When it comes to running a business, one of the most important things to think about is communication; how will ideas be shared and developed, and how will each member of staff know what is required of them?
Internal communication tools
Internal communication is essential, which is where online tools such as Yammer, Chatter, Jive, SocialCast, and Groupsite come in; each platform has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to consider how each will work with your business model. By implementing one of these tools, or something similar, you ensure that each colleague is on the same page, and that work can progress with little doubt of what’s expected. Of course, communicating ideas is all very well, but without an effective tool to organize those thoughts, you’ll soon be back to square one.
Content organizing tools
For individuals, tools such as Evernote and WorkFlowy are great ways to leave yourself notes, while businesses will usually operate a bespoke content management system, or CMS, to organize data. Formhub and Open Data Kit are fantastic for collating information, while Streak is the tool to use if you need to organize contact information.
External communication tools
External communication is also absolutely vital when it comes to expanding your business and reaching a wider audience; how else will anyone know that you’re there, or what you offer?
LinkedIn is an absolutely amazing tool and website, allowing businesses and individuals to create and manage online CVs, as well as enabling companies to search for the right people for the job. If you’re already on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, it can be a little overwhelming managing profiles and updates, particularly if spending all day on social media isn’t part of your job description. This is where tools such as Hootsuite come in. A leading social media dashboard, Hootsuite will allow you to manage multiple networks, make regular updates, and will even measure your interactions and viewers. This is absolutely vital in today’s social media-savvy world.
On a similar note, but on a much larger scale, come cross-channel performance advertising tools, such as those provided by Matomy Media Group. Matomy offers businesses the opportunity to make infinite connections around the world, communicating with them on every level; if you’re prepared to think big, and are looking to expand, fewer tools will be as important as this. One glimpse at Matomy on Twitter should show what they’re able to do.
Which ones should I use?
Many of the tools mentioned in this article are available, in basic form at least, for free, or at a very low cost, and can be found by conducting a simple search online. Business blogs and technology sites are great places to start when it comes to looking for new tools, and they’ll often be accompanied by a guide to making the most of internal and external expansion.
Takeaway
When it comes to expanding your business, it is absolutely essential to install a few good online tools to help you manage data, communication, and networking. From internal platforms that will store data and allow colleagues to share ideas, to advertising and social media tools, there are numerous free, and low-costing, apps and tools to be found.
