5 Communication Tools for Remote Workers
An increasing number of businesses are now offering telecommuting facilities to their workforce, and some businesses are even having only distributed staff and no office at all. While remote work has many advantages, its biggest challenge is communication and collaboration. So, in this article, we’re going to share 5 great communication tools you get from cloud-based phone systems that help facilitate remote employee collaboration and productivity.
1. Web Phone / Mobile App: Call from anywhere
With a hosted VoIP phone system, you can make phone calls over the Internet. With VoIP, employees get more flexibility with a phone they can use on the go. In addition to desk phones or IP phones, remote employees can also use web phones or mobile applications. With both a web phone and a mobile app, employees can use their extension number anywhere as long as they have active internet. With VoIP, remote or home employees can make calls from the work line and can manage incoming sales calls or customer support lines. It is important for employees not to use their number but to use a workline for better security and quality control.
It may seem easier to use a cell phone to make a call, but mobile apps make it just as easy for employees to reach the office phone line. VoIP mobile applications are user-friendly and employees can separate their personal and work calls. Mobile apps also include:
- Company directory
- Make a conference call
- Music on hold
- Call recording
- do not disturb (DND)
The web phone has a built-in VoIP user interface for those who prefer to work from their computer. You can make calls using your computer’s microphone or with a headset. You don’t need to download anything to use Webphone, just your username and password to log in.
2. Live reporting: Better management of remote agents
With live reporting, you can see all active phone lines and calls in real time. You can see how many agents are active, busy, average caller hold time, and the number of callers on hold. With this in-depth information, you can manage agents and improve the customer experience. In addition to live reports, the VoIP dashboard also displays analytics to further analyze usage and call patterns. So you can adequately handle peak call hours.
3. Call recording
Another great tool for managing remote workers is call recording. Providers such as VoIP system offer automatic and on-demand call recordings. All entries are recorded on the scoreboard; you can listen and download all recordings directly from the dashboard. Managers can listen to call recordings and provide better feedback to agents. With remote employees, it’s important to have regular training checks, especially in a changing landscape where a new feature is added to the platform’s PR product. By viewing a call recording, employees and managers can both discuss feedback and suggestions for improvement.
4. Virtual fax
If you need to send a fax, keep in mind that a virtual fax machine is much more secure than a stationary fax machine. Virtual faxing is very easy to implement, with VoIP all faxes are stored online and you can access them through an online dashboard. Typically, vendors offer two ways to send a fax, including uploading a document through the control panel and sending a fax as an email attachment. Digital faxes allow remote employees to manage a fax from anywhere. Virtual faxing is not only more secure, but it’s also better for remote workers.
Better communication means less loneliness
By improving collaboration and communication among distributed workers, you can minimize remote work’s biggest challenge, which is loneliness. Feeling useful and working as part of a team gives employees motivation and purpose. Teamwork means less loneliness and can lead to more productive and happier employees. And this can ultimately result in a win-win for both the employer and the employee.
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