Communication and information have become marketable assets for companies trying to gain a competitive edge in the modern business world. Below three valuable technologies are introduced that will increase office efficiency and be very cost-effective.
Live Chat SoftwareLive chat software programs are quickly becoming the new customer service platform. Customer service telephone wait times are notoriously long and require the customers to navigate through complex options. On the other hand, email is convenient, but will require patience while waiting for a response. Live chat software is convenient for customers and allows employees to multitask with multiple parties. Consequently, most businesses find that
live chat solution programs reduce costs and customer wait times. Most important, live chat sessions are automatically recorded and can thus be used for coaching and performance improvement purposes.
Project Management SoftwareProject management software programs provide employees with a centralized organizational work solution. Project management programs are either traditional software, web-based or cloud-based. The latter two are especially beneficial for offices that have different branches, but share roles and responsibilities. Project management programs encourage collaboration and communication by utilizing various status updates. Thus, coworkers and management will be kept in the loop regarding changes or problems. It also makes it easy for management to delegate tasks to employees, who can in turn easily cooperate with others and share information. Finally, it allows supervisors to monitor progress, stay on schedule, and track project task development. For example, supervisors can keep track of their employees’ task updates and send reminders about upcoming deadlines.
Instant Messaging SoftwareInstant messaging is an excellent communication tool for internal office use. Instant messaging programs are packaged with multiple functions such as IM chats, audio calls, file sharing and video conferencing. Therefore, office employees will be able to conveniently collaborate with coworkers, whether they are in a different office or even another state. In fact, employees on the go can easily connect with anyone, anywhere, through different devices. This is very beneficial because many work positions are becoming more fluid and business information is becoming more valuable and time-sensitive. On the other hand, all chats can be saved for documentation purposes. This is especially important for supervisors, sales people, and other decision makers.
Clearly, offices should take advantage of available technologies to save money, increase efficiency and improve communication exchanges. Live chat software is great for customers, project management software helps coworkers share task information, and instant messaging software enables employees and management to quickly and conveniently follow up with each other.