How to Use Google Workspace for Remote Team Success

In the current era of remote work, online collaboration tools are vital to teams. As members operate in different time zones from various parts of the world, connecting on one platform often seems impossible. 

Google Workspace–formerly known as G Suite–improves team efficiency by providing a collection of communication and productivity apps accessible right from Gmail. This piece explores how to use Google Workspace and its many benefits for remote teams. 

The Shift to Remote Work

As the global COVID-19 pandemic shook the world, so did the shift to remote work. Teams were no longer meeting in person. Although asynchronous communication was already a common practice, the use of video conferences skyrocketed, allowing workers to meet safely online. Thus, a newfound love for working from home started to develop as employers adopted more remote work practices over the last few years. 

Employees enjoy the flexibility and simplicity working from home offers. And this practice shows no signs of decreasing any time soon. A recent Global survey from Google Workspace revealed that 75% of respondents believe that hybrid or flexible work options will be standard practices for their organizations in the coming three years. However, during this transition, the issue of employee well-being has also become increasingly important. In the same survey, when asked about hybrid work conditions and individual well-being, 

• 57% of respondents felt disconnected from their company and team members 
• 62% said that limited networking opportunities negatively impacted their career growth 
• 54% felt limited social interactions with team members negatively impacted their mental health 

Such negative implications of remote work suggest that teams need to change so they can operate more successfully. Online collaboration tools give teams opportunities to work together via one platform and unify the efforts necessary for success. 

How Google Workspace Can Help

Google Workspace invites teams to work together using an array of productivity apps to prevent the discouraging emotions of working in solitude. Not all emotions resulting from remote work are negative, however, as 76%  of workers claim working from home is their new preference. Furthermore, should their employer require staff to return to the office in the future, they also stated they would seek employment elsewhere. Given the increasing popularity of remote work, teams must utilize a sustainable platform with enough flexibility to accommodate various time zones and geographic locations to ensure success. 

Google Workspace is a cloud-based platform that encourages collaboration from anywhere in the world, on any device. Since its initial launch in 2006, Google Workspace has revolutionized the workforce. Its ongoing expansion and flexibility of use make this platform a promising resource for remote teams. 

Google Workspace has expanded its developments even further as a result of the ongoing pandemic. While many software developers were working from home, they discovered that they needed more collaborative features. As a result, new productivity tools were developed as the existing ones were enhanced. Together, these changes produced an all-in-one platform tailored for use by remote teams. 

How to Use Google Workspace: Best Tools for Remote Teams

If your company operates remotely, you may be wondering how to use Google Workspace to your advantage. Whether you are looking for an email platform or a secure location for document sharing, Google Workspace has the tools your team needs to succeed. 

The starter edition of Google Workspace for businesses comes with no sign-up costs. Once an account is created, team members can be invited to start using these collaborative tools together. 

1. Gmail

Accessible from a desktop or mobile device, Gmail offers a secure platform to receive or send company emails. Many of the Google Workspace functionalities are accessible from Gmail so teams can schedule meetings and organize video calls from the same interface. 

2. Google Groups

Create a Google Group [Link: Group Email vs Shared Mailbox: Which Is Best For Your Team] to centralize team communications using a shared address that sends emails to all of the members of that group. Google Workspace content—such as Google Calendar, docs, and files, can be shared with every user invited to the group. 

3. Google Calendar 

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Coordinate meetings more easily with Google Calendar. Teams can set time zones and share schedules with other members to see real-time availability. 

4. Google Meet 

Teams from anywhere in the world can hold virtual meetings and remote events to stay connected. Meetings can be scheduled right from Google Calendar. 

5. Google Chat 

Instant communication is a challenge for teams working miles apart from one another. To facilitate quicker responses, team members can hold discussions in Google Chat regarding project ideas or client discussions. Google Chat also presents networking opportunities. Conversations can be organized into different spaces, so teams can discuss multiple subjects at the same time. 

6. Google Docs

Remote teams can edit documents together in real-time using Google Docs. Instead of waiting for feedback, you can implement edits within the same document for easier collaboration. To collaborate, team members use a hyperlink that invites other users to share document access.

7. Google Sheets 

Google Sheets offers functions similar to Excel, but with options to share spreadsheets amongst team members. Teams can track, update, and collaborate on tasks using a shared task management sheet.

8. Google Drive 

With coordination conducted solely online, secure, reliable document sharing has become extremely important for remote teams. Google Drive allows teams to share files securely and instantly. Keep separate docs, sheets, and slides organized in folders so all team members have access to important documents and presentations. 

If a file looks suspicious, Google Drive can scan and remove anything it detects with spam, phishing, ransomware, or malware. Google Drive is also cloud-native, which eliminates the concern of local files that may pose security risks to company devices. 

These are only a few of the many features Google Workspace offers so remote teams can build a collaborative and productive workflow. 

When researching how to use Google Workspace, you’ll find a simple platform with easy navigation, and a standard set of programs that do not require multiple logins or switching back and forth between applications. 

Google Workspace + Gmelius Integration: A Truly Collaborative Platform for Remote Teams 

To extend the value of Google Workspace even further, integrations can offer even more collaboration opportunities across platforms. Gmelius is a communication and collaboration tool for Gmail that integrates with Google Workspace and other productivity tools to improve workflow. 

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With Gmelius, remote teams can turn Google Workspace into a collaborative inbox to control emails, improve communication, and effectively distribute workloads, no matter where team members are located. 

Rather than adjusting teams to new platforms, Gmelius seamlessly integrates with Google Workspace features like Google Calendar and Google Meet. If your team already operates using a Google Group, Gmelius can help convert a Google Group into a shared inbox or create a shared inbox from an existing Google Group. 

Combining Google Workspace with Gmelius provides remote workers a truly collaborative work experience. It also helps strengthen social connections among teams to support mental health and promote success for companies and individuals alike.  

When researching how to use Google Workspace, Gmelius can help you get started. Check out our features and integrations and learn how Gmelius is built to improve team communication and collaboration. Ready to get started? Sign up today!