5 communication tools for remote workers
A growing number of companies now offer remote work facilities to their workforce, and some companies even have only distributed staff and no office at all. While remote working has many benefits, the biggest challenge you face is communication and collaboration. So in this article, we are going to share 5 great communication tools you get from cloud-based phone systems that help facilitate collaboration and productivity for remote employees.
1. Webphone / mobile app: call from anywhere
With the hosted VoIP phone system, you can make phone calls over the Internet. With VoIP, employees get more flexibility with a phone that 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 the web phone and the 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 calls for the sales or customer service lines. For employees, it is essential not to use their number, but to use a line of work to improve safety and quality control.
It may seem easier to use a mobile phone to make calls, but mobile apps make it easy for workers to connect to your office phone line just as well. Mobile VoIP apps are easy to use and employees can keep their business and personal calls separate. Mobile apps also include:
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Directory of companies
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Conference call
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Music on hold
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Call recording
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Do not disturb (DND)
The webphone is integrated into the 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 the web phone, just your username and password to log in.
2. Live reports: better management of remote agents
With live reports, you can see all active phone lines and calls in real time. You can see how many agents are active, busy, the average caller wait time, and the number of callers waiting. With this detailed information, you can manage agents and improve the customer experience. In addition to live reports, the VoIP dashboard also shows analytics to further analyze call usage and patterns. Thus, you can properly handle peak calling hours.
3. Call recording
Another great tool for managing remote workers is call recording. Providers like the VoIP system offer automated and on-demand call recordings. All recordings are saved on the dashboard; you can listen and download all the recordings directly from the control panel. Managers can listen to call recordings and provide better feedback to agents. With remote employees, it is important to have regular checks for training, particularly with a changing landscape where new features are added to the platform product. When reviewing a recording call from employees and managers, both can discuss comments and suggestions for improvement.
4. Virtual fax
If you must send a fax, keep in mind that virtual fax is much more secure than a landline fax machine. Sending virtual faxes is very easy to implement, with VoIP, all faxes are stored online and you can access them through an online control panel. Providers typically offer two ways to send faxes, including uploading documents through the control panel and sending a fax as an email attachment. Digital faxes allow remote workers to manage the fax from any location. Virtual fax is not only more secure, it is also better for remote workers.
Better communication means less loneliness
By improving collaboration and communication among distributed workers, you can minimize the biggest challenge of remote work that 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 happy employees. And this can ultimately lead to mutual benefit for both employer and employee.