Chapter10: HowtoWorkinDifferentTimezones 111 are handling my column are discussing how to present it, and how the team overseeing the home page is thinking about my work.” “I have a feeling of intimacy with co-workers on the other side of the country that is almost fun. That’s a big deal, for a job.” - Farhad Manjoo,NewYorkTimesreporter The ability to see what others are saying not only gives you insight to how others are working—something you might glean by working together—but it also enables the more fun aspects of working in a team. “What’s more, I have a feeling of intimacy with co-workers on the other side of the country that is almostfun,” Manjoosays. “That’s a big deal, for a job.” No matter how independently you can work, and how hard you try to stay connected, you won’t be in the flow of what everyone’s doing unless you have a team chat tool. “At TechCrunch and The Next Web, having a central point of contactiscritical,” says Russell. “Tools like Slack, Convo and HipChat make that possible in a way that it never really was a few years ago.” It doesn’t have to be Slack—it could be any of the other great team chat apps outthere. Just be sure it fits this description: • Easy to use, with mobile apps to stay in touch on the go • Separates discussions into groups that everyone can join • Archives all conversations so you can search through everything • Includes private chats • Integrates with the apps you use • Has fun extras like Slack’s Giphy integration that lets you lighten up the moodwithGIFs