With offices in the United States gradually opening up, many businesses are reconsidering their future. Companies that went remote without considering their unified communications strategy may have many employees that are unsatisfied and frustrated after months of inefficiencies. This dissatisfaction trickles down to customers and can quickly impact both your reputation and revenue.
The reality is remote work (at least in some form or another) is here to stay. In a recent survey of 1,000 small business employees, researchers found that 67% of companies do not expect to return to full-time in-office work. However, that doesn’t mean that in-office work is over. 95% of companies expect to use their office as part of a hybrid work strategy.
Today, we’ll discuss how cloud-based unified communications can help address some of the biggest challenges associated with a hybrid work environment.
Addressing Remote Work Challenges for Employees
To keep workers productive and improve their overall work experience, companies must continue to address the challenges that are endemic to both hybrid and remote work. According to IT leaders, the biggest challenges they’ve faced so far have been collaboration and productivity.
Avoidance of these critical issues will only lead to lower employee satisfaction, burnout and rapid turnover that leaves companies vulnerable.
Can Unified Communications Help You Stay Connected?
Disconnection in the workplace is on the rise, with 1 in 4 employees reporting a decline in their interactions with both colleagues, customers and prospects.
When employees struggle to maintain a connection with their team, it can challenge their productivity and the level of service they’re able to offer customers. One of the best ways to strengthen these connections is by improving your cloud phone system. These systems work to improve connections between employees, regardless of whether they use email, phone or text.
Removing barriers to communication makes it much easier for employees, as well as customers, to reach out and speak to the right person immediately. This streamlining of communications should help improve both customer and employee satisfaction.
Productivity Is a Top Focus
In a 2021 report on hybrid work, only 1 out of every 4 respondents said they had experienced a decrease in productivity. In contrast, growing companies actually reported an increase in productivity. That’s remarkable, considering the upheaval that companies and employees went through as they moved from in-office to remote or hybrid work.
One of the ways to ensure your company stays productive, regardless of where your staff are located, is to invest in a better unified communications system. These systems streamline communications and make it easier for each person to access the tools and information they need to stay productive. Since applications can be integrated, it makes the whole work experience seamless.
The Benefits of Effective Virtual Collaboration Through a Better Cloud Phone System
Employee and customer satisfaction isn’t the only benefit that can be gained from a better cloud phone system. Improving virtual collaboration through better communication and increased productivity has positive financial implications as well.
On average, companies that implemented better virtual collaboration tools saw a savings of over $197,000. 70% of companies reported meaningful financial benefits, centered in the following areas:
· Savings in their IT spend
· Revenue gains from increased efficiency and customer retention
· Time saved due to increased productivity
Working with Gregg Communications
With the potential for better communication, increased productivity and financial savings, there isn’t much that can’t be improved by making the switch to a cloud-based unified communications system. However, implementing it on your own can be intimidating.
At Gregg Communications, we specialize in working with companies to find the best solution for their unique needs. Our relationships with multiple vendors allow us to give impartial advice and guide you towards a strategic cloud-communications-as-a-service plan that gives you exactly what you need.
Partnering with us to implement a custom unified communications solution gives you the freedom to support a thriving workforce, no matter where they’re located.
Contact Gregg Communications today to book your first consultation with our experts.