Communication softwares for small businesses are essential tools for successful business operations. They allow employees, customers, and other stakeholders to stay connected and collaborate. With the right communication software, businesses can increase their productivity and efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

What Features to Look For?

When it comes to choosing communication software for small businesses, there are a few key features to look out for. Here are some of the most important features to consider when picking the right communication software for your small business.

1. Video Conferencing

Video conferencing is an important feature for any communication software, especially for small businesses. Video conferencing allows your team to have face-to-face conversations, share presentations, and work together more effectively. Look for software that offers high-quality video and audio and a reliable connection.

2. Messaging & Chat

Messaging and chat are essential features for any communication software. The right software should allow your team to communicate quickly and easily. Look for software that offers both one-on-one and group messaging and chat options.

3. File Sharing

Sharing files quickly and easily is another important feature for any communication software. Look for software that offers secure file sharing, so you can be sure that your files are protected.

4. Mobile Access

Mobile access is a must-have for any communication software. Your team should be able to access the software from their mobile devices, so they can stay connected even when they’re on the go.

5. Integration

Integration is another important feature of any communication software. Look for software that can integrate with other tools and systems that you already use to streamline your workflow and save time.

Red Flags to Look Out for in Communication Softwares

However, there are some red flags to look out for when it comes to communication software. It’s important to be aware of these red flags, as they can indicate a problem with the software or its use.

1. Poor Security

Security is a major concern when it comes to communication software. Look out for signs that the software is not secure, such as a lack of authentication, encryption, or other security measures. If the software is not secure, it can leave you and your users vulnerable to data theft or malicious activity.

2. Poor Usability

Usability is an important factor when it comes to communication software. If the software is difficult to use or has confusing features, it can lead to frustration and confusion for users. Look for features that make the software easier to use, such as intuitive user interfaces and helpful tutorials.

3. Unreliable Connections

Communication software relies on stable and reliable connections. If the connection is poor or unreliable, it can lead to poor communication or even dropped calls. Look for features that can help reduce connection issues, such as automatic reconnection and bandwidth optimization.

4. Poor Support

Communication software should offer helpful and timely support to users. It can be a red flag if the software doesn’t offer support or if it’s slow to respond to issues. Look for features such as online chat, email support, and user forums.

Conclusion

There are many communication software programs available for small businesses. Some of the most popular include Skype, Google Hangouts, and Zoom. Each of these has its own set of features and benefits. By carefully evaluating the needs of your business, you can select the best communication software to help your business run smoothly.

If you are seeking an office chat app, you can try Tandem. Our software offers the best features for a chat app for the workspace from video chats, notifications, reminders, widgets, and more. Try out Tandem for your company today!

In today’s world, more and more companies are opting for remote teams and distributed workforces. This is because it allows for more flexibility, cost savings, and improved quality of work. As a result, leading and managing remote teams has become an important part of many businesses.

The Common Challenges of Remote Work

Remote work has become increasingly popular recently, with many organizations offering virtual or remote positions. While remote work can provide many advantages, it also comes with its own unique set of challenges. Read more about them below:

1. Communication

Without face-to-face interaction, it can be difficult to stay on the same page with team members and ensure everyone is on the same page. To address this, organizations should invest in communication tools such as video chat meetings and instant messaging, which can help remote teams to stay connected and in sync.

2. Managing Productivity

Without an office environment's structure and accountability, remote workers can be difficult to stay productive and motivated. Organizations should set clear expectations and goals for remote workers and provide them with the tools and resources they need to be successful.

3. Isolation and Loneliness

Remote work can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Without the social interaction that comes with an office environment, remote workers can struggle to stay connected and engaged. Organizations should provide opportunities for remote workers to connect and make sure they feel like they are part of a team.

How Can Managers Lead Remote Teams Better?

As the world adjusts to the new normal of remote work, managers must understand how to lead their remote teams effectively. Remote working has its challenges, but with the right tools and strategies, managers can ensure that their teams stay productive, engaged, and successful. Here are some tips to help managers better lead their remote teams:

1. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Today’s technology has enabled teams to work remotely and collaborate regardless of location. As a manager, taking advantage of this technology is important to lead your remote team better. You can facilitate communication and provide real-time feedback through a video chat meeting, chat tools, and project management software.

This will help to build trust, improve morale, and increase productivity within your team. In addition, using technology can help reduce costs and increase efficiency for both you and your team.

2. Schedule Daily Check-Ins through a Video Chat Meeting

These check-ins allow managers to stay in touch with their team members, discuss progress, and provide feedback. Regular check-ins help build team morale and ensure everyone is on the same page. It also helps managers to ensure that work is being completed on time. Additionally, a video chat meeting and check-in can identify areas for improvement and help the team stay focused and motivated.

3. Communicate More

This involves being clear and concise when communicating expectations, providing regular feedback and updates, and being available to answer questions or address any concerns. It is important to provide remote team members with the tools and resources they need to succeed and to check in with them frequently to see how they are doing.

Conclusion

Leading and managing remote teams is a difficult yet rewarding process. You must ensure that you are in constant communication through a video chat meeting and provide them with the tools and guidance they need to stay productive and successful. It is an important skill for the modern business world and can lead to increased productivity and improved team morale. With the right strategies and practices, leading and managing a remote team can be an invaluable asset to an organization.

Are you looking for a platform to host a video chat meeting for work? Look no further than Tandem. Easily see who's available to talk, who's in a conversation, and who's busy. Start conversations as quickly as tapping someone on the shoulder. Download today!

While traditional meetings are still normally held in many businesses, many companies are now seeking a digital way of doing things for accessibility, productivity, and so much more. If you're looking for such a shoe, you might be wondering what can be done to achieve exactly that. Well, the answer may well lie in video conferencing.

What's video conferencing, you ask? Video conferencing is a technology that allows two or more people to communicate with each other remotely via an audio-visual connection. It is a powerful tool that can be used for various purposes, including business meetings, educational lectures, and even personal conversations.

Video conferencing is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to reduce travel costs and time, as well as its convenience. With video conferencing, users can communicate and collaborate with colleagues, clients, and customers in real-time without leaving their workstations.

That being said, let's delve into the many reasons you should consider using video conferencing for your business:

1. Better Communication

Having clear communication between people is essential for successful outcomes when it comes to business. Video conferencing is a great way to ensure that this communication is effective, as it has been proven to be more efficient than audio conferencing. According to a survey, a majority of executives agree that video conferencing significantly improves the quality of communication and the degree of understanding. With video conferencing, people can maintain a visual connection with the other participants in the meeting, which will help them stay more engaged and process information more clearly.

2. Promotes Visual Communication

Body language and facial expressions are important components of communication. According to Forbes magazine, body language is an essential element of successful communication in a leadership role. When you rely solely on words or tone to communicate, some of the messages may be lost. This is especially true in a group setting, where people's reactions to the speaker can tell us a lot about the conversation. Video chat makes it easier to get an accurate read on the speaker and the audience by providing visual cues.

3. Builds Better Relationships

Having a face-to-face conversation is a great way to make a personal connection with someone, as it gives you an opportunity to observe and interpret their verbal and non-verbal cues. Video conferencing can help fill in the gaps when you are unable to meet in person while still allowing you to get to know customers, colleagues, and remote workers. Research has shown that video conferencing is an effective and popular way to form relationships with people near and far.

4. Saves Lots of Money

Video conferencing lets you connect with your team without the costly expense of travel. Instead of needing to purchase airfare to attend meetings, training, and conferences, you can just jump on a video call. This also allows you to hire the best people for the job, no matter where they're located. With the right video conferencing technology, you can easily communicate with your teammates using a single user interface. You'll have access to video, audio, chat, screen sharing, and even recording capabilities, so you won't have to worry about switching between multiple vendors or troubleshooting issues.

Conclusion

Video conferencing is a great way to connect with people from all over the world. It's a cost-effective solution that allows you to have face-to-face conversations with colleagues, customers, and remote workers without the expense of travel. All in all, with the right technology, you can easily communicate with your team, no matter where they are located. So, what are you waiting for? Discover your video conferencing solution with the help of the pros today!

Tandem offers a platform that promotes easy communication and spontaneous collaboration to help businesses maximize online productivity. If you are looking for group video chat online solutions, check out our solution.

As you're well aware, video calls have become increasingly popular in the workplace recently, as technology has made it easier for remote employees to stay connected with their colleagues. As with any communication, certain etiquette guidelines should be followed when participating in a video call.

Whether you're meeting with coworkers, clients, or customers, these video calling etiquettes will help you make sure your video call goes off without a hitch:

1. Keep Eye Contact

When participating in a video call, it is important to have your camera positioned at a level that allows you to look directly into it, as this creates the impression of eye contact. You should position your webcam at the same level as your eyes, or slightly higher, by stacking your laptop or screen on some books if necessary. This will ensure that you look directly into the camera rather than down.

2. Always Speak Clearly

It is important to speak clearly and loudly enough so that everyone else can understand you. Make sure you're not mumbling and that you pronounce each word distinctly. Speak loud enough to be heard but not too loud, so you don't overwhelm anyone. If people seem to be having trouble hearing you, adjust the volume on your microphone. To make sure your message is being heard, ask yourself if your grandparents could understand what's being said. If the answer is no, adjust the volume or your speaking style.

3. Mute When Not Speaking

When you are not talking, it's important to mute yourself to prevent background noise from being picked up by microphones. This ensures that the speaker can be heard clearly, as background noise can be distracting and prevent the speaker from being heard. Most software makes it easy to mute yourself with just a click of a button, so make sure you remember to pay attention so you can unmute yourself quickly when necessary.

4. Turn Your Camera On

It is expected to turn on your camera when you join a video call. This is to help make the virtual meeting more personable and engaging. With so many people working remotely, having your camera on allows the facilitator to spot who is talking easily and to ensure everyone is paying attention. Turning on your camera also helps build team relationships and combat feelings of isolation.

5. Dress for Success

Even when working from home, it is important to remain professional and put effort into your appearance. Even though you don't need to wear a suit, you should still dress nicely for video calls. Make sure to groom yourself and put on clean clothes to present yourself in a positive light. Your appearance reflects your reputation, and first impressions still matter.

6. Always Assume Everything Is Live

It's important to ensure you're mindful when going into a video call. As soon as you join the meeting, double-check that your microphone and camera are off so you don't accidentally broadcast personal thoughts or feelings about your colleagues or the work situation. Be sure to take the necessary steps to exit the call properly to ensure your audio and visual are turned off. This way, everyone can be spared from uncomfortable and potentially disciplinary situations.

Conclusion

Working from home can be just as productive as being in the office as long as you remain professional and follow the guidelines for video calls. Make sure to dress appropriately, adjust your environment, be mindful of the time, stay focused, and always assume everything is live. By following these tips, you can ensure that your video calls are professional, successful, and beneficial to all involved!

Tandem offers a stunning platform that allows remote workers to reach out and converse with one another quickly. If you are looking for virtual chat apps, check out our solution.

We live in a digital age, and video calls have become an integral part of our lives. Whether it is for business meetings, interviews, or catching up with friends, video calls are becoming increasingly popular. However, just like in-person meetings, there are certain etiquettes you need to follow when it comes to video calls.

Today, we're going to share with you some vital video call etiquettes you need to know to video call in your workplace the right way:

1. Always Test Your Tech

Technical issues are, unfortunately, quite common. Before your call, check that your sound, video, mic, and screen sharing are all working correctly. Additionally, it's important to be familiar with the software you are using. Avoid being the person who takes the whole call asking questions about the software. You must equip yourself with the knowledge of how to use your computer, not your colleagues' responsibility to teach you.

2. Do Not Waste Time

Inviting too many people to a meeting can waste time and resources. When organizing a meeting, it's best only to include the people who will be actively participating or need to be informed of the topics covered. Video calls should be kept as short as possible, with a maximum duration of 30 minutes. If further discussion is required, let those involved remain on the call afterward. This will help ensure everyone's time is respected.

3. Create and Stick to an Agenda

To ensure the meeting is efficient and productive, create a plan before it starts. Outline the topics that will be covered and set a timeline for the conversation. This will ensure that all the desired topics are discussed in the allotted time and that all participants are prepared for the discussion.

4. Limit the Number of People on the Call

Keep the size of video calls small and manageable. Ten people or fewer should be present for maximum efficiency during your video conferencing session. Too many listeners can distract from the primary goal and make it difficult to stay on track.

5. Always Pay Attention

When participating in a video call, you must be aware that the attention is on you. Don't get distracted, and give the conversation your full attention. Don't think you can get away with checking your phone or typing away without anyone noticing - the camera is focused on you and will pick up any signs of distraction. Show respect and courtesy to all participants by staying focused on the call.

6. Don't Be Late

If you are joining a video call, it is important to be punctual. Everyone in the meeting will be able to see when you join, so arriving late is much more noticeable than it would be in a physical meeting. To avoid this, log on a few minutes before the meeting starts. This will give you time to say hello and get ready for the meeting to start.

Conclusion

Video calls are increasingly becoming a part of everyday life. While they're similar to face-to-face meetings, it is important to ensure that you follow the proper etiquette when participating in a video call. This includes ensuring that you are dressed appropriately, having a good internet connection, being respectful and courteous, and arriving on time. Following these tips will help ensure that your video calls are as successful and productive as possible!

Tandem unlocks the potential of online conversations, allowing individuals to reach out to each other easily and instantly for maximum productivity. If you are looking for group video chat online solutions, check out our platform.