The modern office is a cognitive limbo. We’re producing a crazy amount of data and ingesting more information than the human brain can chew. But as the adage goes “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and so is visual collaboration. In this article, we’ll show you how you can use visual devices like mind maps and kanban boards to make your remote team more creative and productive. đĄ Before…
Continue ReadingCritical thinking skills are one of the most valuable business assets of the 21st century. They help us make more informed decisions, challenge the status quo, and avoid costly thinking fallacies. But did you know they can also make your remote team excel? In today’s article, we take a deep dive into the obscure world of critical thinking. We also revisit the concept of hierarchical tree structures and how the…
Continue ReadingMind mapping software is the Swiss Army knife of creative work. It makes brainstorming, planning, note-taking, and problem-solving a breeze. In today’s article, we take you for a ride through the best mind mapping software you can get your hands on in 2023. đ§ đ¨âđť What Is Mind Mapping Software? âYou canât wait for inspiration; you have to go after it with a club.â Jack London The concept of mind…
Continue ReadingManaging big chunks of work and solving complex problems on the fly isnât exactly easy. In todayâs article, we set out to find the best AI outliner software for 2024 thatâll help you plan, organize, and get things done, one indent at a time. Hereâs the thing. The legendary Emacs Org Mode has been around since 2003. But while its utility is still top-notch, itâs not the most user-friendly outliner…
Continue ReadingWith the vaccination efforts in full swing, companies and knowledge workers around the world are now facing an important question: âGo back to the offices or stay fully remote?” And we canât but sympathize with the dilemma. Telecommuting comes with some great benefitsâflexible schedule, being your own boss, no more traffic jamsâbut itâs not the easiest thing to pull off. In fact, remote work is really hard, especially for the…
Continue ReadingNobody wants to be an asshole, right? Thatâs why in this article weâre digging into the principles of, wait for it, anti-asshole design (AAD). We also try to define âethical designâ and see how it can help teams and individuals get work done faster and smarter, with no fluff. đ¤ What Is Design Ethics & Ethical Design? âDesign is in everything we make, but itâs also between those things. Itâs…
Continue ReadingHierarchical systems are the framework for creativity. They help you make sense of the worldâs superficial chaos and create new, structured value out of it. The good news is, harnessing the power of hierarchical thinking isnât that difficult. In todayâs article, we revisit the concept of hierarchies in knowledge management. Youâre going to learn how hierarchical systems can help you process information, stay organized, make better decisions, and solve complex…
Continue ReadingNavigating a 100% remote workplace can be tricky, especially when youâre not exactly the most confident person in the world. The good news is, weâve put together five confidence-boosting tips thatâll help you tune in to virtual office vibes in a jiffy. đ¤ How Do You Define Confidence? 1. self-assurance: trust in oneâs abilities, capacities, and judgment.2. a belief that one is capable of successfully meeting the demands of a…
Continue ReadingAlthough word-processing has come a long way since WordStar days, many contemporary writersâGeorge R. R. Martin includedâstill use legacy software for a frictionless, distraction-free writing experience. If you’re looking for a minimalist creative environment but don’t feel like going (way) back in time, we have something just for you. In this mini-guide, weâll show you how you can use Taskade to conduct research, organize reading notes, outline documents, andâwait for…
Continue ReadingTerry Crews doesnât check his email before hitting the gym, but itâs a safe bet that everyone else does. Over the course of almost 50 years (!), email has become a staple in our professional lives. Now that the modern workplace pivots to remote, itâs about time we challenged the status quo: Does @mailto belong in remote workflows? đ¤ If youâre like most knowledge workers, chances are you have a…
Continue ReadingRemember the 1992 Glengarry Glen Ross scene where Alec Baldwinâs character schools the sales team on the principles of Always Be Closing (ABC)? Thatâs some A-level mentoring right there. Wouldnât it be cool if fully distributed teams could get a *similar* learning experience through remote mentoring sessions? đ¤ Whatâs Remote Mentoring? đ Mentoring: employee training system under which a senior or more experienced individual (the mentor) is assigned to act…
Continue ReadingThe recent Spotify x Joe Rogan deal made one thing clear: Spotify is going for gold of the podcasting industry. While the companyâs chain of acquisitions is part of a well-thought-out business model, the Swedish music streaming service didnât start as the most orderly bunch. Back in 2012, Spotify sported an experimental and highly volatile organizational approach that came to be known as the “Spotify model.” In today’s article, weâre…
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Visual Collaboration 101: Mind Maps, Kanban Boards, Outlines, and Org Charts 
Hereâs How to Promote Critical Thinking and Boost Remote Collaboration 
11 Best Mind Mapping Apps and Tools For Brainstorming in 2024 (Features & Pricing Reviewed) 
10 Best AI Outliner Tools to Organize Your Tasks, Notes, and Brain in 2024 
Productive At Home: Make Remote Work Work for You 
Ethical Anti-Design: The Road to No-Nonsense Productivity 
A Case For Hierarchical Thinking: Solve Complex Problems The Easy Way 
How to Build Confidence in a Remote Workplace 
Distraction-Free Writing Starts With Taskade (Updated for 2024) 
Email in Remote Workflows: A Complicated Relationship 
Onboarding and Mentoring Remote Employees 
The Sound of Remote Collaboration: Autonomous Squads