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By Productivity increases by up to 25 percent in organizations with connected, collaborative employees. But productivity isn’t the only consideration to make when deciding on the right business communication software.
There are many factors to think about when settling on the right communication software for your business, including:
- Time for work vs time for meetings
- Asynchronous vs synchronous
- One-to-one vs one-to-many
- Formal vs casual
- Visual vs spoken vs written
In this blog, we break down the three kinds of business communication software that define your business in 2020, and how in this age of remote working, you can use them to become a more efficient and streamlined business.
Emailing
Email use is still growing at a rapid rate. At the end of 2019, there were 3.9 billion email accounts across the globe, a 100 million increase from the year before.
But while emailing is an inexpensive, fast and convenient way to communicate to employees, it comes with some impracticalities, too. For example:
- It’s an asynchronous communication medium, meaning that employees don’t have to respond right away.
- It’s shrouded in formalities that slow communication down.
- It’s often victim to security vulnerabilities, like phishing scams.
Although email is (and always has been) integral to business communication, it’s sometimes an ineffective way to communicate more casual requests like an employee lunch order. Other tools, then, are required.
Top tool to consider:
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging (IM) is the perfect counterpart to an emailing platform. Unlike email, it’s an informal and real-time messaging tool that allows for faster responses and better collaboration between employees.
For businesses, however, the use of IM is relatively new. In fact, according to a study by ReportLinker, only 43 percent of employees use IM at work.
Given that almost all employees today (94 percent) have a smartphone, and 70 percent of those keep their phones ‘within eye contact’ at work, employers are missing out on a large opportunity to improve communication and increase employee productivity.
This is especially true with the rise of remote working in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to a reliable mobile communication tool – one that is secure, easy to use and has centralized administration – is more essential now than ever before.
With the right IM platform, businesses can keep employees connected, engaged and just as productive, regardless of location.
Top tool to consider:
- Trillian by Cerulean Studios
Video conferencing
For real-time problem solving and more personal conversations, video conferencing is the way to go. Given that remote working is here to stay, this communication method is becoming a staple for employees everywhere.
Not only is video conferencing a great way to help digitize your business and maintain collaboration between your distributed workforce, it also helps retain culture, boost morale and improve client relationships.
Top tool to consider:
The right business communication software will define every aspect of your business
Emailing, instant messaging and video conferencing are just three ways to communicate in the workplace. Of course, there are many other kinds to consider, including:
- Social intranet software
- Task management tools
- Ticketing software
- VoIP software
- Good old-fashioned phone calling
A well-thought out, efficient and diverse communication strategy gives your business the best chance of success. In fact, research by Gallup found that when employees are actively engaged in the company, sales increase by 20 percent and profitability by 21 percent. In the words of Henry Ford:
Henry FordFounder, Ford Motor Company“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
