The unpredictable nature of the pandemic can make it challenging for business owners who transformed their workforces into remote teams to determine the right time to return to the physical workplace safely. However, some major U.S. companies have already begun making arrangements to return to the traditional office in 2022. So, whether you own a company that could gain from keeping your operations remote for a bit longer, or your business always functioned remotely, using the three tools listed below can be beneficial and keep your workforce strong.
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1. High-Speed Internet Connection
Whether you own a small, mid-level, or large company, you should ensure that all team members in your remote workforce can access the Internet. In recent years, high-speed internet access and internet consumption have continued increasing substantially, impacting how people work, participate in traditional and online classes, shop, and more. A device to work from and a stable, high-speed internet connection are some essential resources for businesses with remote employees and teams operating from the office. In addition, it empowers people to access online programs and resources and search for information relevant to their remote work.
If necessary and affordable, some employers should consider offering company-provided hotspots to guarantee all remote workers will have a strong internet connection. For example, some team members may live in areas where their phone calls drop, or their video conference calls lag, freeze, and disconnect altogether. Such lacking connectivity can hinder team communication and productivity. A company-provided hotspot can serve as one solution to such a problem, ensuring that all employees can efficiently and smoothly complete their tasks and contribute to the company’s success.
2. Customer Service and Call Center Software
Efficiently communicating with customers is just as crucial for remote employees as connecting with teammates. A practical way to ensure your team can meet customers’ needs while social distancing is to equip your startup’s helpdesk or customer support contact center with technology that improves customer service and enhances instant messaging, phone systems, and other digital channels in which customer interaction occurs.
To improve efficiency and avoid disruptions in incoming calls and outgoing calls, leverage the capabilities and features of robust cloud-based call center solutions, such as those created by Bright Pattern, to centralize your customer call center. A renowned, leading provider of artificial intelligence-backed call center software, Bright Pattern empowers businesses to optimize their call center operations and increase call center agent productivity. The innovative omnichannel platform this provider developed—equipped with interactive voice response (IVR)—allows customers to communicate with call center agents via multiple communication modes. As a result, customers remain connected with the right agent even when switching between live calls, live chat, video calls, email, SMS, and social messengers. Such a robust solution boosts your call center’s inbound call and outbound call capabilities, resulting in a great customer experience and an excellent agent experience.
3. Remote Communication Platforms and Networking Apps
Regarding team communication and productivity, you can maintain a company culture that encourages connection among team members by providing your remote workers with efficient ways to get in touch with each other. You may already use a connectivity platform like Zoom so that remote workers can attend virtual team meetings from their home offices or mobile devices. Consider using a social media app like LinkedIn or Slack when sessions aren’t ideal or necessary. Remote workers can use these platforms on their computers and through mobile apps on a phone or tablet to receive alerts from the team in real time and never miss a beat from work. Using connectivity tools equips remote employees to share information with their colleagues, update their calendars, send reminders regarding deadlines, and upload, download, edit, and resend files—all while social distancing.
Ultimately, using these three tools to usher in a stronger sense of communication can be advantageous, allowing you to promote connection and trust among your remote employees and customers amid what could be ever-changing pandemic-era business policies.