,
photos, and a lot more from other sources with
different formats in its video editing tool. This
impressive editing software has built-in
ready-to-use themes, animated backgrounds,
graphics, and much more. Also, its improved
version features interactive videos through
clickable hyperlinks, giving its audience an
engaging user experience.
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Screenflow(Mac)
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Screenflow by Telestream is a screen recording
and editing software for Mac. It produces high
quality recording that even plays on Retina
Displays. It has an impressive compression
system that allows full screen capture while
keeping file sizes low. It also has a powerful
video editing tool that lets you put annotations
on videos, edit with multiple layers, add
callouts and many more.   Like ScreenHunter, you
can also use its built-in recording timer if you
dont want to undergo the hassles of manually
recording what youre doing. ScreenFlow also
stops recording as the recording duration time
stops. With its pause screen recording, you can
pause your lengthy screencast recording during
breaks and resume the recording process after.
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AUDIO COMMUNICATION
iPhone
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This is called a smart phone for a reason. With
iPhones digital voice recording called Voice
Memo, you can record everything from random ideas
popping into your head to your cats little
purring.   The good part is that you can cut
through the nonsense rambles of your recording
with its editing tool. Just use the trim audio
tool to shorten your recording. But beware all
edited files are permanent so you might want to
make sure first that you got the right part saved
from trimming.
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Audacity
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Audacity is a cross platform audio recording and
editing software. Its definitely free and
easy-to-use with its codes readily available for
anyone to use or study.
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WIREFRAMING
Word
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Yes, Microsoft Word. The simple word processor
can also be used to make wireframes for your web
designs. To create the elements of your proposed
web layout, simply use MS Words textboxes and
label each boxes to your desired element such as
a banner, header, navigation bar, body, etc.
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Gliffy
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You can create almost any web-based blueprint in
Gliffy such as diagrams, organizational charts,
floor plans, processes, and website wireframes
among many others.   Its drag and drop user
interface allows you to easily add elements into
your website design. Various collections of
shapes and buttons are readily available for use
or you can import your own images for a more
visualized mock up.
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Mockflow
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A web-based app wireframe tool, Mockflow has a
minimalistic and systematised interface and an
extensive editing set.   You can also drag and
drop elements to create your wireframe and choose
from a wide array of components available such as
charts, ads, menus, and dropdowns. It also has
the ability to import your own images to add into
your web design. Mockflow lets you share and
annotate your design with others through its
design collaboration service. This helps you
review your design concepts with the team to
simplify the decision process and efficiently
finish the web layout.
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VISUAL AUDIO COMMUNICATION
LiveScribe Smart Pen
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Its a note-taking and recording innovation in a
body of a smart pen. LiveScribe has a microphone
and a little laser that records everything you
write and draw on paper. You can sync or transfer
your recordings with the computer using either
the wifi or USB cable.
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Tools to Manage Managing your virtual team from
far-flung places is like taking a walk in the
park with these management tools designed to make
you oversee their day to day operations.   These
are everyday tools to help you monitor and manage
their tasks and projects, as well as to
communicate better feedback regarding their
progress.
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DATA STORAGE
Dropbox
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Dropbox is a cloud storage host that keeps your
documents, photos, and videos for easy file
storage, access, and sharing anytime and
anywhere. You can access Dropbox through your
computer or mobile device as it automatically
synchronizes your files when saved.   It offers
free premium package when you sign up for its
services, allowing you to store up to 2GB of free
storage space for your files. If you want more
storage capacity, you have to avail first its
paid subscription.
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Google Docs Google Apps
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If Microsoft has Microsoft Word as their basic
word processor, Google also has Google Docs. The
two things that separate the latter from the
former are that Google Docs is web-based and
users can collaborate in creating a Google Docs
document online.   Google Docs is part of
Googles office applications within Google Drive.
When you create a document, its automatically
saved in Google Drive, Googles own free cloud
storage where you can view and share your files
anywhere.   Google Apps on the other hand is a
Google service that provides you with
professional email for your business, cloud
storage (Google Drive), shared calendars, word
processors (Google Docs), and so much more. Its
an all-in-one business solution that promotes
team collaboration and better business
correspondence.
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Amazon S3
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Large scale files like websites, web
applications, or any big and critical data should
be stored in Amazon S3 or otherwise called Amazon
Simple Storage Service.   Amazon S3 is a
cloud-based storage for the internet. Its built
and designed for web designers for them to take
advantage upon. Files of considerable size can be
easily scaled in Amazon S3 for better file
handling and access. Or if you dont want to
touch or tweak your data, you can simply put it
as it is in Amazon S3.
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Skype
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Since its release in 2003, Skype has become the
most widely used free instant messaging and video
call software to date.   Skype uses the internet
to get you connected to other people around the
globe. You can also call telephones and mobile
phones but with a competitive charging rate.
  What makes Skype the ultimate communication
and management tool is that it allows you to
share your screen with your contacts for
collaboration purposes. Whether youre in a hurry
to finish a design project with your team or
simply giving instructions as to how to use an
application, you can use Skype to communicate
with your virtual staff in real time.
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Gmail
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Gmail is a free email service by Google that runs
on a simplified user interface thus, making it
the most popular email host in the web. Signing
up to Gmail also entitles you to automatically
associate your email account with Googles other
services.   Gmail is fast when it comes to
displaying newly-arrived emails than any other
webmail services. This also automatically filters
spam messages and submerges unimportant emails
through its Gmail Archive feature.   Currently,
the webmail host has a built-in instant messenger
(Hangout) so you can chat with your staff
instantaneously.
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Basecamp
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Basecamp is a comprehensible project management
tool that encourages transparency and
collaboration with your team and with other
people involved. You dont need to be an all out
IT expert to use this management tool. Its
effective, efficient, and less complex than its
competitors.   You can simply create multiple
projects, to-do lists, and share them to your
virtual employees. It gives you insights to the
task that needs to be done the person behind its
completion and which projects are gaining
favorable momentum.
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TeamWorkPM
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TeamWorkPM is a project management software that
allows its users to actively collaborate in teams
in tracking issues, measuring productivity,
monitoring activities, scheduling of tasks and
milestones, and even resource management.   You
can also take advantage with its risk management
feature that allows you to handle and determine
which type of risk is worth the gamble.   Through
TeamWorkPM, you can also manage multiple projects
at the same time to reduce production cost and
shorten time spent on a single task.
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activeCollab
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Take a full view of your teams productivity and
team projects with activeCollabs all-in-one
project management solution.   Aside from its
valuable team collaboration feature and effective
project divider, activeCollab also provides time
and expenses reports to keep you on track of your
spending. It also saves you the pain of billing
with its customisable and easy invoicing.   Tired
of manually putting your schedules on your
calendar? Its drag-and-drop features make
scheduling of tasks and events hassle-free for
you so you can concentrate more on important
things.
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CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT eSupport eSupport sites let
users access to a wide range of information from
various topics online. You can answer customer
inquiries by joining eSupport forums or simply
create your own eSupport site that offers
customer support solutions.
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Desk
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Offering branded self-service experience,
Desk.com makes you open and available for your
customers when they need you the most.   This
tool lets you easily set up and customize FAQs,
contact forms, and support center in just a few
minutes. Its an all-in-one customer support app
that your agents can fully utilize to answer
customer queries at the soonest possible time.
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Tools to Implement Its the phase that will
determine the outcome of your daily team planning
and deliberation. The implementation stage shapes
the project into its actual and tangible form, or
visible for that matter. And whats more
important than making a concept come alive is
maintaining the momentum in carrying it out.
  The following tools greatly aide you in
leveraging your teams time during the
implementation phase by using a list of software
and websites that automate processes. It speeds
up the process while providing cost-effective
resources in improving results.
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VIDEO MARKETING
Traffic Geyser
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This is another recommended automatic
distribution tool for your content in the web.
Traffic Geyser is mostly known for marketing,
distributing, and promoting your videos
online.   Currently, Traffic Geyser is also
offering easy step-by-step process to set up your
website with its Website Wizard, a marketing
blueprint in building and widely publicising your
site through SEO. Aside from that, it will help
you craft shareable and interesting kinds of
content for your website.
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TubeMogul
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TubeMogul- the name already speaks for what this
company is all about and what the people in it
can offer to you. The company doesnt just
distribute your videos in the web, but they also
make sure first that your online video content is
distributed well through thorough campaign
planning (targeting), execution (optimisation),
and measurement (video analytics).   TubeMogul
wants transparency when it comes to making its
customers aware of how their video ads are
performing in the web. It only affiliates with
trusted and top class publishers and networks to
strengthen their credibility and boosting your
viewability.
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BrightCove
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Established and well-known brands have already
used Brightcove for their video advertisements.
Its a video platform that uses cloud-based
solutions for distributing and monetizing video
content on almost all devices.
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GRAPHIC DESIGN
iStockPhoto
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iStockPhoto used to only offer royalty-free stock
photos in the web and they were even free then.
Now, the company also offers royalty-free images,
illustrations, videos, and even audio files. But,
you have to pay for them now for a cheaper
price. Photographers and graphic designers from
all over the world submit millions of photos to
iStockPhoto. They could only start contributing
or selling their works for commissions after the
company makes sure that their works are subjected
to quality assurance. Its a guarantee that youd
get some of the best photos out there through
iStockPhoto.
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99designs/ LogoStore
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If youre having trouble creating your company
logo and dont know someone who can better make
it for you, 99designs would be a good choice to
go.   It uses the concept of crowdsourcing
wherein you could host a logo-making contest and
let a number of qualified graphic designers
submit their logo proposals. . You choose the
best design from the hundreds that relate to your
industry and the winner takes home the cash prize
that youve paid to 99designs. Of course, the
prize pool depends on the package that youve
availed.   However, if you like to save more, you
can buy logos for only 99 at 99designs Logo
Store. Browse thousands of ready-made logos and
their in-house team of graphic designers will
tweak your chosen logo template to add your
company name.
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WooThemes
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Web designers and developers are graced by the
existence of WooThemes huge collection of
incredible Wordpress themes, plug-ins, and
e-Commerce templates.   You can access and get 52
awesome Wordpress themes for only 399. Thats
already a great selection of your moneys worth!
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20Banners
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The name ultimately suggests what this e-Commerce
site is all about- website banners for 20 cheap.
While a banner may not be priced at exactly 20
(price range 20- 49), you are guaranteed to get
high-quality, scene-stealing flash banners that
effectively directs people into your website.
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Fiverr
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Its a bit ridiculous for some people to offer
their creative services for only 5 these days. I
mean, what good can you get from these talents if
theyre offering their services at such low
price?   At Fiverr, you can find this type of
people who are willing to do online-based jobs
for you at exactly 5! You can cheaply outsource
graphic designers, voice-over talents, writers,
web designers, etc. at Fiverr. That is, if youre
willing to take the risk or have limited
resources on hand.
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TRANSCRIPTION
Casting Words
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Most of the time, transcribing audio files that
are difficult to decipher frustrates us. We need
someone who is patient enough to do the dirty
work for us. Casting Words is one leading company
that provides audio transcription services for 1
per minute.   Their services have since expanded
from transcribing podcasts audio to a wide range
of audio listings from different industries.
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Outscribe
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Outscribe is an Australian transcription services
provider with its servers only kept in Australia
so to give its customers the assurance that
uploaded audio files are secure.   The company
boasts about their online WorkSpace wherein
clients can upload their audio files, download
the completed transcriptions, and or monitor the
progress of the job. Unlike other transcription
services provider, you are given in-depth work
reports so that youd be confident enough to
entrust your files to them.
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AUDIO/VISUAL
VideoHive
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Much like iStockPhoto, VideoHive also offers
royalty-free video footage, motion graphics and
the likes. It also has project files created via
Adobe After Effects to improve your corporate
videos and give them eye-catching graphics.  
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Audio Jungle
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Created by Envato Market, also the developer of
VideoHive, Audio Jungle sells royalty-free sound
effects, music, and other different audio files.
  You can choose cool sound effects from its
categories or you can purchase one of their music
and sound packs to add the right attitude for
your video projects or radio jingles.
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Conclusion I hope the tools that I have
featured make your virtual staffing experience
profitable and enjoyable. While these tools can
greatly intensify your overall operation and give
you the eagles eye to see whats happening out
there, your innate ability to lead and manage
staff still significantly weigh to secure your
business.   Choosing the best tools from
reputable developers and service providers is a
life-saving technique to survive in the present
market scuffle. With more and more companies
being technologically baptized and considering
constant digital innovation as the holy grail to
be on top, its hardly comfortable to just sit
back or simply saunter on the traditional
path.
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You decide what to outsource...  we do the
rest! Are you tired of outsourcing to
unreliable home based staff?Are you confused
about who to hire first and where to start?Are
your struggling to get more consistent
productivity in your business?Are you fed up
with paying for overpriced digital
marketing? If you answered yes, to ANY of the
questions above, then visitwww.myvirtualworkforce
.com.au
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