Benefits of business communications tools by industry

As the demand for personalised services rises and businesses seek new ways to retain customers, shedding bulky and stagnant software is a must. Your business comms setup is a vital toolkit – whether it’s the telephone system you’re setting up; the video conferencing software your team meets via; the CRM platform you coordinate customer comms through, or even the business mobiles your staff get to use. Picking the right version of each of these can save money, keep customers happy, and boost coordination across your company.

The right business communication tools can also keep your employees engaged and motivated. According to statistics from Forbes, 45% of workers feel more connected to their team as a result of using digital communication. It’s a simple equation. Happy employee = happy customer = happy boss.

If you’re unsure of what “business communication tools” actually mean or of the benefits, we’ve condensed all the answers into this one article. Read on to understand how business communication tools can cure many business-related headaches.

What are business communication tools?

Business communication tools are the software and apps designed to facilitate both internal and external communication within a business. These tools streamline interactions by offering a comprehensive suite of communication functionalities within a single platform, reducing the need to constantly switch between apps and interfaces.

Key features of business communication tools include messaging, email, video conferencing, SMS, and phone calls. Chances are you’ve already been using one in some capacity. However, the best ones will let you perform lots of internal and external comms under the same software roof, without having to switch back and forth between apps and interfaces.

Benefits of business communication tools by industry

Business communication tools are crucial to ensuring your team is plugged into your company’s daily news cycle and has all the right information and tools to be as productive as possible. Here we break down the specific benefits for different industries.

Hospitality industry

• Respond more quickly to guest’s needs → Business communication tools such as instant messaging, mobile apps, and digital concierge services enable staff to promptly address guest needs, whether it’s room service, housekeeping, or special requests. This real-time communication not only enhances guest satisfaction but also fosters a positive image for the establishment.
• Better coordinate your hospitality operation → Effective coordination is vital for the smooth functioning of a hotel or resort. Business communication tools facilitate seamless communication between various departments, such as housekeeping, front desk, and maintenance. This streamlines operations, ensures a consistent guest experience, and minimises errors or delays.
• Great cost-cutting solution → Business communication tools can significantly reduce operational costs in the hospitality sector. They enable paperless communication and reduce the reliance on traditional phone systems. Moreover, cloud-based communication tools often offer scalable pricing models, allowing businesses to pay for what they need, making it a cost-effective solution for establishments of all sizes.

Retail industry

• Enhance the training of your sales associates → video conferencing, chat platforms, and e-learning modules enable retailers to conduct interactive training sessions, share product knowledge, and disseminate best practices. This ensures that sales teams are well-equipped with the latest information and skills to provide exceptional customer service.
• Improve sales figures → by utilising customer relationship management (CRM) systems, point-of-sale (POS) integration, and data analytics, retailers can gather valuable insights into customer preferences and behaviour. This enables them to tailor marketing strategies, optimise product placement, and offer personalised recommendations, ultimately increasing sales and revenue.
• Boost employee engagement → business communication tools can foster engagement by enabling real-time feedback, open channels for team collaboration, and recognition of employee achievements. Engaged employees are more likely to provide better customer service and contribute to a positive shopping experience, which in turn boosts customer loyalty and sales.

Beauty industry

• Meet your clients technological demands → although email and phone calls have been the traditional flagship tool of salons, the business communication tools of today can help you keep up with the times and your clients’ needs. According to statistics, salons are now offering new services, with 41% starting online video consultations and 37% accepting online bookings. Tech savvy salons that use these tools show they want to make things easier and smoother for their clients.
• Make scheduling a breeze → scheduling appointments should be fast and easy. Clients shouldn’t be waiting ages on the phone, hoping to get the time slot that suits them. Tools like omnichannel customer service can really make a difference by integrating SMS to remind clients of their upcoming salon reservation, boosting client retention and satisfaction.
• Drive client loyalty → by keeping track of client appointments and how often they come back to you, you can offer real rewards. This can be a point system or an SMS-specific loyalty program. This way they can opt-in to text message updates for limited time discounts. The right business communication tool can turn into the perfect way for boosting customer loyalty.

Medical industry

• Improved patient satisfaction and care → business communication tools can make it easier to ensure your clinic or hospital’s operations are patient centric. Instead of making the patient explain their symptoms to multiple staff, having a unified communication system where data is safely stored lets your colleagues pick up each case right from where the last person left it at. This translates into personalised care and happier patients.
• Ensuring compliance → changes are commonplace in the healthcare industry, so you want to have software that is adaptable. Business communication tools let your staff respond quickly by the seamless transmission of information, making sure everyone knows how to comply with new policies.
• Easily accessible staff rotas → from rotating staff to night shifts, business communication tools can help you keep track of who is on and off work. This prevents understaffing and better planning for busier times of the year.

The future of business communication tools

From improved security features to the integration of artificial intelligence, business communication tools will evolve dramatically in the next coming years. Here are the trends to keep an eye on:

• More UCaaS → UCaaS, or Unified Communication as a Service, is rapidly gaining traction as organisations realise its potential to enhance communication and productivity. This solution seamlessly integrates multiple communication avenues, including voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools, making them easily accessible from any device or location.
• Enhanced security measures → In light of the rising tide of cyberattacks, data breaches, and growing privacy concerns, ensuring the security of cloud communications has taken centre stage. Businesses will be placing a paramount emphasis on fortifying their operations with advanced security measures and tools to safeguard their sensitive information and maintain business continuity.
• AI-powered communication → AI is poised to revolutionise cloud communications, introducing increased automation and the integration of chatbots and virtual assistants. These advancements promise highly personalised communication experiences and robust tools for in-depth analysis of customer data, paving the way for even more exceptional service delivery. Expect AI-powered innovations to shape the future of cloud-based communication solutions.