5 Priorities for Optimal Team Communication in Your Workplace
An integrated and connected workforce is a more productive and efficient workforce. No matter what industry you work in, the demands for quick turnaround are prevalent, and the pressure greater than ever. But in these work environments, there is also a growing focus on safety, and not letting the added pressure get in the way of employees being safe.
Your team members are not only spread within one facility, but sometimes they’re dispersed throughout either a town or even country – but the importance of team communications doesn’t change with their location.
Like most companies, Motorola wanted some intel into the industries and companies using their products, and the needs and priorities of their customers. The 2016 Motorola Commercial Survey spoke with a large group of professionals who currently use two way radios, including representatives from the following industries:
- Manufacturing
- Hospitality
- Oil and Gas
- Construction
- Utilities
- Education
- Transportation and Logistics
So more or less, people like you.
The biggest need found in that survey is for a communications tool that is both easier and faster, but leverages existing technology in place – including everything from two way radios, smartphones, computers and tablets and landlines, among other technologies. More or less, companies see the advantage of the interoperability of all these devices working and communicating together, allowing users to choose the device they need versus a one that doesn’t fit their needs.
This is where Motorola’s team communication comes into play. As a business, you want instant connection between technologies – because a properly connected team benefits from that. With the right changes, this is possible!
So what are the steps to optimal team communications? According to the survey, there are five key priorities that stood out among the 1,200 participants. They include:
- Instant Communication– If you want different workers who may be working on different tasks to communicate and collaborate, with the device of their choosing, (and instantly!) then the push-to-talk (PTT) performance of team communications may be your solution. Imagine the ability to talk to one or many instantly, and your team remaining on the same page throughout the day. With the push of a button, employees can talk to each other in real-time. With the right software and technology implementation, your team can use their two way radio to connect with smartphones, landlines, laptops and paging systems. A properly connected team excels, and instant communication helps that happen.
- Ruggedness – Any and all of the industries above and more require a device that can stand up to the day-to-day demands of your business. Approximately 83 percent of radio users say it’s extremely important for their devices to be purpose-built for their industries. And Motorola radios do just that (and digital is even better). Picture a device that is resistant to dropping, shocks and vibrations. And, with the right radio purchase for your team communications, you can get a product that is both dust-tight and waterproof in up to six feet of water (IP rating of 67 or more). These products are built for the toughest users, and the toughest Canadian industries.
- Application Integration – Workflow applications are of great value to companies across the board. Whether it’s for staff management, maintenance, customer service, dispatch or operations, 67 percent of those surveyed said there is value in integrating job assignment applications into their devices. Three key apps integrated into digital radios from Motorola include:
- Text messaging
- Work order management and job assignment
- GPS / location tracking
While each of these applications are different in their own entities, they drive a more efficient workforce. Other popular applications include:
- Man Down and Lone Worker features for safety
- Email gateways for quick communications
- Voice and Data – About 80 percent of two way radio users believe having fast, immediate team communication to be crucial to their work environments. Businesses like yourself are working harder than ever to connect their people – and the results are better productivity and efficiency, and increased safety among their teams. But team communications doesn’t end with voice. With workplace productivity boosting applications on the upswing – specifically in staff management, vehicle operations and dispatch, having integrated voice and data is imperative.
- Interoperability – Approximately 66 per cent of two way radio users say that interoperability with other radios, along with smartphone users within their business, is extremely important. We agree, and know the value in that team communication, which was a driving force for the latest technology in digital. The result? A safer work environment.
With the right steps, and the right implementation of these systems, your company can reap the benefits of this from Motorola. You and your team work hard to satisfy the needs of your customers, and that starts with team communication.
So what are the steps for implementation and better team communications? There is no right answer across all industries and companies. In fact, it’s a matter of figuring out the scale you wish to achieve and your needs for it.
A discussion with a member of the Nova Communications team can help.
Want to learn more? Nova Communications has been in the two way radio industry for more than 30 years and we’ve watched the technology develop to meet the needs of many in that time. If you’d like a better understanding of the potential in this industry-leading technology, contact us today, or start by downloading the Team Communications Guide below.
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