Technology influences how we interact in nearly every facet of our daily existence. Through social media, we stay connected with long-lost friends; with video chat, we communicate with family members across the country; and with various apps, we can order coffee and food without saying a single word to another person.
While these advances are convenient at home, they are indispensable in the workplace. Today’s business environment has seen a complete overhaul in communication methods due to technological progress. Let’s discuss business communication technologies and their impact on the corporate world.
Effects of Technology on Communication
1. Collaboration Made Easier
Gone are the days of playing phone tag or waiting endlessly for responses through traditional communication methods like mail, telephone, and fax. Modern technology now allows for real-time business communications, whether you’re using an instant messaging app or video conferencing on your laptop.
Today, there are countless tools designed to enhance both internal and external communication efficiency. Take Slack, for instance. Internally, Slack channels provide a centralized hub for teams to brainstorm and collaborate seamlessly. Externally, Slack Connect facilitates secure and convenient conversations with partners, vendors, or customers without compromising security.
2. Enhanced Mobility
Recording conversations using an app allows you to move freely, rather than being tied to a place with equipment. Words traditionally do not inspire much trust. How many times have we heard customers promise to come back for a product in a moment?
But now a business can record a phone call. Using Call Recorder for iPhone, companies can record important conversations and play them back when needed. We are talking about a simple app to record phone calls that protects against legal consequences, allows you to better organize work processes and provides a lot of information about interactions with clients.
Modern call recording technology allows you to extract information about the productivity of managers, their performance, helps improve their professional skills, etc. There are too many reasons that do not allow you to ignore call recording.
3. Productivity
The modern workplace should be equipped with technologies to automate tasks. Standard processes that require repetitive actions can usually be automated. With advanced tools, employees can also send instant messages, move work between programs seamlessly, quickly access documents, and even manage email.
Though this might seem insignificant, it can actually save you and your team a significant amount of precious time. According to an IDC study titled “How Slack Adds Value for Every Department in Your Organization,” the use of instant-messaging tools like Slack can decrease email volume by 32% and reduce meeting durations by 23%. Imagine the possibilities with all that extra time!
4. Speed
Automating administrative and routine operational tasks allows employees to dedicate more time to higher-level responsibilities and enjoy longer periods of focused work. With fewer distractions, tasks are completed more quickly and delivered to customers sooner. This enhanced efficiency can provide a significant competitive edge, elevating customer satisfaction and increasing revenue for your business.
5. Remote Work
The global pandemic has moved much of the workforce to a remote-work model. When employees are not all in the same office, it can create communication challenges if you don’t have the right tools in place.
Instant messaging platforms are a necessary link in communication between departments and in coworking spaces. Any team that works on a common result uses this technology. The report showed that 91% of remote workers felt relieved after implementing an instant messaging application.
6. Organization
Modern communication platforms have been developed to enhance organization, streamline workflows, and increase efficiency. Project management tools help ensure projects stay on schedule, automatically alerting teams when tasks deviate from the plan.
The Most Notable Technologies for Communication
Facsimile (Fax)
While faxing is quick and convenient, it requires paper and ink cartridges, leading to higher costs. Its popularity is waning due to cheaper, more efficient alternatives.
Messaging
Voice and text messaging are essential for managers and employees on the go, such as real estate agents and sales representatives. However, time zone differences and over-reliance on technology can make communication challenging. Despite these drawbacks, messaging allows for easy recording and future reference.
Mobile Devices
Smartphones and tablets are increasingly popular in business settings. While international calls can be expensive and setup costs high, these devices offer flexibility and convenience. Still, data transmission isn’t always secure.
Videoconferencing
Technological advancements like Wi-Fi and digital cameras have made videoconferencing more accessible. This method cuts travel time and costs by allowing virtual meetings. Despite its efficiency, the risk of system failures persists.
Intranet
A company intranet provides a secure, centralized platform for employees to connect, collaborate, and access essential information, streamlining internal communication processes.
Final Thoughts
Without a clear vision and achievable goals, even the most advanced technologies will not reach their full potential. But even so, they will be useful. With the right planning, such technologies can increase employee engagement, alignment, and productivity.