3 Tips to Ensure Success with UC & Collaboration Tools 

Unified Communications & Team Collaboration

A recent PwC study reports 41 percent of workforce millennials choose to communicate via email or other electronic means vs. face-to-face or over the phone.  In order to appeal to this audience, organizations are migrating to a solution that focuses on mobility and cloud connectivity (like Mitel’s MiCloud Connect solution); this offers employees the freedom to choose workstyle methods while accommodating the needs of the customer.

From an operational and service perspective, the demands are high and driving change in the workplace.  Omnichannel presence, team collaboration and mobile technology are critical building blocks for success, and those not on board may risk getting left behind.  In this blog we explain what team collaboration is all about, how unified communications and collaboration can encourage productivity and growth, and how to be successful with the technology and tools you choose.

What is Team Collaboration?

As a business grows, the skill sets, knowledge and expertise within the business also expand.  When these groups come together, they can accomplish a lot!  Developing processes, policies and completing projects on time and under budget are the components that keep the business moving forward. The thing is, in order for these work teams to be successful, they need to collaborate in one of two ways:

Synchronously: The process of collaborating and interacting in real-time; taking the form of in-person meetings or conference calls over the phone/video.

Asynchronously: This involves multiple forms of technology and enables interaction and activities to take place any time, from any geographic location.  Examples of asynchronous collaboration involve tools such as document sharing, virtual workspaces and discussion boards.

Incorporating Unified Communications

Unified communications (UC) consist of technology such as IP telephony for voice calls, web and video conferencing, messaging, mobility and more. UC allows employees to use these tools seamlessly from any mobile device in any location; enabling real-time communication and ease of integration with everyday business applications.  To achieve success, here are three important tips to keep in mind as you select and implement your UCC solutions:

• Choose tools that play nicely with your other systems. Your collaboration solution should incorporate all the vital pieces of your business communications (network files, email, directories, etc.). With cloud communications, your teams can easily manage calls and meetings with the click of a button through a web browser and connect seamlessly from an email or meeting invite. In addition, applications like desktop sharing, chat and messaging provide quick and efficient ways to communicate and share ideas all under one umbrella to make it fast and easy for users.
• Invest time and training in your team. It is estimated that employees spend 20 minutes, on average, tracking down information they need to do their job (or tracking down the colleagues who can help them). Educating your team on the advantages of cloud-based technology and the ways it can speed up processes (like being able to quickly locate colleagues) will give them motivation to embrace new methods with little resistance.
• Work with a solution provider who knows the ropes. There are a lot of choices to make, decisions to weigh and a budget to manage. Taking the time to interview several prospective providers to find a match that has VoIP knowledge, expertise with cloud communications and shares similar values will pay off in the long run. You’ll also want to select a vendor who is willing to work with you post-sale. Be sure to choose a reliable partner who has a vested interest in your success and is willing to answer questions, offer training for employees who are struggling to adapt and be willing to spend the time you need to make adjustments.

A big advantage of choosing modern technology is the flexibility it offers employees whether they’re in the office or out.  The ability to connect via a web portal offers simplicity, reliability and consistency no matter where their workspace happens to be at that moment.  Make sure that the tool you choose satisfies the needs of sales teams, service personnel and other field employees and remote workers.  

Contact us today to learn more about us and our resume of UCC successes.  Our team is skilled in working with UCC and is ready to work with you!