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With the outbreak of COVID-19, small business owners have been forced to re-evaluate the way they do business. Many have turned to remote working in order to keep their businesses afloat. But, what is remote working? Essentially, it is a model of work that allows employees to work from anywhere outside of a traditional office setting. This can include working from home, a coffee shop, or even a co-working space.
Benefits of Remote Working for Small businesses
While there are many benefits to working remotely, there are also some challenges that come with this type of arrangement. One of the most common challenges is maintaining a good work/life balance. When you work from home, it can be tempting to work longer hours or take on more projects than you would if you were working in an office. This can lead to burnout and stress that can impact your personal life as well as your work.
Another challenge that remote workers face is staying motivated. When you're not in an office setting, it can be hard to stay focused and motivated to work on your projects. This can lead to procrastination and a decrease in productivity. While there are some challenges that come with remote working, there are also ways to overcome them.
Although there are many challenges to working remotely, small businesses have greater benefits from this new model of working.
Costs: It can help to reduce overhead costs. Businesses no longer need to rent out office space or provide equipment for employees.
Productivity: Remote working can also lead to increased productivity and creativity, as employees are given more flexibility and freedom when it comes to their work schedule and environment.
Hiring: Business owners tap into a broader talent pool with remote working, as they are no longer limited to hiring workers who live in close proximity to their business.
In today's ever-changing business landscape, small business owners who embrace remote working will be able to better survive and thrive and adapt to any changes that may come.
How Does VoIP Work for Remote Businesses?
As more and more businesses move to remote work, the question of which communication tools will best support this transition is top of mind. One option that is gaining popularity is VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol. This type of business phone uses the internet instead of traditional phone lines, which can offer a number of advantages for businesses with remote workers.
Here are some key features that prove how VoIP phone solutions promote remote work:
Group Audio and Video Calls
VoIP has become an even more powerful tool for remote collaboration with the group audio and video calling feature.
Group audio and video calls are perfect for remote team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and client presentations. With VoIP, everyone can see and hear each other clearly, no matter where they are located. And because VoIP calls are made over the internet, there are no long-distance charges to worry about.
CRM Integration
With CRM integration, remote workers have access to all of the customer information they need right at their fingertips, which makes it easy to manage customer relationships even when you're not in the office.
Additionally, CRM integration can help remote workers stay organised and efficient by automatically logging calls and keeping track of customer communication history. And because VoIP calls can be easily recorded, remotely stored, and played back, CRM integration also makes it easy for remote workers to review customer interactions and identify areas for improvement.
Available on Many Devices
One of the great things about VoIP is that it can be used on multiple devices. This means that you don't have to invest in any equipment, making it perfect for remote working. You can simply use your laptop, phone or tablet to make and receive calls. This flexibility is perfect for businesses with remote workers as it means they can stay connected no matter where they are.
Accessible Anywhere
VoIP is a type of internet-based phone service that can be used anywhere there is an internet connection. This means that employees can make and receive calls from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. This flexibility is perfect for businesses with employees who are spread out across different geographical locations
Great for Productivity
More and more employees are working remotely, and VoIP technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected no matter where you are. VoIP features like auto-attendant, voicemail, and out-of-hours settings help remote workers stay connected and productive, while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Auto-attendant is a great way to route calls to the right person, even when you're not in the office. With voicemail, you can make sure you never miss a call, even when you're away from your desk. And with out-of-hours settings, you can ensure that calls go straight to voicemail outside of normal work hours, so you're not disturbed at home.
These features are essential for remote workers and help to improve work-life balance by making it easier to stay connected without sacrificing personal time.
Verdict: Is VoIP Worth It for Remote Working?
If you’re a small business looking for an easy way to manage remote teams, VoIP is the answer. Switching to VoIP can help your team communicate seamlessly and make working from home or on the go easier than ever. bOnline has business VoIP plans carefully customised according to the needs of small businesses with 50+ features – so there’s sure to be one that fits your needs. To see how VoIP can help your small business manage teams working remotely check out our website today!
