Asked if this period had provided some insights into new tools or applications, Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, and Go to Webinar were widely cited (one reader noted that “Zoom has been a life saver...we never used it before but has helped in every aspect of business!”… though another reader commented that “Zoom is vastly overrated...”). One reader explained, “Nothing new, I’m just glad my clients are now embracing it much more!”

On the other hand, another reader noted, “I have worked remotely for 21 year and have never needed this stuff and still do not. I don’t have to see you to talk to you.”

Among the hazards of teleworking, one reader shared, “My dog ate my webcam so I need to learn how to angle the new one.”

Here’s some other insights:

Dipped my toe into the TikTok pool after a few beverages... let’s just say that was short lived. :)

Converting PowerPoint presentations to Adobe files make them much smaller files, so they can be more easily emailed.

Zoom - but I don’t know anyone who has used it so need to figure that out.

Utilizing Twitter a lot more. Our firm is trying to utilize Slack a bit more.

By accident, I found out that our conferencing software does NOT produce the best-quality recorded video -- my smartphone does!

Marco Polo is nice for leaving the equivalent of a video email.

Docusign has been a godsend during this time.

Virtual workouts with colleagues.

HouseParty.

Virtual Workouts and Hangouts. Pub quizzes included.

I’m using video conferencing for work and to stay connected with family and friends. HouseParty with family. Zoom for book club and other virtual social events. Microsoft Teams and Zoom for work.

If you are all on the same video call in the same room the echo is a problem. I will say using Teams with a group chat to just hit the video camera and everyone pops up in convenient.

Using multiple sources to message weekly to clients! feedback very positive!

We have a subscription to Join Me. It’s also great for when I need to remotely see an issue one of my assistants may be having at the office, or our server without getting a different type of software solution.

We use RingCentral and they have Zoom as their video conferencing software.

I found the button in the PDF file that makes the pages bigger which helps during virtual meetings. Also, Bluetooth, noise cancelling headphones are a must.

I discovered Join Me has a one way video conferencing ability that lets clients see me. However, I cannot see them so considering switch to their affiliated video conferencing app, Go To Webinar.

We’ve presented using Zoom or Teams to clients but have historically only used the webcast piece to present our reports. In this new environment, more people are joining individually from home or individual workstations as opposed to grouping together in a conference room or shared office. This has opened the door to use the video piece which allows us to better read body language and group dynamics.

Collaborative document sharing using apps like One Drive helps with editing work on new forms and announcements.

The Conference Call is becoming more of a meeting setting for me. A lot of folks don’t like being on camera so I’ve found a call is easily accepted vs. a Zoom meeting. Even using Zoom for friends to have their “Girls Nights Out,” with wine and fun catching up. HouseParty is also fun for friends and family to connect and play games within the app against each other. Fun times!

Created a ‘stamp’ of my signature for signing pdf docs.

Web cam Reading lamp for computer.

We have been using a group chat quite a bit—helps keep people connected and it has also been a great way for co-workers who typically could lean over the “wall” to ask a question now are using chat to share information (and keep some humor going).

Other than my family continually trying to get me to do a TikTok. There hasn’t been anything else that I found.

None—I just upgraded to Office 365 a week ago so that challenge is brand new.