As a business starts out, communication between a few employees and clients could be managed through only emails, phone calls, and in person meetings. However, a successful business will grow to a size that makes not having a modern, reliable business communication tool a problem that slows down the business and loses hundreds of productive employee hours. In addition to this, as we saw with the COVID-19 pandemic, being left without a means to reliably communicate with staff and clients when in-person meetings aren’t available can be devastating to a business. This means choosing the right business communication tool for your company is an important decision, and here are a few key considerations to help you make that decision.
Reliable Virtual Meetings
The first word that should always come to mind when you think of your business communication tool is reliable. The tool you choose should not require plug-ins or regular downloads to work and signing into the service should be simple and straightforward. This will reduce the amount of time spent troubleshooting problems people have getting into a meeting because of unexpected updates or problems signing in and increase the amount of productive time being spent talking and solving problems. Small amounts of lost time add up; five minutes for five people five times a week adds up to about an hour and a half of lost productive time for you or your clients.
Seamless Collaboration Tools
Because a business communication tool does much more than allow workers to talk to each other, you want to make sure the one you choose offers tools you can use to make a meeting as seamless as an in-person one. Screen sharing and file sharing are basic examples of crucial features a small business will use in almost every meeting. You should also look for extra features like a digital whiteboard to help improve the ability to collaborate and generate ideas during online meetings. Even if your business has the best machines it can have, a communication service that doesn’t have the tools you need can still slow you down.
Reliable Business Communication Support
One last thing to keep in mind when purchasing a business communication tool is how much guidance and support is offered. If something goes wrong with your software, then you should have support from your service to get you up and running as soon as possible. This support should last from installation and onwards because you deserve a communication service that will seamlessly integrate into your business, provide the necessary training to get everyone familiar with the tool quickly, and, of course, the right answers you need when something breaks. Never settle for less than the help you need to implement and optimize the use of a good communication tool for your small business.
Summary
While on your journey as a small business, it can be easy to overlook the needed tools and features that help you stay productive and efficient – especially when times change quickly. Implementing a new meetings software or updating your old communication methods can improve productivity and help you and your clients communicate with ease because it should just be that simple. Everyone here at Robinett Consulting hopes that these tips help you improve your business communications, and you can book an appointment with us today if you need more advice on which business communication tool would work well for you!
