How do you foster collaboration in a distributed company?
By using the right tools.
It’s imperative to have good video software, such as Zoom or Google Hangouts, that allows people to communicate face-to-face when necessary.
It’s also important to use effective and simple project management software. Many teams combine multiple programs such as Slack, Basecamp, and/or Asana, when it’s often more effective to take a holistic approach of managing as much as possible from a single tool.
Using the right tools will allow everyone to be involved, not just the ones who speak up the most. After all, people who sit in the back of the room also have helpful contributions.
Make sure the tools you use are simple and effective in accomplishing the tasks they’re made to do and able to help utilize the strengths of everyone in the company.