Teams | Collaboration | Customer Service | Project Management

December 2023

Free change order form template: Simplify project changes

A change order form is an official and documented change to a project plan. While the term change order is often used in the construction industry, change order forms can be used in any industry to explain how a project will deviate from the original scope. In this piece, you’ll learn how to create a change order template so you can address and implement project changes without skipping a beat. Bob Dylan said, “The times they are a-changin’,” and this is true.

AI-Based Tools for Starting and Scaling Your Business

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our work, driving innovation and saving time. If you’re looking to start a new business from scratch or expand an existing business, AI tools provide incredible opportunities for innovation and growth. With the right AI solutions in place, you can launch and proliferate. What can AI tools do for your business?

Digital Transformation in the Workplace: Boosting Productivity through Tech Integration

Students today are experiencing a sense of empowerment throughout their journey thanks to the workplace transformation strategy. Technology is reshaping education in ways. The impact of technology on a scale is undeniable and seems to be here to stay. So why not harness its potential in the classroom for your benefit? As an educator or parent, you're always looking for approaches to create a learning environment.

From ideas to execution: 5 ways to go beyond brainstorming to bring ideas to life

When it comes to fueling creativity and innovation, brainstorming is the golden child. It’s an opportunity for your team to collaborate, think big, and spitball all of your boldest ideas. It’s full of energy, enthusiasm, and imagination. But when that session is done? Crickets.

Project cost management: Definition, steps, and benefits

Cost management is the process of planning, budgeting, and reporting project spend in order to keep teams on budget and overall costs reasonable. In this article, we'll go over the four functions of cost management and explain exactly how to use them to improve your project's bottom line. When it comes to project management, there are few things more important than keeping costs under control.

Top 20 project management charts to visualize project progress

A project management chart is a visual representation of the tasks and objectives involved in a project or process. From Gantt charts to bar charts, view the top 20 project management charts and find out how they can help you become a better project manager. Whether or not it’s your job title, being a project manager means finding ways to execute work more effectively. For teams engaged in sprints or iterative work, visualizing tasks can help streamline communication and create transparency.

Guide to the Best Help Desk Software 2024

Your customers drive your business. If they are not happy, you will know, because negative words spread fast and begin to affect your reputation, and, eventually your revenues. Studies indicate that over 80% of customers make a purchase based on the quality of customer service. Creating systems that ensure timely and streamlined communication and customer support is one of the ways to provide great customer service.

How IT executives' play a key role in effective teamwork (new research)

As an IT executive, you’re at the core of the company’s collaboration, working at the intersection of people, processes, and product. And more than likely, you’re not doing it alone. To better understand the IT leader’s pivotal role in driving innovation and operational efficiency across the company, The Work Innovation Lab, a think tank by Asana, recently surveyed and interviewed IT professionals, including top execs from industry leaders like Google, Slack, and Okta.

Fixing the flaws in HR tech: Lessons from RecruitingDaily's William Tincup

Human Resources (HR) is an ever evolving discipline — thanks to constant advancements of corporate policies and technology, but also because humans are, well, complicated. Great organizations understand the need to adapt and evolve with the demands and expectations of their most valuable resources (employees). That’s where HR tech can make a big impact.

Everything You Need To Know About Inclusive Communication in the Workplace

Effective communication lies at the heart of a thriving organization. From one-on-one conversations with co-workers to general announcements and company updates, it’s safe to say that communication keeps the workplace going. Over time, the dynamics of workplace communication have evolved. Employees from diverse backgrounds want to be recognized and acknowledged. That’s why there’s presently a due emphasis on inclusion in workplace communication.

Tech leaders' new edge: Strategic and deeply human

Today’s IT leaders are no longer just operators. They’re strategists
and deal-makers. According to a recent report on the state of today’s IT leader published by The Work Innovation Lab, a think tank by Asana, there’s been a dynamic shift in today’s IT environment away from traditional IT roles toward strategic partnership roles.

3 examples of cross-functional collaboration that fueled innovation

Although cross-functional collaboration has become a buzzword in recent years, it’s not a novel concept. Working across different teams has been around for decades, dating back to the 1950s. Today, it’s a standard approach in most workplaces. According to Deloitte, 83% of digitally maturing companies report that they use cross-functional teams. But why has cross-functional collaboration become so popular? One word: innovation.

The Asana year in review: A journey through research, insights, and the future of work

As we turn the final pages of this year at Asana, we're celebrating the goals and milestones our customers achieved. To dig into these accomplishments—and explore what made them possible—the Work Innovation Lab dove deep into the nuts and bolts of how work really happened in 2023. What we've uncovered is more than just data; it's a reflection of how our customers—the very heartbeat of Asana—worked, collaborated, set goals, and achieved them together this year. View demo.

Skype for Business End of Life: what you can do about it

As the sunset date for Skype for Business looms, many organizations still grapple with its impending end. Announced two years ago, the "end of life" phase signifies more than just a transition; it's a critical juncture for IT leaders and C-suite executives to reassess communication tools and data security strategies.

Tough Conversations with CxOs: Radical Candor and Enterprise Agility at FedEx Part 2 | Atlassian

During our second episode, we continue to talk with Ken Spangler, EVP – CIO Global Operations Technology at FedEx, where we further discuss with radical candor driving a One FedEx Transformation with Enterprise Agility. Ken will share insights into how FedEx embraces enterprise agility and the value frameworks that enable it to drive innovation and adaptability within his organization.

How to automate your work with Slack

Workflow Builder is a tool in Slack that allows you to automate tasks without needing to know how to code. You can use it to create workflows that send messages, create forms, or integrate with other apps. Here are some examples of common tasks you could automate with the workflow builder: Let’s work together and create a workflow using Workflow Builder, showing you how to get started + some best practices.

Is your marketing plan set up to succeed in 2024? Use this checklist to find out.

It’s crunch time for marketing teams, with 75% of CMOs facing pressure to do more with less. But in the quest to drive revenue, a great marketing plan isn’t always enough—it’s how you implement it that matters. In this article, learn how leaders can put their annual plans into action and ensure every campaign is set up to drive revenue growth, without wasting valuable time and money in the process.

A new Zulip plan for self-hosting without commercial support

On Friday last week, we announced Zulip 8.0 and some big pricing changes for Zulip’s self-hosted customers. In response to feedback from our user community, today we are adding a new Basic plan for self-hosted Zulip installations. The Basic plan is priced at $3.50/user/month, and includes unlimited access to mobile push notifications. It does not include commercial support, which still requires purchasing a Business or Enterprise plan.

The year in review: What we worked on in 2023

In 2023 many things happened at Wire: We added much expertise to our management team, delivered federated and highly secure messaging to our customers and completely rebuilt our Android app for better performance and security. Let’s take a closer look! In April we were happy to welcome Juan Perea Rodriguez as our new General Manager and Chief Commercial Officer.

8 key features to look for in a work management platform

The way we work isn’t working. Work is scattered, tools aren’t syncing, and teams are suffering from app overload and technology fatigue. But there’s a smarter way. With an enterprise work management platform, you can connect all organizational elements–from the smallest daily tasks to the most complex company goals—for a more integrated, seamless way of working. The challenge comes in choosing the right platform. That’s where this guide comes in.

CLOUD Act: what is it, and how does it affect cybersecurity?

The conflict between privacy rights and state access to information has become a focal point of legal and ethical arguments in an era when data is important. The Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data, or CLOUD Act, a law with far-reaching repercussions for persons and organizations, is a crucial factor in this ongoing debate. This law changes the game for how data is handled across borders, impacting our privacy and cybersecurity.

The Roles and Responsibilities of a Board Administrator

As custodians of organizational order, a board administrator is typically accountable for supporting the management of board governance, policies, and procedures. They essentially provide administrative support to the board — may it be scheduling meetings or preparing board documents. In this guide, we’ll explore the duties and responsibilities of an administrator, and the skills and knowledge one should possess.

Zulip 8.0: Threaded open-source team chat

We’re excited to announce the release of Zulip Server 8.0, containing hundreds of new features and bug fixes! Zulip is an open-source team chat application designed to help people collaborate to solve any challenge. With conversations organized by topic, Zulip is ideal for both live and asynchronous communication. Fortune 500 companies, leading open-source projects, and thousands of other organizations use Zulip every day.

Boosting employee productivity: A comprehensive guide

If your organization struggles with employee productivity, you aren’t alone. Many organizations face challenges with keeping teams active and engaged. Our comprehensive guide to boosting employee productivity offers actionable tips and strategies for maximizing output — without burning out your workforce.

Wire co-founds CODE-initiative to unleash innovation through open standards

Wire, the secure messaging platform from Berlin, joins industry heavyweights like Google, Meta and Qualcomm in a new initiative aimed at unleashing innovation through open digital ecosystems. Named ‘Coalition for Open Digital Ecosystems’ (CODE), the group will work with actors from academia, policymakers and other companies with an initial focus on the implementation of the EUs ‘Digital Markets Acts’ (DMA).

Navigating the Evolution of Wire for Android: An Interview with Leen Rehawi

Earlier this year, we relaunched our Android-App on a completely new codebase and switched to a new underlying development framework to enhance stability, performance, and security for our users. Due to this step, some features had to be removed for a while – but they are all coming back.

How to Dramatically Improve Your Sales Team's Performance: 22 Tips

The premise is simple: by improving your sales team’s performance, your team will generate more sales, ultimately leading to higher profits. Therefore, make sure you take note of the following twenty-two helpful tips so that your sales team’s members can dramatically enhance how well they perform.

Get ahead by looking back: Tips for a meaningful year-end retrospective

As 2023 winds down, you might already be thinking about setting goals and resolutions for the new year. But to grow, learn, and improve, you must first take time for reflection. Think about how a ballet dancer improves their craft. There’s more to it than simply practicing in front of a mirror. They continuously reflect on their form, observe their movements, and impartially critique their work.

13 Marketing Trends and Strategies for 2024

From newspaper ads to artificial intelligence, marketing trends come and go as technology and consumer preferences change. That means marketing leaders can’t always rely on tried-and-true best practices. Instead, anticipating future trends is essential to maintain your edge and develop effective marketing strategies. 2024 is set to be more interesting—and challenging—for marketers than ever, bringing with it a wave of new technology and consumer behaviors.

To-do lists: 15 tips to make an effective to-do list

Everyone loves checking things off a to-do list—but if it’s not done right, your to-do list can cause more harm than good. In this article, we offer concrete tips to help you set your to-do’s up for success, including how to effectively capture, organize, and prioritize tasks. Read on to take your own list to the next level, so you can stop worrying about misplaced notes and start checking things off.

Pioneering digital accessibility with BITV 2.0 certification

Accessibility is of paramount importance to Rocket.Chat, as we believe that communication tools should be available to all, irrespective of their technical prowess or physical abilities. Accessibility is the cornerstone of our commitment to inclusivity, community and collaboration in regulated organizations. Rocket.Chat recently got BITV 2.0 certified, making it the first-ever collaboration platform to accomplish this feat, not just in Germany but globally.

Synapse now lives at github.com/element-hq/synapse

Hi all, As we announced in November, Element is switching to use the Affero General Public License (AGPLv3) for its future contributions to Synapse and related backend Matrix projects. The repositories will live at github.com/element-hq (newly renamed from our old outdated name of github.com/vector-im); we’re switching them over starting today, commencing with Synapse.

Transforming the work experience: Simpplr tops most use case rankings in 2023 Gartner Critical Capabilities for Intranet Packaged Solutions report

Our mission is to transform the work experience for billions of people across the world — and we’re thrilled that our top ranking in the prestigious 2023 Gartner® Critical Capabilities for Intranet Packaged Solutions report shows we’re on the right path.

6 Key advantages of business networking for professionals

In an era where who you know often proves as valuable as what you can do, effective business networking is more than a mere exchange of business cards at industry events. It's a strategic and powerful tool that can propel professionals to new heights in their careers. In fact, statistics show that around 80% of professionals find networking essential to their career success. In this article, we’ll delve into the six key benefits of networking in business for you as a professional.

How To Hire The Right DevOps Engineer For Your Team

The demand for skilled technical DevOps engineers, managers, and contractors has grown exponentially in recent years. As more organisations undertake digital transformation initiatives, the need for effective DevOps grows more crucial. However, hiring the right DevOps talent that aligns perfectly with your organisation’s processes, infrastructure, and team culture can prove challenging.

Top Cloud Security Threats and How to Prevent Them

Cloud hosting is becoming the norm due to its efficiency, accessibility, flexibility, and scalability. Not only that, but it also optimizes IT expenses and encourages collaboration. However, with the rise of digitalization comes a surge of cloud security risks. With such threats, business leaders must be attentive to the cloud security of their businesses.

Tough Conversations with CxOs: Radical Candor and Enterprise Agility at FedEx Part I | Atlassian

In this podcast episode, we hear from Ken Spangler, EVP – CIO Global Operations Technology at FedEx, where we discuss with radical candor driving a One FedEx Transformation with Enterprise Agility. Ken will share insights into how FedEx embraces enterprise agility and the value frameworks that enable it to drive innovation and adaptability within his organization.

Why this author swears Miro is the secret to writing a book

Becca Grischow can outline an entire novel in just under an hour. You might be thinking, well that’s probably because she’s had a lot of practice. That’s true. Grischow is a Chicago-based author who has worked on more than 50 written and ghostwritten books. But there’s one other factor that makes her a storyboarding whiz: Miro.

7 best Mattermost alternatives for secure business messaging

Mattermost is one of the popular collaboration platforms with advanced messaging and chat functionalities. It is an open-source platform, and its features can be customized to meet different business requirements. Yet, for many privacy-oriented and personalization-focused businesses and organizations, Mattermost has limited capabilities when it comes to scalable external communication with vendors, customers, and more.

What's New in Asana | December 2023

Welcome to the December edition of What's New in Asana. First, automate your workflows more easily by adding a condition to your rules with conditions and branching. Use branching to allow the rule to run in different scenarios with different actions. Next, use a rule to automatically set a task's title and description. Finally, add a bundle directly to a project template so that every project created from that template will also include the workflow features in the bundle.

Jira Work Management Monthly Minute: December 2023 | Atlassian

Wrap up 2023 with Jira Work Management updates in our Monthly Minute. Add approvals to your tasks, import from tools like Trello and Asana, see the new mobile experience, and more. Jira Work Management makes it easy for business teams to collaborate, align, and deliver work, all in one place.

Transforming the Flawed Nature of HR Tech with William Tincup, President & Editor-at-Large

This episode features an interview with William Tincup, President and Editor-at-Large of RecruitingDaily.com. William is a writer, speaker, consultant, and investor at the intersection of HR and technology. In this episode, Amanda sits down with William to discuss the excessive amount of tech in HR, user satisfaction versus adoption, and why the ROI of tech is flawed. To stay in touch and learn more about Simpplr, please like this video and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The Role of Instant Messaging in E-Learning: Improving Communication and Engagement

Technology is revolutionizing the way we learn. From a school management software development company to an LMS developer—everybody is integrating the newest technological solutions into their tools, making them more efficient and attractive to customers. And in the myriad of tech instruments that are available to us today, one tool stands out as a game-changer for both educators and learners—and that is instant messaging (IM).

2023 in review: A look back at the big and the small wins

It’s that time of year again to reflect on the past 12 months and see how much we’ve learned and grown. As you know, at Miro we love a good retrospective. Looking back, we know that our successes are the result of passionate Miro super-users — you all — who’ve shared what you’re looking for in a visual workspace for innovation.

8 Work Styles: Definition and Importance

In the last few years, the approach to work has changed dramatically. We don’t need to work from 9 to 5 (or at least not everyone), we don’t need cubicles as much as we did in the past, and we don’t need (want) to climb the corporate ladder. Flexible hours, open spaces, and diplomatic structures are the new way of life. However, there is one thing that hasn’t changed – the need for a good team made up of people with different work styles.

How to Promote Mindful Communication in the Workplace

Workplace communications can be fraught with difficulties. Office politics, personality clashes, and other factors can mean that communications can sometimes break down. When communication breaks down, it can have negative effects on productivity and efficiency for teams and the business as a whole. What can you do to avoid potential issues? How do you ensure that communications remain as positive as possible and that staff remain on good terms and work towards common goals?

Data reveals workers are craving fewer, yet more impactful collaboration tools

Almost half (45%) of workers want more guidance from their organisation on how to collaborate effectively with teammates. 74% of workers advocate for the use of a standard set of collaboration technologies across the organisation, suggesting the recognized pains of "app sprawl".

Why focusing on innovation benefits the whole team

Miro’s recent global innovation survey of over 1,700 leaders and 8,000 information workers revealed that innovation is necessary not only for a company’s competitive success, but also for its very survival. Eighty percent of the leaders surveyed said that innovation — defined as the development and launch of new products and/or services — is important for winning against the competition, and 82% agree that an organization that cannot innovate will fail within five years.

4 Creators' stories about the value of publishing on Miroverse

This year, Miro’s community of over 1,600 Miroverse Creators contributed 1,000+ templates, building a library of 3,000+ contributions. Miroverse contributors generously share their expertise through templates, demonstrating proven workflows, frameworks, and activities built in Miro. It’s clear that Creators’ generosity provides inspiration and helps us jump-start our work — but what’s in it for them? What value do Creators get from sharing the ways they work in Miro?

Leveraging employee experience tech to cultivate a more supportive workplace

Balancing production demands with employee well-being is no easy task — but it’s a puzzle many leaders are looking to solve. In a recent interview with Shawnee Irmen-De Anda, Chief People Officer at ThriveWorks, we discuss how human resources departments are leveraging employee experience technology and partnering with product teams to foster a more supportive, productive and inclusive workplace.

6 best chat apps for students in higher education

Students of today have been brought up in a digital-first world. Not only are they used to instant messaging and chat, but also expect it as an integral part of technology they use. By integrating solutions that enable instant communication via chat for students, universities can meet these expectations head-on.

10 strategies on how to improve employee engagement with a modern intranet

Looking to improve employee engagement at your organization? The modern intranet has you covered. In this guide, we’ll dive right into covering 10 proven strategies for how you can increase employee engagement with a modern intranet. Then we’ll break down employee engagement and why organizations should make it a priority. Finally, we’ll then look at how modern intranets, like Simpplr, are revolutionizing the way businesses interact with and motivate employees.

50+ Holiday and Vacation Quotes for Those Who Love To Travel

A vacation offers you the chance to revitalize and renew your mind and body. Vacations offer us a change of scenery, a thrill, and a means of escaping routine and fatigue. A healthy and balanced lifestyle requires vacations, just like a decent diet and regular exercise. Although some may view them as luxuries, they are important if you want to live a better and more full life. While vacations also trigger your productivity as you return with a fresh mind, Chanty does the same for you too.

Plan your 2023 remote holiday party with these templates

Think you can skip a holiday party with your distributed team? Think again. Remote workers reportedly admit that they feel less connected to their colleagues. That’s why festive get-togethers — which offer people a chance to forge deeper bonds and build camaraderie — are even more important. Your holiday celebration doesn’t need to suffer just because you’re apart.

Simpplr shines bright in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Intranet Packaged Solutions

We’re pumped! Simpplr has just been named a Leader in the prestigious 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Intranet Packaged Solutions. This is big news for the world of internal communications and employee engagement! And we couldn’t be more grateful.

Guiding AI innovation: Miro's principles and practices

At Miro, our mission is to empower teams to create the next big thing. As we navigate the evolving landscape of AI technology, we’re keenly aware of the exciting opportunities it offers, as well as the potential challenges it poses. We believe that simply harnessing AI isn’t enough; it must be wielded with both responsibility and care.

Christmas Holiday Guide for SaaS: Sales Tips, Marketing Tactics, and Best Christmas Deals

The holiday season is approaching. It’s a lovely time of the year for everyone. Cities will be decked, and people will be willing to spend more. It’s also a time of the year when software companies experience a lot of pressure. Despite the holidays being a booming sales season, it’s also a very busy time. During the festive season, businesses make the majority of their revenue.

Introducing the new Starter & Pro plans

In the last few years, we’ve seen Rocket.Chat grow from an open source messaging platform to a fully-featured, extensible, secure and compliant collaboration platform used by many of the world’s most regulated and security-conscious industries. As a Commercial Open Source Business, during this time, we have added a wide range of premium capabilities that help organizations work more efficiently, communicate with their customers effectively, and extend Rocket.Chat intelligently.

How to Communicate Professionally Through Email at the Workplace

Among the various methods of communication in the workplace, emails play a pivotal role in keeping members of your organization and teams informed on important updates. That’s why the ability to convey messages effectively through emails is a valuable skill. For one, effective workplace communication is the cornerstone for collaboration, clarity, and cohesive team dynamics.

Get to Know the Leading Service Desk Software

Providing excellent customer service is about more than responding to inquiries. Taking a holistic approach to support customers, employees, and IT allows your business to make informed decisions and develop better long-term strategies. Vision Helpdesk’s state-of-the-art leading service desk software takes help desk software one step further by providing a proactive approach to inquiries and supporting your IT needs and objectives.