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Since its launch in 2019, many companies have used teamwork assistant Navigator. Powered by artificial intelligence, Navigator helps teams work together better. The platform does this by helping teams hold more productive, meaningful meetings.
Navigator had features such as shared workspaces for meetings and agendas and note-taking functions. The ‘virtual teammate’ app also integrated with other work-related programs, like Slack, Zoom, and Google Meet.
However, Navigator recently announced that it would be shutting down. On 9th September at 5pm PT, the service will be unavailable. User data will also be permanently deleted.
Pandemic forced developers to pivot
Navigator was created before the pandemic, said the development team in a statement on their website. At the time, workplace challenges were different. For instance, video calls were not as common. Working from home, too, was not as common.
When Covid-19 hit, the developers first tried to adapt Navigator for the new normal. Eventually, they pivoted completely to a new product that targets remote teamwork, Playspace.
Aspen, the team behind both Navigator and Mailbox, will be focusing on this new product instead.
Playspace has a similar goal as Navigator: to help teams work together better. However, unlike Navigator, it was made with remote teams in mind. Specifically, Playspace provides ‘rooms’ for remote teams to hold their meetings. These virtual rooms have features like shared whiteboards, notepads, and music which enhance the collaboration experience.
The importance of meeting tools
Meeting tools like Navigator are no doubt important. Even before working from home was the norm, meetings already formed a key part of our work lives. In fact, about 55 million meetings are held every day around the world.
There is no question that meetings are important. They make every team member feel included. By ensuring that your company is collaborative, people in the company are more motivated and productive. When done well, meetings are super effective for moving any organization forward.
However, a lot of meetings remain ineffective. For instance, only one out of four meetings start and end on time. Even worse, a whopping 50 percent of meetings are thought to be unproductive.
And the pandemic has only added even more challenges. Teams now have to navigate the challenges that come with online meetings.
For instance, remote teams are more common than ever, and one big hurdle is the difference in time zones. This in itself makes it tricky to even select a time for a meeting. Also, more meetings held online now. This makes it tempting for both team leaders and members to hold and attend multiple meetings in a row, causing stress and fatigue.
This is why third-party apps geared for meetings are crucial. Meeting tools add value to all stages of a meeting. This includes prepping for meetings, ensuring that the meeting itself goes smoothly, and helping complete post-meeting tasks. By using these tools, your meetings become more efficient and productive.
An alternative meeting app - Meetric
If you are looking for an alternative to Navigator for your team meetings, why not give Meetric a try?
Meetric is specially designed to help you and your team hold productive meetings. This handy app is more than just a note-taking tool. Unlike other apps, Meetric was made with meetings in mind. It helps you prepare an agenda, capture meeting minutes, and track actionable next steps. These features help you streamline the meeting process.
The Chrome extension also integrates this useful tool with Google Calendar and Google Meet. This means you can take down notes and record tasks during your meetings without having to switch windows. It also allows you to directly add important details, such as a meeting agenda, to a Calendar event.
Even better, Meetric is completely free! In fact, Meetric can go beyond team meetings. You can also use Meetric for one-on-one calls, sales pitches, or any other event that requires note-taking.
How to use Meetric
In a nutshell, Meetric lets you capture meeting minutes, notes, and tasks in a quick and convenient manner.
The most productive meetings often start off with a strong agenda. You can easily prepare your agenda with Meetric. If you already have the Chrome extension installed, just open up the meeting event on Google Calendar. You will then be able to add more detailed notes and pointers using Meetric. All guests who are invited to the event will be able to view this agenda. This ensures that every one is on the same page and starts the meeting with the same goals.
During the meeting itself, you can record meeting minutes without switching windows. Meetric integrates neatly with the Meet interface. It appears as a sidebar so that you — and your team! — have a convenient overview of the minutes, without the video being interrupted.
Simply do this by adding notes under each pointer or discussion point. Detailed meeting minutes are essential for any meeting. Not every team member is paying attention all the time. Minutes are what remind each person of what was discussed and what needs to be done.
You can also use Meetric to assign tasks and to-dos to yourself and other team members. This feature makes it such that every one knows what they have to do after the meeting.
As Meetric was made specially for meetings, it also captures the aspect of collaboration. Notes and agendas are accessible by all meeting guests, making it easy for your team to work together in real time.
Meetric also features a meeting timer. This handy function helps you start and end punctually, so that you and your team make full use of your time.
All these features make Meetric the perfect meeting tool. With Meetric, you are ready to take your meetings to the next level.
