Communication – Modern Means for a Modern Workplace

In the previous article, we explored some of the traditional methods that businesses are using to communicate, we concluded that they just don’t quite cut it anymore. Communication should be one of your top concerns as a business owner – it is a key ingredient to success, using the most productive method possible is essential.

Let’s look at some of the modern forms of communication, and see where they may fit into your business.

Microsoft Teams – Emails better alternative

Microsoft Teams is the relatively new, internationally renowned communicative business application, that stormed the world throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to become one of the most successful apps of its kind ever. Teams’ can integrate seamlessly within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, it offers a focal point for collaboration and file sharing, coordinating tasks, and meeting scheduling. Its arrival has spelt the end for email, or at the very least a stop to the extent at which we were reliant on it.

VoIP – landline telephones better alternative

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP is your same phone service, but it is much more jam packed and full of features – it makes it possible to call directly with a computer or a VoIP phone from anywhere on the globe, all whilst using your usual familiar contact number.

VoIP is far cheaper than traditional alternatives, this is one of the many reasons that it is the modern choice for many business owners around the world – they can communicate with their team no matter the circumstances.

 

Why VoIP?

Service mobility

A traditional phone system offers no service mobility – it is assigned to a specific number at a specific location which makes a conversion to remote working a difficult one. The process is long and drawn out, your team will have to remember the right codes and keys to dial on their devices in order for it to appear as the reputable company number when making calls, a process that is far too laborious for modern business processes.

The ‘office setting’ from anywhere

VoIP allows you to pull the wool over the eyes of your customers, it allows you to appear at your desk no matter where you are in the world. You can mirror the levels of professionalism that you are familiar with in office from anywhere on the planet – you could be up a mountain and theoretically sit down with our laptop and get on with your workday (providing you have an internet connection). The amazing thing is that working from anywhere has no effect on the customer, the call is carried out in the same way for the customer (they will dial the same familiar reputable number they always do, the call will be answered with the normal professional greeting, and will be in line with company procedure as normal.

Customers are fickle in the modern age, the first point of contact can be the difference between a successful dialogue and failed one, so it is essential that their service is not affected at all.

VoIP allows your team to take the office home – you can have a team that works however it likes, it makes no difference where they work, your client will be oblivious none the less, and they will still receive the top-quality service you pride yourself in.

 

Client guarantees

Voicemail was once an integral part of the workplace – but, in modern times it has gradually become surplus to requirements, it takes far too long to use. VoIP makes Voicemail obsolete, you can choose where your calls takes place and for how long, so you could make the first few rings take place to the office, the next few to your house, and the next few to your mobile for example. This way you can make guarantees to your customers that were previously impossible, you can confidently say ‘we will NEVER miss your call’ and actually mean it.

Reliability

With the ability to choose where your calls are forwarded to, you will not only be able to allow your team to work from anywhere in the world but also under any circumstances. If you are forced – due to unforeseen circumstances – to leave the office setting abruptly, you can still work by simply moving to any new location with an internet connection.

Microsoft Teams meetings: Modern meetings for modern workplace

Meetings have always been a difficult part of work – for managers they can be extremely time consuming and deceptively difficult to organize, this is mainly due to how hard it is to find times that your entire team are free.

With remote working becoming ever more popular, meetings in Microsoft Teams gives you the opportunity to plan your meetings in advance and automatically find a slot that works for the requested participants. Microsoft Teams allows you to use your time more productively, no more will you have to spend your valuable time organizing meetings – the meeting experience is brought directly to you, wherever you are in the world. In these disjointed and uncertain times that we are working in, Teams allows you to continue promoting your company ethos and values, an invaluable practice in modern business.

It is essential that you move with the times in a technological sense, you must use modern technology to its full potential to improve the ways your team, your suppliers, and arguably most importantly, your customers communicate. It is the only way of moving into the future with confidence.

 

Technology utilized

Founded in 1984, Horizon started off as a custom software company doing work for Snap-on Tools. We rapidly added helpdesk and network support to the business and have continued expanding our capabilities ever since – all while also successfully transitioning to a second generation of owners.

Our team has over a hundred years of combined experience in virtually every field of IT. We are trusted by clients of every size, from ‘mom ‘n’ pop’ local businesses all the way to multinational corporations who have heavy security and inter-connectivity requirements. Our employees deliver a truly customer-focused direction in everything we do.

After more than thirty years in business, Horizon continues to grow both our client base and our knowledge. We look forward to working with you to help your business enjoy that same success. Contact us now and see what we can do for you.