7 ADVANTAGES OF TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
7 ADVANTAGES OF TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Business communication is integral to any workplace.
Businesses all
over the world know the importance of talking to their employees and customers;
whether they be multinational companies like HSBC to small startups based in
regional towns.
Furthermore, the
importance of technology in business communication and business collaboration is increasing. Interactive businesses are gaining ground on their
adversaries.
WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS?
Medium states that “technology has not only
changed the way we live our lives, but the way we perform our daily tasks” and
continues to mention how inexpensive and accessible communication now is,
making it easy for even startups to invest in the right business communications
and business communication tools.
The impact of
technology in the workplace is immeasurable. Today it would be asinine to
neglect how technology has changed business communication.
Some ways in
which businesses use technology communication include:
·
With customers –
using technological tools like bots, apps like WhatsApp or Messenger or free
calling platforms like Facetime or Skype, it is easier than ever to provide quick,
efficient and international customer service.
·
With each other –
using new platforms like groups on IM services or group calls via Google Hangouts, employees can speak to one another
easily. Using technology also helps to dissolve prejudice and cliques within
the workplace.
·
With others in the industry –
it is now a lot easier to communicate with people working for other companies
in their industries; people who are selling products between companies or
collaborating in another way can communicate easily using technological tools.
ADVANTAGES
OF TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
1.
YOU CAN TALK IN REAL TIME
It goes without saying that it is a lot easier to talk
quickly using apps than more old-fashioned methods, like telephone and fax.
Using workplace
technology advantages, it is possible to speak to people in real time, whether
that be over a messaging app or via video call on your PC, tablet or even interactive display.
There are a
variety of apps that are great for internal communication and
can also be used to communicate with people in the company from other
locations. Business communication apps include:
·
Slack – this chatting app is streamlined well,
with a great layout and interface. It is easy to find conversations, links and
files that are shared and it is possible to create a Google Hangout from inside
the chat room.
·
Campfire – this application features
password-protected group chats.
·
Wrike – this is a handy project management tool
for small teams.
2.
IT IS REMOTE
One of the main
advantages of technology in workplace communications is how easy
it now is to communicate with remote workers. The workplace of the future is relying more on remote
employees so it is vital to have platforms that can communicate with them.
It also means
that employees can talk while they are not physically in the same place. It
must be said that this isn’t always considered a good thing – having to ‘always
be online’ has caused a decline in some people’s mental health, but it is handy
in some instances.
This was
impossible when businesses were relying on landline phones and fax machines.
But nowadays, messaging applications and large amounts of mobile data
make it very feasible.
3.
SECURITY IS INCREASING
The more
technology develops, the more secure it becomes. Using emails, especially when
they were sent out to the entire office, without adequate security was a recipe
for disaster. Nowadays, most apps use end to end encryption, meaning that the
messages can only be read by the sender and receiver.
Smartphones,
tablets and Apple computers have security software implemented to make sure
they are immune to hackers, and nowadays security can be purchased for
Microsoft computers as well.
This means that
emails are a lot less likely to be hacked. Moreover, external programmes often
require a password to login and have features like encryption, making them more
secure.
4.
IT IS MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Keeping in
contact with people remotely, rather than using letters, if of course very
beneficial to the environment. Vince Digneo, who is the sustainability
strategist at Adobe, stated that “the greenest paper is no paper at all”; obviously it is
a lot more sustainable to use technology to communicate with people.
In the modern
world, not many people send physical letters. However, we do still use over 12.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard every year, a
large percentage of which is in the office.
Therefore, there
are ways that we can cut back on paper, some when we are communicating
internally. Rather than leaving a note for someone, for example, save the paper
and send them an instant message. Or, rather than sticking post it notes
physically on your computer to communicate with yourself, use Evernote Sticky Note service to leave electronic
notes on your desktop.
In the US,
printed documents produce 90% of all office waste and the other 10% is in storage facilities.
While these are
not necessarily used for business communication methods, it stands that we
should be reducing our paper waste in the office as much as possible and we can
easily start doing this by communicating in different ways.
5.
IT IS ENJOYABLE!
While using
technology to discuss work matters is more casual than more old-fashioned
methods, it is also an enjoyable way to get to know your colleagues.
Emojis and GIFs
are used widely in some offices to add a dash of humour to the working day.
This is great
for contributing to a relaxed, and hopefully subsequently productive,
atmosphere.
Furthermore,
using technology in the workplace keeps things organized and decluttered. New
technology in business allows users to streamline what they want to see within
the business communication apps and easily search for conversations. It makes
for a much less stressful experience than sorting through piles of letters or
rummaging through a full email inbox!
6.
IT IMPROVES CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Companies that
have adopted techniques for using technology to communicate in the workplace
are leaping ahead in terms of customer relations.
Many businesses
have taken to using bots on their Facebook page which can quickly and easily
answer customers’ questions.
Video messaging
applications like Google Hangouts are great tools that can help businesses
speak to customers internationally.
Developing a
great app is another fantastic way to use technology to create a great customer relations base and
communicate with customers.
People who
frequently use the services of a business will download the app and use it to
contact them with comments, questions or improvements.
7.
IT IS MORE VERSATILE
As well as
sending messages and to-do lists, ways of business communication also includes
sharing ideas.
These can be
presented in a range of different ways, the most popular being presentations.
They are a great
way to share business ideas using technology. They generally involve
plans for the development of the business or solutions for any problems.
And
presentations have gone a long way since making an amateur-looking PowerPoint
on a PC.
Nowadays, they
can be presented in a range of alternative ways. One of the best is on an interactive display – which is a great alternative to interactive whiteboards – in a huddle room.
This creates an
intimate setting where those viewing the presentation can easily see the screen
and work out what it details. Interactive displays are touch-sensitive and can
be drawn upon (with the right tool of course!), making them a fantastic way to communicate
different messages.
Avocor have a
range of interactive displays, perfect for any kind of boardroom or huddle room.
CONCLUSION
The impact and
use of technology in business communication is increasing
and ignorable. While it may only seem minor to change a form of messaging or
presenting to colleagues, it has some very real benefits that can affect all
parts of the business. Including security, customer relations,
eco-friendliness, and ultimately a positive impact on a business’s bottom line
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