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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Ways For Call Center Employees To Deal With Stress

There is no way to sugarcoat it--working in a call center can be very stressful! Fortunately, there are certain things call center employees can do to keep their stress levels under control. Keep reading to find out what they are. 

Don't Take It Personally

When you are on the phone with a frustrated customer, they might be taking their frustration out on you. However, do not take this personally. Just keep calm and handle the call in the most professional way possible. 

Take A Deep Breath

Taking a deep breath after a stressful situation can help you calm your nerves. This is a tip that only takes a few seconds to accomplish and it can have a positive impact on your mind. When your mind is clear, you will feel more capable of tackling the rest of your work-related responsibilities. 

Leave Work At The Office

After a long day of work at a call center, it is important for employees to leave work at the office. In other words, they should do their best not to bring home the stress they may have experienced during the workday. Striking the right work/life balance is key when it comes to preventing burn out. 

Is your call center in need of a new business phone system? If so, the professionals here at Reliable Voice & Data Systems can help you find the one that is right for your particular call center. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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Ice Breakers To Use During Conference Calls

Having a conference call with your team at work is a great way to get to know your fellow colleagues. Engaging in a few ice breaker activities can help you do just that! Keep reading to find out which ice breakers you may want to use to kick off your next conference call.

Introduce Your Colleague

It is customary for team members to introduce themselves during conference calls. You can take this a step further by asking people to team up and introduce each other instead! That way, they will learn interesting facts about their counterpart and then report these findings to the whole team. 

It's In The Bag

You can learn a lot about a person based on what they have in their bag. After all, they will carry things around with them that are important to them. To play this game, start with standard items that people are bound to have with them and then gradually switch to more obscure objects.

Memory Games

You can make sure that the participants of the conference call are paying attention by quizzing them on what they have just seen. To engage in this type of game, establish teams and then ask questions at the end of each segment of the call. The participants will be able to confer with their team members to come up with the right answer. 

Is your current phone system making it difficult or impossible to host conference calls with your employees? If so, turn to Reliable Voice & Data Systems for assistance. To learn more or to schedule a free estimate, give us a call at (877) 385-6657.

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