In the previous article we looked at some of the methods of communication we are all familiar with. Unfortunately, all are dated and could, at minimum, do with a makeover – in any event they simply can’t stand up in the modern, fast paced, digital age we live in.
Communication will always be one of the most important elements to any business, so it is essential that you use the modern tools at your disposal to bolster your – and your teams’ – communicative abilities. In the remainder of this article, we will explore these modern methods and hopefully enlighten you to the possibilities of technology.
Communication for the modern business
VoIP – Telephony for the modern business
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP makes it possible to make a call directly from a computer or a VoIP phone from anywhere in the world, and, amazingly, all can be done whilst keeping the same contact number. You do need to maintain a stable internet connection, but how hard is that to do these days?
ISDN (traditional telephony for business) is nearing end of life. This alone is enough to make traditional phone systems unfit for purpose, but, combined with the extortionate price tag on installation and maintenance, it makes this option a particularly poor offering. VoIP has a comparatively low price-tag and far superior capabilities; it allows you to communicate with your team no matter where they are around the globe.
Why is VoIP the obvious replacement?
The ‘office setting’ from anywhere
VoIP allows you to pull the wool over the eyes of your customers, as you can appear to be at your desk when you actually aren’t there. You can boost the levels of professionalism your team achieve with VoIP with no need to change your business processes – your clients will call the same familiar company number and it can be answered with the same welcoming slogan as it always is. For prospective/ new customers this is imperative because you need to develop that trust and professionalism that you have already established with your existing customer base. Imagine calling a business you have had no contact with previously, and hearing ‘Hi, Dave here’ – it isn’t quite the greeting you would expect, so think how you would want to be greeted and treated if you were the client.
VoIP makes it possible to establish a relationship even if you aren’t in the office; you could be on your boat or the golf course and still answer calls in the way they should be.
Mobility
Traditional phone lines that run to a business have a specific number assigned to them. Upon the transition to remote working that many of us were thrust into over the last few months and years, your teams have been forced to remember complex codes and keys to dial for their device to appear as the office number – a task that the less technically familiar haven’t relished.
VoIP allows you to make your service completely mobile. Your team can work from anywhere in the world with little to no effect on the quality of service they are able to offer your client base.
Relationships
Every business used to use Voicemail; it was a key part of work processes. Unfortunately, in the modern age, it is simply not capable of keeping up as it consumes too much time. VoIP has made Voicemail surplus to requirements. As we said, you should never miss calls anyway – clients are too fickle – so what does VoIP do to make you reachable at all times?
VoIP has allowed us to choose where our calls ring and for how long they ring. You could theoretically have the first rings take place to the office, then the second to your home, and the last to your mobile, allowing you to make a very unique, never before possible, guarantee to your clients – that you will never miss their call (during business hours anyway).
Reliability
The promises you can now make to your clients will massively improve their view of the business as a whole. With the ability to choose where your calls take place, in the event of a disaster you can simply make one of your other options your primary device, uptime is guaranteed, clients are happy, and your quality of service continues to improve.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams – one of the newest members of the 365 family – is one of the most popular apps of its kind in the world and has amassed a daily active user count of an unfathomable 250 million people worldwide. Teams seamlessly integrates with other apps in the 365-ecosystem making it easy to share files, co-ordinate tasks, and schedule meetings, all from one central hub.
Take your business into the future with modern day connective tools like Teams and VoIP.
It is beneficial to stay up to date with the technological landscape of those in your sector, as this is the only way you can be sure to stay ahead of the curve whilst simultaneously being able to solve the challenges you have in your organization promptly. It is essential that you equip your team with the tools that will allow them to complete their tasks as efficiently as possible.
Communication made easy
Since 2002, Echelon Technologies has been a leading provider of IT support and consulting, focusing on small and medium-sized businesses in the Greater Phoenix area. We have helped hundreds of companies, and thousands of users, to increase productivity and profitability by making IT a streamlined part of operations. We equip our clients with customized technology solutions for greater operational value and to reduce risk. Please don’t hesitate to get in contact and see what we can do for you.
