As a startup, having a solid internal operations game is crucial for success. Not only will it make your team more efficient, but it will also help foster better communication and collaboration.
Before running out and BUYING/SIGNING UP for all the tech we are about to discuss it’s important for us to let you know that tech is the last thing you should think about as you are setting up your business operations. A well-thought-out tech stack should support the needs and requirements of your business operations plan.
If you don’t have a business operations plan consider reading “Biz Ops: A Business Operations Playbook for Startups” before jumping ahead to the tech.
5 TECH STACK MUST-HAVES:
- Team Communication: Video
- Team Communication: Written
- Knowledge Management
- Project Management
- Automation
TEAM COMMUNICATION:
Effective team communication is the backbone of any successful startup. Whether it’s discussing ideas, sharing updates, or collaborating on projects, having a reliable and easy-to-use communication tool in your tech stack is essential.
For video communication, Zoom is the go-to app. It’s easy to use, has a wide range of features, and is widely adopted. With Zoom, you can conduct virtual meetings, and webinars, and even host virtual events. It’s also available on multiple platforms, including desktop, mobile, and web, making it easy for your team to stay connected no matter where they are.
Learn more about the benefits of Zoom for team communication and virtual meetings.
For written communication, Slack is the way to go. It’s a great tool for team collaboration and real-time messaging. With Slack, you can create channels for different teams, projects, or topics, making it easy to stay organized and focused. The app also integrates with a wide range of other tools, including Google Drive, Trello, and Asana, which makes it easy to share files, collaborate on tasks, and more. Explore the features and integrations of Slack for real-time team collaboration.
Explore the features and integrations of Slack for real-time team collaboration.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (AKA KNOWLEDGE BASE):
Having a centralized location for storing and sharing important information is essential for any startup.
Google Drive is an excellent option for this. It’s free and easy to use, and it integrates seamlessly with other Google apps, such as Gmail and Google Calendar. With Google Drive, you can store documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more, and share them with your team with just a few clicks. Plus, the app has robust security features, so you can rest easy knowing that your data is safe. Discover the power of Google Drive for centralized knowledge management and file sharing.
Another option is Confluence by Atlassian, a powerful tool for creating and managing a knowledge base that can be used by the whole team. Confluence allows you to create, organize, and share information easily. It’s a great tool for documenting processes, creating project plans, and storing meeting notes. The app also has a built-in commenting system that makes it easy for team members to provide feedback and suggestions on documents.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
When it comes to project management, there are a few apps that stand out. ClickUp and Asana are two popular options. Both are flexible, easy to use, and provide a wide range of features for managing tasks, timelines, and team members. With ClickUp, you can create tasks, set deadlines, assign team members, and track progress, all in one place. Asana is similar, with the added benefit of allowing you to create custom workflows and templates to streamline your team’s processes.
Both apps also have mobile versions, so your team can stay on top of their tasks and deadlines even when they’re on the go. And both apps integrate with a wide range of other tools, including Slack and Google Drive, making it easy to stay organized and connected.
Before choosing the tech ensure it supports the needs and requirements of you and your team. There are pros and cons of all tech so be sure to find the right fit for you. Project management is an important one so do your research before going all in.
AUTOMATION:
Automating repetitive tasks can save your team a lot of time and energy. Zapier is a great tool for this, it allows you to create “zaps” that can automate tasks between different apps. It can be used to automate a wide range of tasks, from sending notifications to creating tasks in project management apps.
For example, you can set up a zap that automatically creates a task in ClickUp when a new email is received in a specific inbox. This way, your team can focus on more important tasks, rather than wasting time on menial tasks.
Another great feature of Zapier is its ability to integrate with a wide range of apps, including the ones we have discussed in this blog post. This means you can automate tasks across different apps, making it even more powerful.
THE TECH COMES LAST:
It’s important to remember that not all apps will be perfect for your team, so it’s always a good idea to research a few different options and see which ones work best for your specific needs. Before you jump to the tech you should have a strong business operations strategy. With this, you can pick the tech that will best align with the needs of your business. So when it comes to Organismic Operations leave the tech out of it until you know exactly what you need to hit the G-spot in your internal business operations.
Looking for more tech stack insights? Whip your business into shape with our other must-read tech stack blog posts:
“The Top 5 Tech Stack Must-Haves: Client Facing Operations for Startups”
AND
“The Top 5 Tech Stack Must-Haves: Marketing Operations for Startups”
If you need help to get your startup’s internal operations more orgasmic sign up for our Operations Assessment and find out where you can improve and how to optimize your business’s efficiency.
