Alternatives to Google Calendar for Team Scheduling

Tired of the endless email chains trying to nail down a meeting time that works for everyone? You’re not alone. While Google Calendar is a fantastic personal and basic team calendar, when it comes to complex team scheduling, especially scenarios requiring group consensus, many teams find themselves looking for alternatives to google calendar for team scheduling with polls. This isn’t just about finding a date; it’s about streamlining a process that can quickly become a productivity black hole.

The good news? A plethora of specialized tools have emerged, designed specifically to tackle the unique challenges of coordinating multiple people. These platforms go beyond simple event creation, offering robust features like integrated polling, automated reminders, and seamless calendar syncing to make finding that perfect meeting time a breeze, not a burden. If your team is ready to ditch the scheduling headaches, you’ve come to the right place to explore better options.

Finding the Perfect Scheduling Solution

In today’s fast-paced work environment, efficient scheduling is non-negotiable. For teams, this means moving beyond the limitations of basic calendar functionalities that often fall short when coordinating multiple schedules, preferences, and time zones. Basic calendars are great for individuals, but team dynamics introduce a whole new layer of complexity. You need more than just a shared view; you need interactive tools.

Think about the traditional scheduling dance. It usually involves a flurry of emails: “Does Tuesday at 2 PM work?” followed by a series of “No, how about Wednesday at 10 AM?” replies. This back-and-forth, often spanning days, isn’t just annoying; it’s a significant drain on time and energy. Multiply this by several meetings a week, and you’re looking at a substantial loss of Productivity. Projects stall, decisions get delayed, and frustration mounts. It’s like trying to assemble a jigsaw puzzle where everyone has a piece, but you can only talk to one person at a time. Not very efficient, is it?

This is precisely why dedicated team scheduling tools, particularly those with advanced features like polling, have gained such prominence. They’re built from the ground up to address these pain points. Instead of a linear, one-by-one confirmation process, these tools allow for parallel input, instant feedback, and automated coordination. They transform scheduling from a tedious chore into a streamlined, almost effortless task, allowing teams to focus on what truly matters: their actual work. The shift towards such specialized Calendar & Scheduling Software is a clear indicator of the evolving needs of modern teams.

Beyond Google: What to Look For in Team Scheduling Alternatives

When you start exploring alternatives to google calendar for team scheduling with polls, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. But not all scheduling tools are created equal, especially when your primary need is efficient team coordination with polling capabilities. Understanding the key features that make a difference is crucial. Let’s break down what you should be looking for to ensure you pick a winner for your team.

Key features for effective team scheduling

A robust team scheduling tool should offer a suite of features designed to simplify complexity. Here’s a rundown of the essentials:

• Polling and voting features: This is non-negotiable for the keyword focus. Look for flexibility in creating polls (suggesting times, letting others suggest times), anonymous voting options, and clear display of results. Can it handle preferred vs. available options? Can it automatically pick the best time once a quorum is reached?
• Integration capabilities: The tool should play nice with your existing ecosystem. Essential integrations include email platforms (Gmail, Outlook), video conferencing services (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams), and potentially your CRM or project management software. Smooth integrations prevent data silos and manual work.
• Calendar syncing: Real-time, two-way syncing with popular calendars like Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, and Apple Calendar is a must. This prevents double bookings and ensures everyone’s availability is accurately reflected.
• Availability sharing and conflict detection: Team members should be able to easily share their general availability or connect their calendars for automatic conflict checking. The tool should clearly highlight clashes and suggest alternative slots.
• Time zone management: For distributed teams, this is critical. The tool must automatically detect and display times in each participant’s local time zone, eliminating confusion and missed meetings.
• Mobile accessibility: Scheduling doesn’t just happen at a desk. A responsive mobile web interface or dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android are vital for on-the-go coordination.
• Pricing models: Understand the cost structure. Is it free with limitations? Does it offer a freemium model? Is it priced per user, per month, or a flat fee? Consider what fits your team’s budget and size. Some tools offer lifetime deals, which can be found on platforms specializing in Top productivity software.
• User interface (UI) and ease of use: A cluttered or confusing interface will hinder adoption. The tool should be intuitive, easy to navigate, and require minimal training for team members. A clean design often translates to quicker scheduling.
• Security and privacy considerations: You’re sharing calendar data, which can be sensitive. Ensure the platform has robust security measures, complies with data privacy regulations (like GDPR), and clearly outlines its data usage policies.

How specific features address team collaboration pain points

These features aren’t just bells and whistles; they directly solve common team headaches. For instance, polling directly tackles the “email ping-pong” for finding suitable times. Instead of ten emails, you send one poll link. Done. Integrations with video conferencing tools mean a meeting link is automatically generated and included in the calendar invite, saving an extra step and potential errors. Automatic time zone conversion? That’s a lifesaver for global teams, preventing those awkward “Oh, I thought it was my 2 PM!” moments.

Consider the impact of conflict detection. It proactively prevents the frustrating scenario where a meeting is set, only to discover later that a key stakeholder is unavailable. This foresight saves immense re-scheduling effort. Mobile accessibility ensures that even team members who are frequently away from their desks can participate in scheduling, keeping processes moving. Think of these features as your automated scheduling assistants, working tirelessly in the background.

Here’s a conceptual look at how different polling-related functionalities might be categorized when evaluating tools:

Ultimately, the right set of features transforms scheduling from a reactive, manual process into a proactive, automated one, significantly boosting team efficiency and reducing friction in Collaboration tools and workflows.

Top Alternatives to Google Calendar for Team Scheduling with Polls

Now that you know what to look for, let’s dive into some of the leading platforms that offer robust team scheduling with polling features, going far beyond what a standard Google Calendar can do for group coordination. We’ve selected a mix of popular and effective tools that cater to various team sizes and needs.

1. Doodle

Brief Overview: Doodle is arguably one of the most well-known names in scheduling, particularly famous for its polling feature. It simplifies finding a suitable date and time for a group of people to meet.

Key Polling Features: Doodle’s core strength lies in its group polls. You can propose several date and time options, and invitees mark their availability. It clearly shows which slots work best for the majority. Features include setting deadlines for responses, limiting participant choices, and even “if need be” options for flexibility. Imagine seeing a grid where everyone’s ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ and ‘if need be’ votes are neatly laid out, instantly highlighting the optimal meeting time.

Other Standout Team Features: Beyond basic polls, Doodle offers 1:1 scheduling, booking pages for individuals to share their availability, and integrations with major calendar services (Google, Outlook, etc.). Paid plans add features like custom branding, reminders, and integration with tools like Zoom and Slack.

Pros:

• Extremely easy to use for creating and participating in polls.
• Widely recognized, so many users are already familiar with it.
• Good free version for basic polling.
• Effective for large groups.

Cons:

• Free version has ads and lacks some advanced features.
• Interface can feel a bit dated compared to newer competitors.
• More advanced team management features are locked behind higher-tier paid plans.

Pricing Summary: Free plan with basic polling. Paid plans (Pro, Team, Enterprise) start around $6.95/user/month, adding more advanced features, integrations, and admin controls.

Ideal Use Case: Teams of any size needing a quick and straightforward way to find consensus on meeting times, especially for external participants or one-off group events. A marketing team, for example, might use Doodle to coordinate a brainstorming session with members from different departments.

2. Calendly

Brief Overview: Calendly is a powerful scheduling automation platform known for its ease of use in sharing availability and allowing others to book time directly into your calendar. While initially focused on 1:1 scheduling, it has expanded its team capabilities significantly.

Key Polling Features: Calendly introduced “Meeting Polls” to address group scheduling needs. Organizers can offer a selection of times, and invitees vote on their preferred options. It then helps identify the most popular time. It also offers “Managed Events” where multiple team members can be pooled for availability, like for sales demos or support calls. Think of creating a poll where invitees see available slots directly from your team’s collective calendar, updated in real-time.

Other Standout Team Features: Round-robin scheduling (distributing meetings among team members), collective scheduling (finding time when multiple team members are free), centralized billing, team reporting, and robust integrations with CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot), video conferencing (Zoom, GoToMeeting, Teams), and payment platforms (Stripe, PayPal).

Pros:

• Excellent user experience and modern interface.
• Powerful automation and workflow capabilities.
• Strong integration ecosystem.
• Good for both internal team scheduling and client-facing bookings.

Cons:

• Polling feature is newer and perhaps not as mature as Doodle’s dedicated polling.
• Many advanced team features require higher-priced plans.
• Can be overkill if you only need simple polling.

Pricing Summary: Basic free plan (limited features). Paid plans (Essentials, Professional, Teams) start from $8/seat/month, unlocking more event types, integrations, and team functionalities.

Ideal Use Case: Sales, customer success, and service teams that need to schedule meetings with external clients efficiently, as well as internal teams looking for sophisticated scheduling automation and polling. A sales team could use Calendly’s round-robin and polling to efficiently schedule demos based on prospect availability and sales rep capacity.

3. When2meet

Brief Overview: When2meet is a no-frills, free tool designed for one specific purpose: finding a common available time for a group. It’s incredibly simple and fast to use, though it lacks the polish and advanced features of other platforms.

Key Polling Features: Its entire functionality is a poll. You create an event, select potential dates on a calendar grid, and share a link. Participants then click and drag on the grid to indicate their availability. The interface then overlays all responses, visually highlighting the times with the most overlap. Picture a simple grid where green shading intensifies on dates and times where more people are available – dead simple, surprisingly effective.

Other Standout Team Features: There aren’t many “other” features. It’s laser-focused on availability polling. It does allow for password-protection of event pages for a modicum of privacy.

Pros:

• Completely free.
• Extremely simple and fast to set up and use.
• No account creation required for organizers or participants.
• Excellent for quick, informal group scheduling.

Cons:

• Very basic interface and design.
• No calendar integrations.
• No automated reminders or advanced features.
• Lacks security features beyond a simple event password.

Pricing Summary: Free.

Ideal Use Case: Small teams, student groups, volunteer organizations, or anyone needing a quick, free, and straightforward way to find a common meeting time without any bells and whistles. A student project group could use When2meet to quickly find a time for a study session.

4. Microsoft Bookings

Brief Overview: Part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Microsoft Bookings is designed for businesses to allow customers to book appointments with their staff. It also has strong internal team scheduling applications, especially if your organization is already invested in Microsoft tools.

Key Polling Features: While Bookings doesn’t have a direct “poll” feature in the style of Doodle, its group scheduling capabilities can serve a similar purpose. You can set up services that require multiple staff members, and Bookings will only show times when all required personnel are available. For finding consensus among a team for an internal meeting, you’d typically leverage Outlook’s Scheduling Assistant or FindTime (an Outlook add-in that does offer polling). However, Bookings excels at managing shared resources and staff availability for bookable services. Consider setting up a “Team Strategy Session” service that requires specific managers; Bookings shows clients (or internal requesters) only times when all those managers are free.

Other Standout Team Features: Centralized booking pages, customizable services and staff assignments, automated email confirmations and reminders, integration with Microsoft Teams for virtual appointments, and shared team calendars. It syncs seamlessly with Outlook calendars.

Pros:

• Excellent integration within the Microsoft 365 suite (Outlook, Teams).
• Good for managing appointments for service-based businesses.
• Robust staff and resource management.
• Included with many Microsoft 365 business subscriptions.

Cons:

• Lacks a direct, simple polling feature for ad-hoc internal meetings (FindTime add-in fills this gap but is separate).
• Can be complex to set up initially.
• Best suited for organizations already using Microsoft 365.

Pricing Summary: Included with Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Business Premium, and higher subscriptions. Standalone options may vary.

Ideal Use Case: Businesses that offer appointments (salons, consultants, clinics) or internal teams heavily reliant on the Microsoft ecosystem that need to manage shared resource availability or schedule multi-staff events. An IT support team could use Bookings to manage appointments for specialized assistance requiring specific technicians.

5. SavvyCal

Brief Overview: SavvyCal positions itself as a more user-friendly and collaborative alternative to tools like Calendly. It focuses on making the scheduling experience better for both the sender and the recipient of meeting invites.

Key Polling Features: SavvyCal offers “Meeting Polls” where you can propose multiple times, and recipients vote on their preferences. What sets it apart is its unique feature allowing recipients to overlay their own calendars directly onto the poll page to easily see conflicts and available slots without switching tabs. Imagine recipients viewing your proposed times and instantly seeing how those slots align with their own calendar, right there on the polling page. This is a game-changer for convenience.

Other Standout Team Features: Personalized scheduling links, ability to set limits on meetings per day/week, ranking preferred times (not just available/unavailable), team scheduling links (round-robin or collective), and strong calendar integrations. It also allows for multiple durations for a single meeting link.

Pros:

• Recipient-friendly design, especially the calendar overlay feature.
• Clean, modern interface.
• Good balance of individual and team scheduling features.
• Allows users to rank preferred times in polls.

Cons:

• Newer to the market compared to some established players.
• No free plan (only a free trial).
• Pricing can be a bit higher than some basic tools.

Pricing Summary: Starts at $12/user/month for the Basic plan. Team plan is $20/user/month with additional features.

Ideal Use Case: Teams and individuals who prioritize a highly considerate and efficient scheduling experience for their recipients, especially when coordinating with busy external stakeholders. A consulting firm could use SavvyCal to make it incredibly easy for clients to pick the best time from a poll, minimizing back-and-forth.

6. Koalendar

Brief Overview: Koalendar is a straightforward and affordable scheduling tool that aims to provide essential booking page functionalities with a clean interface. It integrates well with Google Calendar and is known for its simplicity.

Key Polling Features: Koalendar’s approach to group scheduling and “polling” is more about setting up group event types where multiple people can book the same slot (e.g., a webinar or workshop). For finding a consensus time among a team for a private meeting, it relies more on sharing individual booking pages or using Google Calendar’s “Find a time” feature if all users are on Google. However, its “Collective Events” feature allows you to create a booking page that only shows times when all selected team members are available. While not a traditional poll, you can propose times by creating a temporary collective event and sharing its link for the team to see common availability.

Other Standout Team Features: Unlimited booking pages, Google Calendar and Zoom integration, customizable booking forms, automated reminders, and team member management on paid plans. It’s designed to be lean and effective.

Pros:

• Very affordable, with a generous free plan.
• Simple, clean, and easy-to-use interface.
• Good Google Calendar integration.
• Quick setup.

Cons:

• Lacks a dedicated, robust polling feature like Doodle or SavvyCal for finding consensus on multiple proposed times.
• Fewer advanced integrations and customization options compared to premium tools.
• Team features are primarily on the paid plan.

Pricing Summary: Free plan with core features. Paid “Pro” plan is around $6.99/month, unlocking team features, multiple calendar syncs, and more customizations.

Ideal Use Case: Individuals and small teams looking for a simple, affordable way to manage bookings and share availability, particularly if they are heavily invested in the Google ecosystem. A small coaching business could use Koalendar for clients to book sessions or for a small internal team to coordinate based on collective availability for client handovers.

Comparing the Best: Which Tool is Right for Your Team?

Choosing the right scheduling tool from the many alternatives to google calendar for team scheduling with polls depends heavily on your team’s specific needs, size, workflow, and budget. What works wonders for a small, agile startup might not be the best fit for a large enterprise. Let’s put our top contenders side-by-side to help you make an informed decision.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a table highlighting key aspects of the tools we reviewed:

Factors to Consider Based on Team Size, Industry, and Specific Needs

• Team Size: Small teams might find When2meet or Koalendar’s free/low-cost plans sufficient. Larger teams or those with complex needs will benefit from Calendly, Doodle’s paid tiers, SavvyCal, or Microsoft Bookings (if in the ecosystem).
• Industry: Sales and customer-facing teams often gravitate towards Calendly or SavvyCal for their professional appearance and CRM integrations. Service-based businesses might prefer Microsoft Bookings or Calendly. Internal IT or HR might find Doodle or enterprise solutions effective.
• Specific Needs:
  • Heavy Polling Focus: Doodle or SavvyCal are strong contenders.
  • Automation & Integrations: Calendly is a leader here.
  • Microsoft Ecosystem: Microsoft Bookings (with FindTime) is the natural choice.
  • Budget Constraints: When2meet, Koalendar (free), or Doodle (free) are excellent starting points.
  • External Scheduling Ease: SavvyCal shines with its recipient-focused features.
• Technical Savviness: Tools like When2meet are incredibly simple. Others, like setting up complex workflows in Calendly or configuring Microsoft Bookings, might require a bit more setup time and understanding.

Evaluating Cost vs. Features for Different Budgets

It’s not just about the cheapest option; it’s about value. A free tool is great, but if it costs your team hours in lost productivity due to missing features, it’s a false economy. Conversely, paying for a premium tool with features you’ll never use is also wasteful.

Start by identifying your must-have features (e.g., robust polling, specific integrations, time zone handling). Then, list your nice-to-have features. Evaluate tools based on how well they meet your must-haves within your budget. If a slightly more expensive tool saves each team member an hour a week, the ROI can be significant. Many tools offer free trials; use them to test if the features truly benefit your team’s workflow before committing. Don’t forget to factor in per-user costs if you have a growing team, as this can escalate quickly.

Implementing Your New Scheduling Tool

Choosing the perfect tool is only half the battle. Successfully integrating it into your team’s workflow is crucial for reaping the benefits. A smooth transition can make all the difference between a celebrated new asset and another piece of abandoned software.

Tips for Migrating from Google Calendar

If your team is heavily reliant on Google Calendar, the transition needs careful planning:

• Calendar Sync is Key: Ensure your chosen tool offers robust two-way synchronization with Google Calendar. This allows team members to see all their commitments in one place and avoids double bookings during the transition.
• Phased Rollout: Consider starting with a pilot group or a specific department. This allows you to iron out any kinks and gather feedback before a company-wide launch.
• Data Export/Import (If Applicable): Some tools might allow importing existing recurring meetings or contacts. Check if this is possible and useful for your scenario. Often, it’s easier to recreate recurring team meetings in the new tool to take full advantage of its features.
• Communicate the “Why”: Explain to your team the benefits of the new tool – how it will save time, reduce frustration, and improve collaboration. If they understand the value, they’ll be more receptive.
• Archive, Don’t Delete (Initially): Don’t immediately abandon Google Calendar for team scheduling. Run both in parallel for a short period if necessary, gradually shifting all new team scheduling activities to the new platform.

Strategies for Team Adoption and Training

Even the most intuitive tool requires some guidance for optimal use:

• Appoint a Champion: Have one or two tech-savvy team members become experts in the new tool. They can act as go-to resources for questions.
• Provide Clear Documentation & Training: This doesn’t have to be extensive. A short video tutorial, a one-page quick-start guide, or a brief workshop covering the core features (especially polling and team scheduling) can go a long way. Many tool vendors offer excellent help resources.
• Highlight Quick Wins: Show the team how the new tool immediately solves a common pain point. For example, demonstrate how a poll can replace a lengthy email chain for the next team lunch.
• Set Clear Expectations: Define when and how the new tool should be used for team scheduling. For instance, “All internal project meetings with more than three attendees must be scheduled using [New Tool]’s polling feature.”
• Gather Feedback: After a few weeks, solicit feedback from the team. What’s working well? What’s confusing? This allows you to address issues and reinforce best practices.

Best Practices for Using Polling Features Effectively

Polling is powerful, but using it well makes it even better:

• Offer Sufficient, But Not Too Many, Options: Provide a reasonable range of dates and times. Too few options might not yield a consensus; too many can lead to decision fatigue. Aim for 3-5 well-thought-out slots.
• Be Clear in Your Poll Title/Description: Make the purpose of the meeting obvious (e.g., “Project Phoenix – Weekly Sync Poll” vs. “Meeting Poll”).
• Set a Deadline for Responses: This encourages prompt participation and prevents polls from dragging on indefinitely.
• Consider Time Zones Proactively: If your team is distributed, ensure the proposed times are reasonable for everyone. Most tools handle this automatically, but it’s good to double-check.
• Communicate the Final Decision Promptly: Once the poll closes and a time is chosen, send out the official calendar invite immediately.
• Use “If Need Be” Sparingly: While helpful for flexibility, overusing “if need be” can make it harder to find a truly optimal time. Encourage definitive availability where possible.

Integrating with Your Existing Productivity Stack

A scheduling tool becomes exponentially more powerful when it connects seamlessly with your other Productivity tools. Look for integrations that streamline your workflows:

• Collaboration Tools: Integration with platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams can allow for notifications about new polls, confirmed meetings, or reminders directly within your team’s communication hub. This keeps everyone in the loop without needing to constantly check email or the scheduling app. Many Collaboration tools offer marketplaces or app directories where you can find scheduling integrations.
• Task Management Tools: Some advanced setups might allow for actions in a scheduling tool to trigger tasks in your Task Management Tools. For example, a confirmed client consultation could automatically create a task for “Prepare consultation brief.”
• Video Conferencing: Automatic generation and inclusion of Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams links in calendar invites is a huge time-saver and error-reducer.
• CRM: For sales and client-facing teams, CRM integration (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can log meeting activity, update contact records, and streamline follow-ups.

By thoughtfully implementing your chosen tool and integrating it into your broader digital ecosystem, you can significantly enhance team coordination and overall efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions teams have when considering alternatives to Google Calendar for scheduling with polls:

Are free scheduling tools sufficient for teams?

Sometimes, yes. For very small teams or infrequent, simple polling needs, free tools like When2meet or the free tiers of Doodle or Koalendar can be perfectly adequate. They offer basic polling and availability sharing. However, as team size, scheduling complexity, or the need for integrations (like video conferencing or CRM) grows, free tools often hit limitations in terms of features, number of users, or customization. Paid tools typically offer better support, more robust team management features, advanced automation, and a more professional experience, which can be crucial for business settings.

How important are integrations with other tools?

Extremely important for most teams aiming for efficiency. Integrations prevent manual data entry, reduce the chance of errors, and create a smoother workflow. For example, automatic syncing with your primary work calendar (Google Calendar, Outlook) is fundamental. Integration with video conferencing tools (Zoom, Teams) to auto-generate meeting links saves time and hassle. For sales or support teams, CRM integration can be a game-changer. The more seamlessly your scheduling tool fits into your existing Top productivity software stack, the more value it will provide.

Can these tools handle complex scheduling needs across different time zones?

Yes, most reputable team scheduling tools are designed with global teams in mind. A key feature to look for is automatic time zone detection and conversion. This means the person creating the poll or sharing availability does so in their local time, and invitees see the proposed times automatically adjusted to their local time zones. This eliminates the mental gymnastics and potential errors of manually calculating time differences, which is a massive relief for international collaboration.

What’s the difference between a simple scheduler and a robust team platform?

A simple scheduler might just offer a way to create a poll or share a booking link for one person. It solves a basic problem. A robust team platform, on the other hand, offers features geared towards managing multiple users, shared resources, and complex workflows. This includes things like centralized billing and user management, team-wide reporting and analytics, round-robin or collective event types (pooling multiple team members’ availability), advanced permissions, custom branding, and deeper integrations with other business systems. While a simple scheduler helps an individual, a team platform aims to optimize scheduling for an entire department or organization.

Key Takeaways

Navigating the world of team scheduling doesn’t have to be a chore. By moving beyond basic calendar functions, your team can unlock significant productivity gains. Here’s what to remember:

• Dedicated team scheduling tools offer significant advantages over basic calendars, especially for complex coordination and finding consensus via polls.
• Key features to prioritize include robust polling/voting, calendar syncing, integrations (video conferencing, email, CRM), time zone management, and mobile accessibility.
• Several excellent alternatives to google calendar for team scheduling with polls exist, such as Doodle for straightforward polling, Calendly for automation, SavvyCal for recipient experience, and When2meet for simplicity.
• The “best” tool depends on your team’s specific size, budget, technical needs, and existing software ecosystem.
• Successful implementation involves not just choosing a tool, but also planning the migration, ensuring team adoption through training, and integrating it with your wider productivity stack.
• Polling features, when used effectively, can drastically reduce the time spent on scheduling back-and-forth.

Choosing Your Ideal Team Scheduler

Ultimately, the quest for the perfect team scheduling tool is about reclaiming time and reducing friction in your collaborative efforts. Moving past the limitations of general-purpose calendars towards solutions designed for team dynamics, especially those offering sophisticated polling, can transform a tedious administrative task into a streamlined, efficient process. Take a moment to evaluate your team’s unique scheduling pain points and workflows. By exploring the options discussed and focusing on features that directly address your needs, you’re well on your way to finding a scheduler that not only organizes your meetings but also enhances your team’s overall synergy and focus.