Team management presents numerous difficulties but access to appropriate tools can significantly improve your effectiveness. A wide range of tools exists to help managers streamline their processes and lead their teams more effectively through project management and communication solutions.
This blog post examines top tools available for managers to improve their team’s productivity and communication along with enhancing overall performance.
15 best tools for managers
The role of a manager presents challenges that necessitate strong communication skills along with organizational and leadership abilities. Managers have access to multiple tools which simplify their responsibilities and optimize their productivity. These are 15 top-rated management tools for leaders to enhance their effectiveness.
1. Fellow
Experienced managers can accurately determine which moments require team meetings and which situations they should forgo. Good managers have the skills to plan meetings, lead them effectively, and follow up on the agreed action points. Apps like Fellow provide efficient solutions for managing these tasks.
Fellow allows you to develop meeting agendas which you can then distribute to your team beforehand. Through this approach team members arrive at meetings prepared with both questions to ask and points to discuss. During meetings you have the capability to take notes and assign tasks to your team members. However, Fellow doesn’t offer real-time audio recording. The team can provide feedback after meetings to help improve future sessions.
Fellow provides functions to make agendas and take notes while also allowing users to assign tasks and collect feedback. Fellow provides a free plan with paid subscriptions available from $6 per user every month.
Fellow enables meetings to run efficiently and productively through preparation and accountability for all participants. Businesses across all industries benefit from Fellow because it maximizes meeting efficiency and saves time.
2. Todoist
Todoist functions as a task management tool that supports you in sorting and organizing your work tasks. The application reveals which tasks carry the highest priority allowing you to save time and maintain progress. The app excels at monitoring team productivity but it lacks Gantt chart functionality. Managers utilize Todoist to effectively organize tasks and delegate them to their team members. The app provides a secure workspace for your tasks accompanied by clear project summaries to ensure you stay informed. The app enables users to make to-do lists while assigning deadlines and determining task importance effortlessly. Todoist enables team collaboration and task delegation while syncing information across multiple devices for easy management of projects. The application offers integration capabilities with other tools including email and calendar applications to enhance user convenience.
3. Google Workspace
Successful organizations make daily use of Google Workspace which contains essential Google tools including Gmail, Docs and Sheets. Team collaboration is supported through features such as slides presentations alongside calendars and meeting tools in this suite. Teams might require additional storage space which necessitates shifting to Google Workspace’s paid subscription options.
Formerly known as G Suite, Google Workspace encompasses cloud-based services including Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Calendar, Forms, and Sites. These solutions enable users to work together on documents and spreadsheets as well as presentations in real time.
Google Workspace provides various pricing plans which begin at $6 per user per month for basic functionalities and extend to $12 per user per month for advanced security and administration tools. Google Workspace enables users to collaborate on files in real-time while it automatically saves any changes made.
Google Workspace allows integration with other applications like Salesforce, Slack, and Trello to improve operational efficiency. The suite protects your data and manages devices through strong security features including two-factor authentication and data encryption as well as permission settings.
4. Zoom
You probably rely heavily on Zoom these days because it delivers excellent video and audio features for connecting remote teams. Zoom offers versatility through its capability to host live chats and webinars while enabling screen-sharing features. Regular Zoom usage can result in users experiencing a condition known as “Zoom fatigue”.
Zoom Shift serves as a work scheduling application that generates employee schedules by factoring in availability along with overtime and time-off requests. The software increases employee responsibility while minimizing conflicts in work schedules. The app connects directly to payroll systems for straightforward data exporting. The app supports effective team interactions while improving how employees experience their work.
Google Drive functions as a cloud storage platform that enables users to upload files and access them across multiple devices. Users can access files from anywhere and share them with others through cloud storage.
The Zoom Shift platform provides digital work scheduling through desktop and mobile platforms which allows real-time monitoring of schedules and timesheet management. The platform provides schedule automation capabilities while allowing template customization for various shift types and managing employee leave situations. Users can start with pricing plans like Starter, Premium, and Enterprise while testing features through a 14-day free trial that doesn’t require credit card details.
5. Proof Hub
Proof Hub serves as an effective project management tool to help you oversee your team’s projects. Proof Hub stands out from other project management tools because it provides flat-rate subscription fees which make it more cost-effective for users. You must use PayPal or a credit card payment method to avoid paying higher fees.
Proof Hub offers a user-friendly interface available in six different languages which makes it an excellent tool for international project management. You can quickly create tasks and assign them to team members while tracking project progress through Gantt charts and reviewing and commenting on files in Proof Hub. Detailed project reports along with time tracking capabilities and cloud storage space for files are available through the software. Proof Hub offers users the ability to take notes while also providing a built-in chat app for communication and a work request management feature.
6. Evernote
Evernote has improved my work productivity and efficiency significantly. My desk used to be covered with disorderly sheets of paper with various random notes and ideas scattered across them. Evernote gives me a single location for my information that allows me to access my notes from any device.
The ability to quickly locate my notes makes Evernote one of my favorite tools. I can retrieve precisely what I need using just a few words even when I wrote my notes months ago. I can speed up my search process by organizing my notes and adding tags to them. Evernote enables multiple users to collaborate on notes simultaneously. I can work together with my team members or partner on work projects and grocery lists in real time.
7. Whereby
Working remotely becomes much simpler when I use Whereby because it’s an outstanding video conference service. A dependable communication method that’s easy to use remains essential for remote workers to engage with colleagues and clients. The feature I prefer most about Whereby is its user-friendly design which requires no technical expertise. The video and sound quality deliver excellent performance while the interface remains simple to understand. Users can establish private rooms and distribute access through links without requiring others to create accounts or download software. My ability to work productively from any location is enabled by this feature.
8. Chanty
I find Chanty useful for conversing with others. My co-workers, friends and family remain in constant contact because I use this tool frequently. The application functions smoothly and its usage remains straightforward for me. I find Chanty useful for both personal tasks and professional work activities. I find it very useful to be able to create specific groups for various purposes and extend invitations to select individuals for each one. The ability to save all my messages and retrieve them easily later makes this platform very useful. Chanty offers multiple useful functions including file sharing capacity as well as screen sharing and voice message storage. Chanty serves as an exceptional application which allows me to complete tasks faster while saving me time.
9. TeuxDeux
TeuxDeux serves as an excellent application for maintaining organization and focus. TeuxDeux uses simple design principles to help you efficiently manage tasks and determine priorities. TeuxDeux serves as a helpful tool whether you use it for professional tasks or personal activities.
The simplicity of TeuxDeux makes it stand out as one of its best features when it comes to usage. TeuxDeux maintains simplicity while other to-do list applications offer excess features. This application gives you a distraction-free environment where you can direct your attention to completing tasks. The app provides useful features to help you sort out your tasks. With TeuxDeux you can effortlessly rearrange tasks to different days while having the ability to mark them as done and create repeating tasks. You can enhance a task by attaching notes and files when you need additional information or context.
10. Time Doctor
Time Doctor functions as a productivity enhancement tool. Time Doctor helps you stay focused by tracking your time and blocking out distractions while increasing your productivity. Your time-tracking reports detail your usage of websites and programs. This platform offers essential functions which include project organization tools together with time monitoring capabilities and team supervision features.
While working remotely I understood why time management is so essential. I discovered Time Doctor during that period and it revolutionized my work routine. The time tracking feature revealed the exact duration I spent working on each project. The productivity reports became transformative because they revealed my daily work output. I remained motivated because setting goals and monitoring my progress proved effective. Time Doctor has helped me manage my remote work more efficiently and effectively.
11. Shift
Change represents a permanent aspect of our existence which poses numerous challenges for people to manage. A change in our work, relationships or personal circumstances often leads to feelings of fear and stress. Having the proper mindset allows us to see how change opens doors for personal development. A willingness to learn new things combined with an open mind enables us to accept change. We should expect to feel apprehensive about new things yet recognize that inevitable changes present valuable opportunities for personal development. Modifying our perspective allows us to redirect our attention from past events toward future possibilities.
When we adjust our mindset we gain the ability to view situations through a positive lens. We should consider change as an exciting chance to learn new things and develop ourselves rather than a negative experience. When we change our point of view we maximize the opportunities that arise from change. We should free ourselves from future expectations and current attachments. We tend to maintain our connections with people and experiences that provide us with comfort and familiarity. When we let go of our attachments and approach new possibilities with openness we make room for our own development and growth.
12. Sales mate
The Sales Mate CRM program has been instrumental in my professional success. An accessible CRM tool enables businesses to effectively monitor leads and sales activities while managing tasks. My sales partner played a crucial role in significantly boosting my sales efforts. The user-friendly nature of Sales Mate stands out as one of my top favorite features. The program is straightforward to operate and everything is neatly arranged which enables quick location of needed information. Sales Mate allows me to control my contacts, deals, tasks, and calendar through a single platform.
The ability to integrate emails remains an outstanding feature of SalesMate. My email account synchronization with Sales Mate enables me to manage all client communications through a few simple clicks. The transition has been significant for me because finding necessary information now requires using only one platform. SalesMate’s reporting and analytics tools have proven to be extremely useful. I can quickly create reports for key metrics including closed deals revenue and sales activity. The generated reports provided me with essential information that helped me refine my sales strategy.
13. Paymo
Paymo offers straightforward project management software that enables you to organize tasks and adhere to project timelines. You can create tasks and manage assignments while setting priorities and sharing work through Paymo because its user-friendly interface supports any level of project management experience. Paymo enables task tracking and time monitoring while allowing you to assign deadlines which helps manage client billing and budget oversight. Task delegation combined with file sharing and in-app chat functionality enables straightforward collaboration while integration with Slack and Google Drive extends its capabilities. Paymo’s reporting and analytics tools enable you to generate comprehensive reports on completed tasks, time allocation, and team productivity which aids in pinpointing and rectifying process inefficiencies.
14. Noisli
Noisli functions as a web and mobile application that generates various calming noises to assist you in maintaining concentration while relaxing and completing tasks. The application features multiple ambient sound options such as rain, thunder, wind, waves, and forest noises which you can mix together to design your ideal soundscape. Individual sound volumes on Noisli can be modified according to your listening preferences.
Noisli includes a color generator which produces calming backgrounds that complement the music you select. This customization option makes your experience unique. Research indicates that consistent sounds such as static or fan noise, known as white noise, help people concentrate better and work more productively. Noisli features a “white noise” sound that fulfills this specific function.
Noisli offers benefits for better productivity and relaxation. Users can benefit from Noisli’s soothing soundscapes that include soft rain, crackling fire, and birds tweeting which create ideal conditions for meditation and sleep relaxation. The sounds generate a tranquil environment that relaxes an active mind which leads to better sleep.
Noisli serves as an ideal solution for students and working professionals who require assistance with focus and relaxation. The tool is user-friendly for anyone to operate while providing customizable options and a broad range of available sound choices. This program offers significant benefits that enhance both work output and personal satisfaction.
15. Deputy
Organizations regardless of size and those with shift workers need to build effective scheduling systems. The process of managing shift schedules requires ensuring sufficient staffing levels and maintaining effective communication with your team. Deputy offers a straightforward scheduling software solution that simplifies shift management and saves your time.
- Easy and Quick Shift Scheduling: Deputy software provides a user-friendly platform that enables quick creation of employee schedules. The drag-and-drop interface enables you to modify shifts and make additional changes with ease. Say goodbye to time-consuming manual scheduling.
- Demand-Based Scheduling: The deputy’s ability to adjust staff hours based on demand proves useful for scheduling needs. The software analyzes sales data, customer foot traffic, and historical patterns to determine the most effective staff assignments. Properly scheduling appropriate numbers of staff members for each shift leads to increased productivity and enhanced customer satisfaction.
- Clear and Effective Communication: Successful communication becomes vital when employees follow different work schedules. Deputy functions as a tool that enables you to accomplish this goal. The software enables you to inform your staff about updates quickly while sharing shift particulars and maintaining updates in one easy-to-access location. The mobile app included in the software enables employees to view their work schedules and receive reminders while facilitating direct communication with their supervisors and colleagues.
- Streamlined Staff Leave Management: Handling time off requests becomes complicated when employees submit diverse kinds of requests. Deputy streamlines time off requests by providing workers with the ability to submit requests online. Managers have the ability to quickly review and approve requests which helps maintain adequate staffing levels and reduces scheduling conflicts. This streamlined method ensures workflow stability while reducing possible problems.
- Time and Attendance Tracking: Deputy provides a full package to record employee arrival and departure times. Workers can record their hours through smartphones, web browsers and conventional time clocks using Deputy. This feature provides immediate updates on employee attendance which helps streamline labor cost management and tracking.
- Seamless Payroll Integration: The process of inputting timesheet information into payroll systems requires substantial time and often produces mistakes. Deputy solves this problem completely through its integration with popular payroll services. The export feature allows you to send your timesheets to payroll with a single click to enhance speed and precision in payroll processing.
Deputy provides essential innovative features which make it indispensable for organizations aiming to optimize shift scheduling, boost communication methods and increase operational effectiveness. Deputy provides businesses with complete operational support through its intuitive interface and features like demand-based scheduling and integrated payroll management.
Conclusion
The right management tools simplify the responsibilities of managing a business. Evaluate your needs to identify which tools are necessary for you to test. Good luck! You can access Nifty’s project and task management features by simply signing up. A manager must ensure that projects meet their deadlines while sticking to their financial plans. The proper tools are essential for achieving this objective. These tools provide you with the ability to maintain oversight of your team, tasks and communication systems. Select your top tools from the list and begin to use them.