Collaboration is a key element in the success of a project. In certain cases, at BeeBole for example, it is even vital; Mic and Hughes live in Belgium and I live in India.
While distance and time zone difference might seem an issue, we found that with a set of good collaboration tools, the problems were rapidly disappearing.
Time zone difference even became an advantage since we can’t talk to each others during certain period of the day, which obliges us to focus on our work instead of chatting and recreating the world constantly.
For emails, simple chat features and documents we use Google Apps. It is a free application suite and you can link it to your own domain name. There is a premium version for 50$/user/year that gives you more email storage and some other features.
While emails and chat are quite common today, we really like Google Docs. Each document created can be shared and versions are tracked. We can work simultaneously on the same document without blocking each other or having version issues.
Recently, we also adopted Google Sites (Also part of Google Apps) as internal wiki and Internet file storage. We even use it as a mini-accounting system for expenses, invoices, … but just as a way to centralize information and receipts/invoices.
For project management, we use the free version of Basecamp (from 37Signals). 37Signals provides very simple tools from project management to Customer Relationship Management (Highrise). The only issue I have today is of course the limitation of the free version and the lack of integration between their own tools. I am currently looking at Google Sites as a possible replacement.
For our meetings we use Skype. The video quality is very good (even with the lack of stability of an Indian Internet connection) and the feature is really boosting our discussions.
Since recently, we were still missing some web meeting features, such as presentation sharing or desktop sharing. It is now possible thanks to DimDim, which has proven to be really useful. The screens are still a bit buggy and the performance could certainly be improved but it is open source and there is a free version limited to 20 participants per meeting, which is quite enough for small start-ups. I definitively recommend it as an alternative to the expensive WebEx and GoToMeeting.
If you are using other tools, do not hesitate to share it with us as we are always looking for new ways to improve our collaboration.
Can you tell me who did your layout? I’ve been looking for one kind of like yours. Thank you.
The layout is based on the very simple Barecity WordPress theme (http://shaheeilyas.com/barecity/). The rest is home made.
For managing projects you might try out this web-based application:
http://www.gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts (GTD), use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A mobile version is available too.
As with the last update, now you can add or invite Contacts, and share your Projects and Contexts with them.
Hope you like it.
Interesting article. At the office, we recently starting using YouFig (www.youfig.com) and are very happy. It’s made communication a breeze and our guys are using email much less. That matters because they have access to their documents, spreadsheets, files, chat and messages from everywhere. We also use it with our clients, which they find very useful. Recommended.
Thanks for the comment on Dimdim. We’re working hard to make Dimdim even easier and more powerful. Hotmail made email free. Skype made phone calls free. With Dimdim, now the world can meet freely.
Hello Steve,
I will definitively come back to you if I have any feedback about DimDim in order to help you making it better. It is really a great solution.
Hi Yves,
If you’re interested in quality free desktop sharing and online presentations, you might like to check out Mikogo (http://www.mikogo.com).
Mikogo is a free online screen sharing tool with many great features for web conferences. Users can host free online meetings in real time and invite up to 10 participants to any meeting. Some of the great features include:
- switch presenter: let a participant share their screen
- remote keyboard and mouse control: nice feature when collaborating on or editing a team document
- application sharing: choose the apps that you wish to share, or share your entire desktop.
- Skype Extra: free calls and screen sharing together (https://extras.skype.com/1672/view)
- file transfer
- 256 bit AES end-to-end encryption
Take a look at the website when you have a moment and give it a test. It’s completely free – no hidden catches.
If you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact me.
I hope to hear from you.
Regards,
Andrew
The Mikogo Team
andrew(at)mikogo.com