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5 Cloud Tools That Can Help with Your Next Presentation

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Visual aids are a part of any successful presentation in business today. Thanks to projectors and slideshow software, even the most complex concepts can be broken down in a way that’s easy to understand. But the cloud has made it even easier to create visually-appealing presentations that you can access from anywhere, using your laptop or mobile device. But which tools are the best? Here are some of the best cloud-friendly tools available to businesses.

Cloud has made it a lot easier to create visually-appealing presentations – all you need is the right tools:
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Cloud-Capable Projector

When it’s time to shop for a new projector, you’ll likely notice that cloud-connected projectors have hit the market in a big way. Mitsubishi is one of the early versions of these, with a line of projectors that can connect directly to the cloud–no PC or mobile device required. As these projectors continue to get more sophisticated, the need to hook up a computer or mobile device will likely disappear altogether.

SlideShare

SlideShare is an online tool that allows users to upload and share PowerPoint presentations, infographics and different types of documents. It also makes easy for individuals or organizations to organize large amounts of presentation documents and promote them online. Users can tag presentations, download or embed them into their own websites or blogs. Users can also share documents and conduct presentations privately. SlideShare lets its users to join groups to connect with SlideShare members who share similar interests. Business presentations make the most of the content. SlideShare also has a Facebook application for uploading documents.

eMaze

eMaze is a new cloud-based application that makes it easy to create fantastic presentations. Its key features include tons of cutting edge graphics, plenty of beautiful sample presentations, and collaboration tools that make easy for people to work together on an engaging presentation. It also allows people to view and edit presentations on any device: desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Prezi

This cloud-based software makes it easy for anyone to create presentations. During the presentation, presenters can zoom in on specific items to emphasize points or size and rotate items during the creation process. Using Prezi’s collaborative mode, up to ten users can log in and view a presentation in real time. Additionally, Prezi can be deployed on an iPad for one-on-one presentations.

GoToMeeting

With GoToMeeting, you can conduct presentations from your desk or home office with people located around the world. The cloud-based service is free for up to three people and meetings can be joined from a PC or mobile device. In addition to presentations, meeting participants can interact with each other via video chat and collaborate with each other.

Using these cloud-based tools, you can take your presentations to the next level. With mobile devices having freed up business professionals to work from anywhere, cloud collaboration will continue to be an increasing part of doing business.

3 Tech Tools That Can Encourage Employee Collaboration

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Mobile devices have allowed workers to remain connected from anywhere, using any device. This connectivity gives employees the ability to work from home or on the road, accessing documents while a meeting is in progress or even working on a project while hanging out in a hotel room during a business trip.

But since most projects involve multiple team members, having so many employees on the move can pose a few challenges. Remote work has taken away the ability to have a face-to-face conversation with a co-worker, resulting in misunderstanding an communication lags that can easily delay projects.

Technology has a solution for that, as well. Several communication tools are available, each of which can serve as a centralized location for all team members to upload files, post status updates, and communicate with other staff members. With so many choices, though, professionals aren’t always sure which solution is the right choice for their particular business model. Here are a few of the best collaboration systems. Whether you make the decision on your own or ask your IT support provider to help you select and set up one, each of these services has its own unique set of offerings.

  • Basecamp gives each project its own page, with a social media-style format that immediately shows team members the latest activity. Users can add to-do lists and assign tasks to specific team members, with all of this accessible from mobile devices, as well as PCs.
  • Teambox is more task-oriented, focusing on checklists on its dashboard. But the app has a communication component, as well, which also follows a social media format. Teambox will likely be a more enticing option to smaller businesses, since the app charges per user rather than per project, as Basecamp does.
  • GoToMeeting brings the board room to your mobile device, letting teams share files, interact face-to-face, and even conduct a presentation, all in real time. With GoToTraining, business can also train teams of employees on a new piece of software, all without having to set foot in an office.

3 Ways Videoconferencing Can Modernize Your Business

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Now more than ever, videoconferencing is accessible to the masses, enabling businesses of all sizes to communicate. Videoconferencing is no longer confined to large conference rooms and shared spaces. In fact, your IT support team can help set up videoconferencing solutions that allow workers to host video calls from their desks, from home, or from a mobile device while on the road.

When used to its fullest, videoconferencing can save businesses money and empower workers. As videoconferencing continues to change the face of business, adaptation will no longer be optional. A big client will ask to meet using video on GoToMeeting or WebEx and your business will be required to comply…or risk appearing outdated. Before you fall behind, here are a few ways videoconferencing can help your business today.

Impress clients

Your IT providers can set you up with a solution that not only allows face-to-face conversation, but incorporates other technologies. Share your computer screen to demonstrate how something will works, incorporate a PowerPoint presentation, and bring multiple team members in on the same call. Your grasp of technology will not only help you better convey ideas, it will also wow those clients who have not yet seen full-blown videoconferencing in action.

Save on travel

At one time, business owners and sales personnel were required to hit the road to land new clients and maintain existing accounts. Videoconferencing has allowed corporate America to meet where they are, which not only cuts down on the cost of airline tickets and hotel rooms, but it also keeps workers in the office, where they can be most productive.

Work from home

Even for business owners who are against workers telecommuting, videoconferencing opens up possibilities. Perhaps the business owner himself would occasionally like to come in late. Videoconferencing allows for easy interaction from wherever you are. Over the long-term, videoconferencing opens up possibilities, like hiring a remote worker to redesign your corporate logo or handle small administrative tasks. For offices with telecommuters, videoconferencing allows for communication throughout the day, saving costs on office space while still keeping employees in the know.

As videoconferencing becomes more popular, every business will eventually be asked to use the technology. By adapting solutions now, those businesses can remain competitive and be prepared for that big meeting with a promising new client.