It is no secret that the way we communicate is changing – especially in the workplace. 20 years ago, internal processes within a business were focused on communicating knowledge and plans to employees to ensure everyone is on the same page. This model was based on a few key stakeholders making decisions and relaying those decisions to employees through internal communication programs such as email or print newsletters, memos or staff meetings. Businesses did not have tools to allow them to maximize their time and employee contributions by collaborating efficiently and productively. Traditionally, the only communication options most businesses had were phone calls and in-person meetings, the first of which creates a strange dynamic that ignores non-verbal communications, the latter of which limits efficiency and productivity at the expense of a meeting.
The business communication technology landscape is evolving and is not only empowering businesses to collaborate but also allowing them to be more efficient, productive and to drive better business results. Where the traditional model of communication puts the emphasis on a small group to make decisions and communicate those out, collaborating involves more people in the decision making process and jointly creates a more strategic, thought-out and refined plan.
Thanks to modern technology, where business used to communicate, they now truly collaborate. Tools like video and web meetings, mobile and desktop applications, messaging platforms, and business social media networks are allowing companies to easily, efficiently and productively maximize employee contributions by collaborating with them. Tools that allow for instant communication, multi-tasking and incorporate the entire spectrum of interpersonal communications are allowing businesses to increase the amount of ideas they are exposed to while also cultivating employee development. With so many tools to collaborate and get as many ideas as possible, and with so many businesses doing just that, those that are not collaborating are being left behind.
The focus on collaboration is also impacting workforce expectations. Employees expect to be part of the decision making process because many companies are involving them. Daniel Newman, principal analyst of Futurum Research and CEO of Broadsuite Media Group, recently wrote an article for Forbes.com about the impact collaboration trends are having on internal communications.
“It used to be that sending out a quarterly newsletter or weekly email digest could pass as “internal communications.” But the pace at which today’s digital marketplace is moving has changed all of that. It’s no longer enough to inform employees what’s happening around the office. Instead, they need to be tied-in to the company vision, instantly informed of product changes and updates, and given the opportunity to voice their insights where applicable. That requires a major shift in mindset on the part of the communications teams.”
The most successful companies in the world are using collaboration tools to change and improve the way they communicate internally – and to get the most from their employees, thus making better decisions and creating more strategic plans. Here at Grandstream, we offer a wide-range of products, solutions, software and services to empower any business to collaborate and drive better business results.
- Our IPVideoTalk platform allows businesses to instantly hold meetings or webinars at any time that can be attended by everyone no matter if they are in a conference room with our GVC series of Video Conferencing devices, or at their desk, working from home, or travelling using a computer or mobile device. This allows businesses to maximize employee contributions and hold more collaborative meetings that drive better business results – all while actually improving the efficiency and productivity of employees.
- If you are looking simply to hold video conferences between conference or huddle rooms, our GVC series offers a combination of features and flexibility not found elsewhere.
- Our GXV series of IP Video Phones, aside from allowing employees to join video meetings from their desk, also supports video communication through any Android app, including Skype, Google Hangouts and more. This increases collaboration by allowing for instant video meetings that offer the full spectrum of the interpersonal communications spectrum.
To ensure that employees are given a structure to collaborate and so businesses can gauge the effectiveness of their collaborations, our solutions offer a variety of planning and measuring tools.
- Our UCM series of IP PBXs (and therefore all Grandstream IP Phones), GVC series of Video Conferencing devices and GAC2500 Audio Conference phone can be integrated with Google Calendar to create a common, shared organizer that automatically reminds all meeting participants and starts the meeting.
- IPVideoTalk offers a variety of reporting and analytical tools to show how effective a meeting was.
- Our UCM series can be integrated with CRM platforms to allow businesses to track and analyze their internal efforts. It also includes a variety of other analytical tools, including call recording, call detail records and more.
Take your business to the next level by collaborating – not communicating.
Sources:
Forbes.com (https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnewman/2017/06/06/how-shifting-communication-trends-are-impacting-digital-transformation)