Navigating Remote Work: Best Practices for Admin Support Teams

Navigating Remote Work: Best Practices for Admin Support Teams

Mar 14, 2025 | Administration, Tips, Useful Info.

In today’s fast-paced world, remote work has become more than just a trend; it’s a new way of life. For admin support teams, mastering the art of remote collaboration is essential to keeping the wheels of any organization turning smoothly. Whether you’re coordinating schedules, managing projects, or supporting executives, the right tools and practices can make all the difference. Let’s explore how your team can navigate this landscape effectively, ensuring productivity, morale, and a healthy work-life balance.

Tools that Enhance Collaboration and Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of remote work, and leveraging the right tools can elevate your team’s performance. Slack and Microsoft Teams stand out as champions of real-time communication. They allow teams to chat, share files, and collaborate seamlessly, breaking down barriers that distance might create. With channels dedicated to specific projects or topics, you can keep conversations organized and accessible.

For project management, consider Asana and ClickUp. These platforms provide a visual approach to tracking tasks and deadlines. By utilizing boards and timelines, your team can gain clarity on project progress and responsibilities. Plus, with integrations into Slack and Microsoft Teams, you can receive updates and notifications without losing focus on your work.

When it comes to face-to-face interaction, Zoom and Google Meet are your go-to solutions. Video calls foster connection and engagement, allowing for productive discussions that emails simply can’t achieve. Regular check-ins and team meetings via these platforms can help ensure everyone stays aligned and feels part of the team, regardless of their physical location.

Setting Boundaries to Avoid Burnout

While remote work offers flexibility, it also blurs the lines between personal and professional life. Setting boundaries is crucial to avoid burnout. Encourage your team to establish specific work hours and stick to them. Use tools like Slack’s “Do Not Disturb” feature to signal when you’re offline, ensuring that your team knows when to respect your personal time.

Promote the importance of breaks and encourage team members to step away from their screens. Simple practices like a midday walk or a dedicated lunch break can rejuvenate energy levels and enhance focus. By prioritizing mental health, you foster a culture that values well-being as much as productivity.

Tips for Maintaining Team Morale and Productivity

Keeping morale high in a remote environment can be challenging, but it’s achievable with intentional effort. Regular virtual team-building activities can work wonders. Consider a fun Friday game hour over Zoom or sharing “wins of the week” in your Slack channel to celebrate successes, big and small.

Offering professional development opportunities can also boost motivation. Encourage team members to take online courses or attend webinars relevant to their roles. Tools like Asana can help track these goals, making it easier for everyone to stay accountable and inspired.

Lastly, maintain open lines of communication. Regular feedback sessions can help team members feel heard and valued. Whether through one-on-ones on Google Meet or group discussions on Microsoft Teams, fostering a culture of support and recognition is key to sustaining productivity and morale.

Local Networking Opportunities for Remote Workers

Even as we embrace remote work, the importance of networking should not be overlooked. Local networking opportunities can help remote workers feel more connected to their communities and industries. Encourage your team to explore local meetups, workshops, or professional groups that align with their interests and roles.

Platforms like Meetup.com and LinkedIn Events can be excellent resources for finding relevant gatherings. Participating in these events can lead to valuable connections, fresh ideas, and a sense of belonging that can sometimes be missing in a remote work environment.

Embrace the Future of Work

Navigating remote work doesn’t have to be daunting. By utilizing powerful tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Asana, ClickUp, Zoom, and Google Meet, your admin support team can enhance collaboration, set healthy boundaries, maintain morale, and engage with local networks.

The future of work is here, and it’s all about adaptability and connection. Ready to take your remote work strategy to the next level? Let’s work together to create a thriving remote environment for your team. Contact us today to discover how we can support your journey towards remote work excellence.

Your team deserves the best in collaboration and productivity—let’s make it happen!

Get in Touch!
Boost Your Productivity: Top Time Management Tools for Admins

Boost Your Productivity: Top Time Management Tools for Admins

Mar 8, 2025 | Administration, Tips, Useful Info.

In today’s fast-paced world, busy admin professionals like you are constantly juggling multiple tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are powerful time management tools designed to help you regain control and maximize your efficiency. Let’s explore some top-rated apps and strategies that can transform your workday.

Discover the Best Time Management Apps

  1. ClickUp: This all-in-one productivity platform is a game changer for admin professionals. With customizable dashboards, task lists, and project management features, ClickUp allows you to visualize your workload and prioritize effectively. Its versatility means you can tailor it to your specific needs, whether you’re tracking projects or managing team communication. Plus, the integration with other tools ensures seamless workflow management.
  2. TickTick: For those who thrive on simplicity, TickTick provides a user-friendly interface with powerful capabilities. Task prioritization is a breeze with its built-in features for setting deadlines, reminders, and recurring tasks. The Pomodoro timer integrates perfectly, helping you focus on tasks without distractions. Imagine checking off each task as you conquer your to-do list—TickTick makes it possible!
  3. Trello: If you prefer a visual approach, Trello’s board and card system will resonate with you. This tool is perfect for organizing projects and collaborating with your team. You can easily drag and drop tasks, assign responsibilities, and track progress in real-time. Trello’s flexibility allows you to create workflows that suit your style, making project management feel less daunting.
  4. Asana: Asana shines when it comes to team collaboration and project tracking. With features like task dependencies, timelines, and workload management, you can ensure everyone is on the same page. Asana’s intuitive interface helps you break down large projects into manageable steps, allowing you to maintain clarity and focus.

Prioritizing Tasks Effectively

In addition to using these tools, mastering the art of prioritization is essential. One effective strategy is the Eisenhower Matrix, where you categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. By focusing on what truly matters, you can reduce stress and enhance productivity.

Another popular technique is the Pomodoro Technique. This time management method involves working in focused bursts (typically 25 minutes), followed by short breaks. A local case study showed that admin professionals who adopted the Pomodoro Technique using TickTick reported a 30% increase in productivity. They felt more accomplished at the end of the day, with a clear delineation between work and rest, ultimately leading to a healthier work-life balance.

Balancing Remote Work and Personal Life

As remote work becomes increasingly common, striking a balance between professional and personal life can be challenging. Time management tools can help you establish boundaries and create a structured schedule. Use your chosen app to set defined work hours, allocate time for personal activities, and stick to your commitments. This intentional approach allows you to be present at work while also enjoying your personal time.

Take Action Today!

The right time management tools can empower you to take control of your day, reduce overwhelm, and boost your productivity. Whether you choose ClickUp, TickTick, Trello, or Asana, each platform offers unique features tailored to your needs as an admin professional.

Don’t let chaos dictate your work life any longer. Discover the benefits of these time management tools and implement effective prioritization strategies today. Click the links to explore each app further and find the perfect fit for your workflow.

Start your journey to improved productivity now—because you deserve to thrive, not just survive!

Using Google contacts as your CRM

Using Google contacts as your CRM

Sep 27, 2022 | Administration, Tips, Useful Info.

Are you looking for a simple way to keep track of your contacts but have it at your fingertips? If you are a GSuite / Gmail user then you would know about the little google contacts button on the right hand side from within your emails. If you click on this while your email is open then it will ask you if you would like to add to google contacts. Once added you can then go in and edit the details and even assign tags.

Personally I have mine set up with the tags ‘current clients’, ‘ clients’, and ‘leads’. This helps make it quick and easy to access the details without searching. The best part about using google contacts is that you can access this from your phone, it’s apart of your GSuite package and if you decide you would like to do a mailout it’s easy enough to download a CSV copy of your contacts list that you would like.

Say goodbye to double handling your client contact details!

Automate your workflows with Zapier

Automate your workflows with Zapier

Apr 19, 2022 | Administration, Tips

Have you reached a point that you know you need to automate some processes to save yourself time? I bet you’ve heard of Zapier or maybe not. Zapier is a program that uses triggers and actions to streamline your daily activities. For instance I’ve just set up a zap yesterday so any jobs that come to my email (Gmail) and that I apply a certain tag to (New Jobs) will automatically add a new task in my project management software TickTick, this stops double handling and because I am always in my PM software I have the info at my fingertips.

Zapier does do a free plan which includes 100 tasks per month and you can set up 5 single zaps on this plan. For the beginner this is a great starting point as you can automate quite a lot with just the 5 zaps. Zapier has many intergrations for popular programs such as Gmail, Google Calender, Outlook, Zoom, Asana, Trello, TickTick, Toggl and so much more.

If you find that the free plan just isn’t enough the Starter plan gives you an extra 650 tasks per month and 3 premium apps.

Make sure to check them out especially if you are leaning more towards automating your business and saving time.

Pricing Guide: Zapier

Does networking really help your business?

Does networking really help your business?

Mar 29, 2019 | Tips

YES IT DOES!

I’ve been asked the question many times, why network? What’s in it for me? Networking for me is such a vital part in growing my business. Networking is a great way to build your brand and allow people to know you personally and not the online version. As a Virtual Assistant you may think the only way I find my clients is online through social media and online avenues, that is not the case.

Yes the majority of my work is performed online however I run my business like any other business would and that is by networking and word of mouth. Word of mouth is such a powerful tool and the best form of marketing that your business could have.

There are a few different networking groups around to suit your lifestyle for instance BNI which is actually quite large worldwide. I attended a couple of events as a guest however it wasn’t for me as you have to provide a certain level of commitment which can be hard when you are a working mother. However for alot of business owners this group can result in regular referrals.

Meetup is another great tool that can be used to find networking groups near you. You can jump on their app and join in on some free business networking.

Get in contact with your local chamber of commerce chances are they have an association that run regular networking events allowing you to connect with other local businesses. For me this has been my go to, between sundowners and coffee catch ups there is always an opportunity to not only get out of the house but to also network. You have to realise that not every one is on social media and it is up to your to be the voice of your business.

My top tips for networking

  1. Schedule some time out in your calendar in advance and attend atleast 2 networking events per month.
  2. Break it up between a morning and evening networking event. Both events will hold a different demographic giving you more opportunities to connect with your target audience.
  3. Don’t go in to sell! Networking is about educating and connecting not selling.
  4. Reach out to those you had conversations with, send them a quick email or an invitation on LinkedIn. They may not need your services now but they may in the future or they may know someone that does.

Above all make it a habit to include networking in the day to day running of your business you’d be surprised at much it will actually help.

Hi I’m Tammy the owner of TLB Admin Support and Online Biz Connect. With years of experience in administration I help business owners grow and build their business by focusing on what’s important.