How To Create A Workspace At Home

Did you recently start working from home? If so, one of the first things you should do is create a designated workspace for yourself. Continue reading to learn more about setting up a home office.

Convert A Spare Room Into Your Home Office

Is there a room in your home that does not serve a specific purpose? If so, it is a good idea to turn this room into your home office. Having a home office is the ideal scenario because it will provide you with separation from the rest of the house. 

Create A Designated Workspace

In the event that you do not have a spare room to convert into a home office, you will have to settle for a designated workspace. The most popular place to set up a temporary workspace is in a dining room. When choosing a designated workspace, be sure to choose an area of your home that is free of distractions and loud noises. 

Invest In Comfortable Office Furniture

Last but certainly not least, it is imperative to invest in comfortable office furniture. Since you will be spending a lot of time working, you might as well be comfortable during your shift! There are plenty of computer chairs that are designed with comfort in mind. 

You can stay connected to your remote workers with a VoIP phone system. If you are ready to invest in a VoIP phone system, turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems for assistance. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

The Advantages Associated With Working From Home

It seems that more people than ever are now working from home. Fortunately, there are plenty of advantages that only remote workers get to enjoy. Below are some of the benefits employees can reap when they work from home.

Make Your Own Schedule

When you work in an office, employees usually stick to a predetermined work schedule of 8 hours a day. Working from home gives you the opportunity to make your own schedule. This kind of flexibility allows you to get work done when it is convenient for you. 

Save Money On Commuting Costs

Commuting to work every day can cost you a pretty penny. This is especially true if you have to travel far to get to your office. Luckily, your long and costly commute will become a thing of the past when you work from the comfort of your own home!

Host Video Calls Instead of In-Person Meetings

There are still ways to interact with your colleagues when you are not physically at the office. For instance, video calls can satisfy the same goals of an in-person meeting. After all, a video call enables you to see and chat with your co-workers.

A VoIP phone system can help your remote employees communicate both internally and externally. Our experts can find the ideal VoIP phone system for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Ways To Prepare For A Video Job Interview

Do you have a video job interview in the near future? If you can relate, it is imperative that you prepare for it. Below are some tips that will help you ace your next interview.

Do A Mock Interview 

One of the best ways to prepare for your interview is to do a mock interview. To do this, have a family member or friend to ask you common interview questions. This will give you the opportunity to evaluate your ability to answer difficult work-related questions. 

Send Documents Ahead Of Time

Prior to the video interview, be sure to send the necessary documents over to the interviewer. This can include your portfolio, cover letter, and resume. That way, the interviewer can take a look at your work samples and qualifications ahead of time. 

Make Sure Your Video Camera Works

Experiencing technical difficulties during a video interview will not leave the interviewer with a great first impression. In fact, it can make you look unprofessional. To prevent this from happening, make sure your video camera and microphone work properly.

Having a VoIP phone system can allow your employees to conduct video interviews with potential candidates. The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you choose a VoIP phone system that is perfect for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Tips For Reducing Distractions When Working From Home

Working from home can be challenging for a number of reasons. One of the biggest hurdles remote workers face is the fact that there are so many distractions at home. Below are some tips that can help you reduce these distractions so you can get your work done.

Create A To-Do List

Did you recently start to work from home? If so, be sure to create a to-do list each day. Having a list of specific tasks to perform will give you less time to focus on distractions.

Listen To Music

Hearing background noise when you are trying to work can make it very difficult to concentrate. If you hear a lot of background noise in your home office, consider listening to music in an effort to tune everything out. Best of all, it can also help improve your productivity levels.

Take Breaks

When you have the ability to work from home, you may have the flexibility to create your own working hours. It is all about finding a schedule that works for you. Scheduling in some time to take a break will help you focus more intently when you get back to work. 

A mobile VoIP phone system can make it possible for your employees to work from home. If you would like to invest in a VoIP phone system, turn to the professionals at Reliable Voice & Data Systems for assistance. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Ways To Combat The Pitfalls of Telecommuting

Telecommuting to work is not as easy as it looks! There are certain pitfalls that are associated with working from home. Continue reading to find out what they are and learn new ways to combat them.

Missing The Social Interactions From Your Colleagues 

Working from home could make you realize how much you appreciate and miss your colleagues! If you can relate to this, it is imperative to stay in touch with them in other ways. You can fill this void with emails, phone calls and video calls. 

Securing Child Care For Your Kids

If your children are home from school during this time, they will look to you to take care of them. However, this is extremely difficult to juggle when you are supposed to be working as well. In these circumstances, it is okay to ask your spouse or a family member to take care of your children during normal working hours. 

No Distinction Between Work & Family Life

They say you should leave work at the office. However, this is easier said than done when your office is in your house! To establish a distinction between your professional life and personal life, let your family members know what hours of the day you will be working. 

Would a mobile VoIP phone system allow your employees to work from home? If that is the case, the professionals at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you choose the best mobile VoIP phone system for your business needs. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

How To Improve Video Conference Calls

Since so many people have started working from home, video conference calls have never been more popular! Are you interested in improving your video calls? If so, below are some tips that will help you do just that. 

Get Organized

Before the meeting begins, it is always a good idea to get yourself organized. You can achieve this by familiarizing yourself with the topic at hand. Jot down a few key points that you would like to touch upon during the call. 

Choose An Area With Good Lighting & A Plain Background

You must decide where you will take the video call from in your home. It is preferable to pick an area that has good lighting and a plain background. That way, the other participants will be able to see you and they will not be focusing on a cluttered background. 

Reduce Background Noises

Background noises can be very distracting on video conference calls. With that being said, be sure to mute your line when you are not the one speaking. This will completely prevent people from hearing background noises on your end. 

A VoIP phone system can greatly improve the quality of your video conference calls. The professionals at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find the ideal VoIP phone system for your particular business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

The Importance of Cell Phones In Today's Society

The importance of cell phones in today's society cannot be emphasized enough. People rely heavily on cell phones in their personal and professional lives. Keep reading to uncover how cell phones have changed the way we communicate with one another.

Keeping In Touch

It is no secret that a cell phone can put you in contact with someone on the other side of the globe in a matter of seconds. This kind of technology has the power to connect people regardless of their physical locations. Staying in touch with your friends, family members or colleagues has never been easier!

Access To The Internet

In this day and age, people use their cell phones for a lot more than just phone calls. Since most cell phones come with internet access, people are able to look up information quickly. This is a convenient feature that can make life easier in a plethora of ways.

Social Media

Last but certainly not least, people use their phones to visit their favorite social networking platforms. Humans crave social interactions even if they are not done in person. Fortunately, social media has a way of connecting people in a time where we need to be physically isolated.

Are you interested in purchasing mobile VoIP phones for your employees? If so, turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems for assistance. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Helpful Tips For Working From Home

In light of recent events, there are a lot of people who have started to work from home. Are you one of them? If so, below are some tips that will help you work remotely.

Stick To A Schedule

When you work from home, it is important to make clear distinctions between your professional and personal lives. You can accomplish this by working within a certain set of hours during the day. That way, you can achieve a healthy work/life balance. 

Designate Your Office Space

Having an office in your home can really come in handy in times like these. However, there are plenty of workers who do not have a dedicated office. If that is the case for you, you can create an office space for yourself with a desk and a computer. 

Communicate With Your Colleagues

Working from home can cause people to feel alone. After all, they will no longer be able to enjoy the company of their colleagues as they would in the workplace. To compensate for this, be sure to communicate with your coworkers via phone calls or video calls. 

A VoIP phone system can keep you connected to your employees as they work from home. The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems are ready to help you find the perfect VoIP system for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Ways To Strike A Balance Between Surveillance and Employee Privacy

CCTV security cameras can help protect your business from theft. However, some employees may argue that this type of surveillance can impede on their privacy in the workplace. Below are some steps you can take to strike a balance between surveillance and employee privacy. 

Be Transparent About Your Security Measures

Business owners should be transparent about any new security measures with their employees. After all, employees have a right to know that they are being recorded when they are at work. It is important for management to explain why security cameras are being implemented at the business and how the footage will be used. 

Keep Cameras In Plain Sight

It is better to keep security cameras in plain sight. Keeping security cameras visible will help dispel any fears that employees are being spied on by their superiors. In addition, when employees know that their every move is being documented, they are less likely to steal from the company. 

Do Not Infringe On The Right To Privacy

Everyone has the right to privacy. This is a right that should not be infringed upon. To make sure that employees still maintain a sense of privacy, never install security cameras in restrooms and dressing rooms.

Are you interested in having a CCTV security camera system installed at your business location? If so, the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help keep your business safe and secure. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

How To Handle Communication Breakdowns In The Workplace

Workplaces can be filled with all different kinds of communicators. When people having different ways of communicating, it can lead to communication breakdowns. Below are some tips that can help you work through communication errors at work. 

Use The Right Method of Communication

Misunderstandings can arise from emails that convey the wrong tone. This could be avoided altogether by getting on a phone call with a colleague because they will be able to hear the tone of your voice and gain some perspective on the context of the message. If there is a visual component to your message, you may want to have a video call with them instead.

Be Honest

They say that honesty is the best policy. This expression is especially true when it is applied to the workplace. Miscommunications can be prevented when management is honest and transparent with their employees. 

Have Weekly Meetings

When you do not communicate effectively with your workers on a regular basis, a lot can get lost in translation. Conversely, you can open up the lines of communication with your colleagues by hosting weekly meetings with them. That way, you are scheduling time into your busy schedule each week to converse with your coworkers. 

Are the communication breakdowns in your office the result of a malfunctioning business phone system? If so, turn to the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems to help you find a replacement. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

How Non-Verbal Communication Skills Play A Role On Phone Calls

You may think that non-verbal communication does not matter when you are conversing with someone on the phone because they cannot see you. However, non-verbal communication does play a role when you are talking on the phone! Continue reading to discover what kind of impact non-verbal cues can have on phone calls. 

Posture

Whether you like it or not, your body language can do a lot of talking on a phone call! That being said, it is important to have good posture during your next client call. Standing upright will make you feel more self-assured and give you the ability to speak with confidence. 

Smiling

It is no secret that putting a smile on your face can improve your mood. That is why salespeople are encouraged to smile from ear to ear and look in a nearby mirror when they are on a sales call with a client. Maintaining a smile throughout the call will help them keep a positive attitude and this will come across in the tone of their voice. 

Hand Gestures

There are a lot of people who talk with their hands. In other words, they use plenty of hand gestures when they speak and it is meant to emphasize what they are saying. Making hand gestures while conversing with someone on the phone can allow them to be more animated in regards to their vocal inflection and intonation. 

If your current phone system is not allowing your employees to make calls in the first place, it is time to invest in a new one! The professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems are ready to help you find the best phone system for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Tips For Building Rapport With Your Remote Workers

It is becoming more commonplace to work alongside remote workers. Do you work with remote employees? If so, continue reading to discover new ways to build rapport with them. 

Set Up A Team Chat

Establishing channels of communication between local and remote workers is possible through the use of team chat rooms. They can discuss their interests and hobbies to uncover what they have in common. At the end of the day, it will give your employees the chance to get to know each other better. 

Use Emojis

In the informal team chat room, team members can get their point across with the use of emojis. Emojis can help clarify what kind of tone is intended for that particular message. It is just another way for your employees to communicate their emotions to one another. 

Host Video Conference Calls

If your phone system has video conferencing features, it is a good idea to use them to connect with your remote employees. This will give you the opportunity to get some face time with them. Not only will you hear the tone of their voice; you will also get to see what messages their body language conveys. 

Does your current business phone system make it difficult or impossible to connect with your remote workers? If so, the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find the right phone system for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

What People With Good Phone Etiquette Never Do On Calls

It is natural for people to believe that they exhibit proper etiquette when they are on the phone. They may be unaware that certain behaviors fall into the category of poor phone skills. Find out what people with good phone etiquette never do on phone calls.

Making Interruptions

When talking to someone on the phone, you may want to put your two cents in. However, you should not interrupt the other person when they are talking. After all, it can come off as rude because it shows that you do not care about what the other person is saying. 

Multitasking

It is no secret that people are busier than ever these days. Nonetheless, you should not be multitasking while talking to someone over the phone. You can show that person some respect by giving them your undivided attention. 

Not Disclosing The Use Of Speakerphone

You should never put someone on speakerphone without letting the caller know. This is due to the fact that they may share sensitive information during the conversation that is meant for only you. If you do want to use the speakerphone option, you should ask for their permission in order to do so. 

Is your phone system making it challenging to converse with colleagues or clients? If you can relate, the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find the ideal phone system for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

How Business Owners Can Save Money On Phone Bills

Are you a business owner who shutters at the thought of paying your phone bill every month? If you can relate, you may be paying too much for it. Below are some tactics you can use to save money on your phone bill.

Stick To The Bare Necessities

You can cut down on your expenses by sticking to the bare necessities. This is especially true when it comes to your business phone system. Getting rid of any additional features and services that your phone system has can help you save a pretty penny. 

Reduce The Number Of Phones

Do you have employees at your company who do not need access to a phone? If so, you may want to take those phones away from those employees. Decreasing the number of phones you have in your office is another way to save money in the long run.

Do Some Research

When all else fails, it is a good idea to do some research on the other phone plans out there. After all, there might be a less expensive phone plan that could suit your needs. It is better to spend the time doing this research than to keep spending an exorbitant amount on your monthly phone bills.  

Would you like to save money on your phone bills? If so, the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find a phone system that is more cost-effective for your business. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!