As a VA, collaboration is king. So any tool that allows me to work more seamlessly with clients is invaluable. In addition, there is no use collaborating on ideas if you are having trouble sharing files and keeping track of document versions, for example. And then of course, the appearance of the work you put out is vital in creating a brand and delivering product. Hence the following three items on my list. All essential to the everyday workflow of a VA. In my humble opinion.
Google Workspace
This is by far the most user-friendly cloud-based set of business tools there are. It is also an economical choice compared to say, Dropbox. Word processing, spreadsheets, list-making, presentations, file storage and sharing, chat functions, blogging, forms, scheduling, business listings for reviews and ads … log into one account and all of this is at your fingertips. (Not a sponsored post - ha I wish it were so!)
If you’re wondering how Google Workspace compares to Microsoft Office for example, Google provides a rundown of that for you.
Trello
Trello, now owned by Atlassian, is an awesome collaboration tool that allows many users to access the same boards where you can all contribute to planning and decision making on a project. Trello makes me think of cool geeks and for me at least, is completely intuitive and immediately useful. It’s a breeze to set up a new board in your workspace and organise your thoughts around a project, so much so that in 15 minutes you can have a clear idea of your next action item but also not lose sight of the big picture.
Canva
What can I say about Canva? Amazing. Helps non-designers pump out beautiful content across a range of platforms. Has built in tools like planning and scheduling for your social posts.
Canva has extra wow factor for me as it was created in Perth by a young woman named Melanie Perkins (co-founded by her now-husband Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams).
If you don’t already have Canva in your life you need it.
Let me know your favourite tools for collaboration and working remotely. There are so many out there, there's bound to be one I've never heard of.
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