For all the new apps and AI tools flooding the market, some platforms remain irreplaceable. Whether it’s building pitch decks, managing data, or collaborating in real time, the backbone of productivity is still Office 365, Google Workspace, and Notion.
Microsoft Office 365: The Corporate Standard
Even in 2025, Office is everywhere.
- Word – Proposals, contracts, and polished client docs.
- Excel – Data analysis, reporting, financial models.
- PowerPoint – Pitches, decks, and presentations that sell.
- Outlook – The inbox most businesses still live in.
It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable—and reliability is underrated.
Google Workspace: Collaboration at Speed
When speed and teamwork matter, Google Workspace is the go-to.
- Docs & Sheets – Real-time collaboration without version chaos.
- Drive – Centralized storage and sharing.
- Meet – Simple, integrated video calls.
- Gmail – Still one of the best email platforms for business.
For distributed teams and agencies, Google Workspace is the glue.
Notion: The Modern Knowledge Hub
Notion fills the gap between docs, tasks, and knowledge bases.
- Company wikis – SOPs, onboarding, and playbooks.
- Task boards – Kanban or timeline workflows.
- AI integration – Summaries, brainstorming, and content drafts inside the workspace.
It’s the tool that makes information actually usable instead of buried in files.
How I Use Office Tools in Real Workflows
- Office 365 for formal deliverables and data-heavy projects.
- Google Workspace for collaboration across teams and clients.
- Notion for knowledge management, SOPs, and creative planning.
New platforms come and go, but these tools remain essential. They’re the foundation that modern productivity stacks are built on.