Even as we transition from a remote working environment to a hybrid workplace, the ubiquitous power of video meetings cannot be undermined for today’s corporate workforce. Like a virtual bridge, they seamlessly connect teams spread across various locations, fostering real-time interactions that mimic face-to-face conversations. 

Video meetings have become the linchpin of effective communication, enabling seamless collaboration between in-office and remote team members. An Owl Labs survey of 2022 reveals that 87% of remote and hybrid workers prefer video conferencing as it fosters better engagement and understanding. 

Companies of all sizes have harnessed the power of video meetings, recognizing their potential to enhance productivity, reduce travel costs, and boost employee morale.

The Role of Participant Engagement in Online Video Meetings

With the increasing significance of video meetings, it’s only obvious that the role of participants and their engagement in meetings, participant engagement stands as the vital ingredient for effective communication and seamless collaboration. However, challenges exist that can  impede participant engagement. 

• Technical glitches: From poor internet connections to audio lags and communication delays, technical hiccups hamper engagement, leaving participants feeling disengaged and frustrated.
• Distractions: Distractions pose another obstacle in the path to active involvement. A Gartner study brings to the fore how video meetings always encourage multitasking, which can be detrimental to focus. 41% of employees admitted to doing unrelated work while on video calls. These distractions diminish attention and prevent meaningful contributions, hindering the team’s progress.
• Absence of non-verbal cues: The absence of non-verbal cues in video meetings can lead to misinterpretations. Non-verbal cues carry valuable information, and their absence can reduce the effectiveness of communication. A Buffer study reveals that 43% of remote employees struggle with miscommunication due to a lack of non-verbal cues.

Read More: 5 Ways to Secure Your Meetings When Using Video Conferencing Software

Strategies To Enhance Participant Engagement In Online Video Meeting

To actively tackle the above mentioned challenges, it is crucial to foster an environment that encourages active participation. Employing interactive tools, nurturing open discussions, and setting clear meeting agendas can rekindle participant engagement. By overcoming these challenges, through a video meeting software companies can transform their video meetings into a harmonious symphony of ideas, collaboration, and successful outcomes. Let’s explore potential strategies that can drive participants to engage and interact better to make the most of video meetings.

1. Setting the stage: Pre-meet prep

Before a meeting commences, it is ideal to encourage participants to acquaint themselves with the meeting agenda. Supporting reading material is a good place to start. This sets the tone for removing potential hiccups and helps drive the context of the meeting. By doing so, attendees can come prepared with insightful thoughts, promoting meaningful discussions. For example, in a marketing brainstorming session, sharing market research data beforehand can ignite innovative ideas and creative solutions.

Creating an optimal meeting environment is equally crucial. Suggest tips for participants to set up suitable lighting, background, and minimize distractions. By doing this, you can ensure everyone’s focus remains on the agenda. For instance, in a design review meeting, clear visuals and minimal background noise can facilitate effective feedback and review. Such streamlined meetings can be promoted through an effective video meeting software. 

2. Laying the foundation of interactivity: Meeting agenda

A well-structured agenda is the backbone of an engaging video meeting. Encourage organizers to include interactive activities and discussion points to keep participants actively involved. For instance, in a team-building session, incorporating collaborative exercises that encourage creativity and problem-solving can enhance team dynamics.

Breaking the ice is essential, particularly in virtual meetings where personal connections might feel distant. Suggest incorporating icebreakers or warm-up activities to establish rapport among participants. For example, in a project kick-off meeting, sharing interesting facts about team members can create a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.

3. Encouraging active participation: A culture of contribution

To foster active participation, guide meeting facilitators to ask open-ended questions that encourage thoughtful responses. For instance, in a strategic planning meeting, prompting attendees to share their perspectives on market trends can lead to valuable insights.

Leveraging features like polls, chat, and breakout rooms can transform passive listeners into active contributors. In a product feedback session, conducting live polls or using breakout rooms for smaller group discussions can amplify engagement and encourage diverse viewpoints.

4. Leveraging the video toolkit: Visual aids and multimedia

Incorporating visual aids is a powerful way to enhance engagement and comprehension. Recommend using slides or screen sharing to deliver information effectively. For example, in a training session, visualizing complex concepts through infographics or diagrams can make learning more engaging and memorable.

To maintain interest, suggest using multimedia elements like videos or interactive presentations. In a sales pitch, including customer testimonial videos or interactive product demos can capture participants’ attention and leave a lasting impression.

5. Empowering participants: Strong communication techniques

Establishing clear communication norms is vital to ensure everyone’s voice is heard. Provide guidance on using mute/unmute etiquette and raising virtual hands for orderly discussions. For instance, in a team status meeting, creating opportunities for everyone to contribute updates can foster a sense of collaboration and accountability. Active listening is equally crucial for effective communication. Encourage participants to acknowledge and respond to each other’s ideas, promoting a collaborative environment. In a brainstorming session, demonstrating active listening by building on others’ ideas can inspire creative thinking and inclusivity.

6. Experimenting with different narratives: Dynamic meeting formats

Varying the meeting format can inject excitement and maintain engagement. Incorporate small group discussions or interactive tools like whiteboards to encourage active participation. In a project planning meeting, using a whiteboard to collectively outline action items and deadlines can create a sense of ownership and accountability.

Tell captivating stories, use humor, or share personal anecdotes to keep the meeting lively and inspiring. For instance, in a team morale-boosting session, recounting success stories and celebrating achievements can motivate the team to strive for more significant accomplishments.

7. Blazing through challenges: Tips and tricks

Addressing common technical issues proactively is essential to maintain seamless meetings. Provide troubleshooting tips for audio or video glitches, ensuring that participants can navigate any obstacles without derailing the discussion.

Suggest using reliable video conferencing platforms with the latest features and improvements to ensure a smooth experience. In a client presentation, using a secure and user-friendly platform with screen sharing capabilities can impress clients and build trust.

Read More: 5 Video Marketing Trends That Every SMB Needs To Follow

Best Practices for Facilitating Engaging Video Meetings

Here’s a list of best practices to remember to facilitate smooth seamless meetings. 

1. Prepare adequately and set the stage
2. Build an interactive agenda that encourages participants to engage actively
3. Keep open-ended questions a part of the agenda
4. Use visual aids and multimedia
5. Establish clear communication norms
6. Use dynamic meeting formats
7. Incorporate humor and storytelling tools
8. Overcome technical challenges

Acing Online Video Meeting With The Right Tool: Infince, A Customizable Video Engagement Platform

Infince’s online video Meeting software intuitive interface and user-friendly design are built to streamline the video meeting experience, ensuring both organizers and participants can navigate effortlessly through the platform. From pre-meeting preparation to post-meeting follow-ups, Infince facilitates every step of the video conferencing journey.

In the digital era, mastering the art of participant engagement in video meetings is a leadership skill that can set teams on a path to success. By employing these strategies and fostering a culture of active involvement, businesses can leverage the full potential of video meetings to foster collaboration, creativity, and connection among their distributed workforce. When every participant feels valued and inspired to contribute, the power of virtual meetings transcends physical boundaries, creating a united and thriving digital workplace. 

Learn more on how Infince makes a perfect Video Engagement Platform. Request for a Free Demo now!

Goals of increased employee productivity and cost savings are a no-brainer in today’s digitally transformed business landscape. As Rodney Zimmel from McKinsey Digital observes, the whole point of digital transformation isn’t exactly to become digital. It’s actually to drive value for the business. And that value comes from understanding clearly how to move from a physical workspace to a hybrid or a digital workplace platform. 

Embracing a digital workplace is crucial for businesses looking to increase productivity, enhance collaboration, and reduce costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a key accelerator of the perceptive shift to the digital workplace.

Read More: The Definitive Guide to Perfect Digital Workplace Solution

In this blog, we’ll discuss the 8 key considerations you need to make while you make the much needed transition to a digital workplace. From the benefits to caution areas, to potential pitfalls – we have the rundown.

1. The Covid-19 pandemic as a watershed movement: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for businesses to shift to a digital workplace, leading to improved efficiencies, cost savings, and a more agile workforce. According to a study by PwC, companies that adopt digital workplace technology experience a 67% increase in productivity. Additionally, Gartner estimates that the digital workplace market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.6% from 2020 to 2027, reaching $45.7 billion by 2027. Deloitte reports that businesses can save up to $11,000 per employee annually by adopting a digital workplace platform. With the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, businesses need to embrace digital transformation and stay ahead of competition. Failure to do so could result in a loss of market share and diminished profitability.
2. Investment in tools and technologies: To enable a successful digital workplace, businesses must invest in the right tools and technologies. This includes video conferencing, instant messaging, project management software, cloud storage, and more. These tools enable employees to communicate and collaborate, regardless of their location or time zone. Additionally, digital workplace tools and technologies offer companies the opportunity to enhance the employee experience, leading to better retention rates and improved employee satisfaction. Access to online training and development programs, as well as digital resources and tools for wellbeing, help employees to feel valued and supported by their employers. A case in point is Accenture, which has implemented a platform called “Collaboration 2.0.” This platform offers employees a range of tools and services to simplify and enhance collaboration and communication, including instant messaging, video conferencing, and document-sharing capabilities. Accenture has reported increased productivity and employee engagement as a result of Collaboration 2.0.
3. The need for continuous upskilling and training: As businesses shift to digital workplaces, it’s essential to upskill and train employees to use the latest technologies effectively. This can be done through online training, workshops, and mentorship programs. Upskilling employees can also boost morale and improve job satisfaction as employees feel valued and equipped with the skills to succeed in a digital workplace. A key example to highlight this is AT&T, which created a Future Ready Employee initiative aimed at providing ongoing upskilling and reskilling to workers while providing them with new career development paths. As a result, they have improved employee retention by 14% and accelerated digital transformation.
4. Cybersecurity as a crucial tenet: As businesses shift to a digital workplace, cybersecurity becomes a crucial consideration. Cyber threats such as phishing, ransomware, and malware can wreak havoc on a business’s operations, leading to data loss and financial losses. To maintain business continuity, it is important to stay wary of cyber attacks that can bring business operations to a complete halt, causing a loss in productivity and revenue.  Educating employees on cybersecurity best practices and investing in strong cybersecurity measures, such as password management and two-factor authentication, is critical in mitigating these risks.
5. Remote work as a key cost-effective driver: Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, with the pandemic intensifying the trend. Remote work offers many benefits, such as cost savings and increased productivity. However, managing a remote team can be challenging, requiring strong communication and collaboration tools and a clear structure for managing tasks and deadlines.
6. Change management: Shifting to a digital workplace requires a shift in thinking and behavior, which can be challenging for some employees. Change management is critical in managing resistance to change and ensuring a smooth transition. This involves involving employees in the process and providing them with the support and training necessary to adapt to the new reality. Training employees to get up to speed with the latest tools and technologies is key to successful implementation of a digital workplace platform. The risk of working in silos is also cut to a great degree if there is a cohesive change management plan that drives key resources toward a co
7. Generative AI and the future of work: The future of work is set to be increasingly digital, with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality playing a significant role. Businesses must continue to invest in digital tools and technologies to remain competitive and harness the potential benefits these technologies offer.
8. Processes and best practices: To successfully shift to a digital workplace, businesses must adopt best practices. This includes creating a digital transformation roadmap and involving employees in the process.
   1. Create a clear digital transformation roadmap: Develop a clear roadmap that outlines your goals, timeline, process, and milestones. This will ensure that everyone in your organization understands the direction of the digital transformation.
   2. Involve employees in the process: Employees are key stakeholders in the transformation process, and their involvement is crucial for the success of the project. Get them involved in brainstorming sessions, focus groups, testing, and feedback.
   3. Secure buy-in from leadership: Secure the buy-in from senior leadership to ensure that the transformation receives the necessary resources and support. This will demonstrate the importance of the project and its impact on the organization’s growth.
   4. Evaluate and choose the right digital tools and platforms: Carefully choose the digital tools and platforms that fit your organization’s needs and culture. Ensure that the tools provide the required features and functionality to achieve your goals.
   5. Train and support employees: Ensure that your employees have appropriate training and support throughout the transformation process. Provide training for new tools and processes to improve their adoption and comprehension.
   6. Measure the success of the transition: Regularly review the progress of the transformation using metrics that are relevant to your goals. Assess the results and adjust plans where necessary to achieve intended outcomes.
   7. Ensure data security and privacy: Implement appropriate data security measures to protect data and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
   8. Simplify processes and eliminate redundancies: Use the transformation to simplify processes and eliminate redundancies. This will optimize the use of resources and reduce costs.
   9. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement: Encourage innovation and continuous improvement in your organization by creating a culture that promotes creativity, experimentation, and learning.
   10. Communicate effectively: Communicate the transformation plans and progress consistently and openly with all stakeholders, partners, and employees. This will ensure that everyone is aware of the efforts and the benefits of the transformation.

In addition to this, the implementation of best practices needs to be reviewed to get a tangible measure of success. Therefore, defining key performance indicators against very specific goals is crucial in ensuring the transition is successful.

Read more: Role of a Digital Workplace Platform in Hybrid Workplace

In conclusion, the shift to a digital workplace is essential for any business looking to remain competitive in an increasingly digital world. The benefits of enhanced collaboration, increased productivity, and cost savings are significant, but the transition requires careful planning, investment in the right tools and technologies, and upskilling and training employees. 

To know more about how Infince can take your business to new heights, connect with our experts today!

Ever since the pandemic brought in the dynamics of remote work and hybrid models, Microsoft Teams has become a household name in the world of remote work. A 2022 press release indicates Microsoft’s revenue of $51.7 billion in the December quarter, a rise of 20% from the same quarter last year, and profits of $18.8 billion, a steady increase of 21%, with earnings per share of $2.48, up 22%. In terms of quick numbers, the number of daily active users doubled in the wake of the pandemic – from 75 million in April 2020 to 145 million in April 2021.

Despite its immense popularity, it’s not without its shortcomings. Microsoft Teams is feature rich yet falls short of some basic essentials that drive effective communication and collaboration. It’s also probably why several businesses are on the lookout for Microsoft Teams alternatives. 

• For one, it is limited in its use for large scale enterprises that have several cross-functional teams. It offers only about 30 private channels that can be a bottleneck for several communication workflows across large companies.
• Secondly, nuanced access control is not a well-thought out feature with Microsoft Teams. Rankling several industry leaders who have considered switching to Microsoft Teams, the absence of an evolved access and permission control has made it a rather unpopular option.

In this blog, we take a quick tour of 10 Microsoft Teams alternatives that offer an array of features beyond messaging and video conferencing.

1. Zoom

Primarily seen as a video conferencing tool with an instant messaging service, Zoom is equipped with a native cloud phone solution. 

• Integration with other tools and platforms: Available on iOS and Android, Zoom can host a large audience and has powerful integration capabilities. Zoom offers integration with other tools and platforms such as Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams.
• User experience and ease of use: With a simple and intuitive interface, Zoom enables easy scheduling and joining of meetings from desktop and mobile devices.
• Security: Zoom provides several security and privacy features, such as end-to-end encryption for video meetings, password protection, and waiting rooms for meeting attendees.
• Customer support: Customers can access Zoom’s customer support through email, chat, or phone besides offering a comprehensive resource section that serves as a knowledge base. 
• Pricing: It offers a limited free plan with paid plans starting at $149.90/year (or $12.50 / month).
• The flipside: One thing that deters ease of use is that it is loaded with too many add-ons that may not particularly make financial sense for a small business. Also, one of the major cons of Zoom is the mandate to download the app, thus lacking browser only functionality. 

Read More: Why Is Infince A Better Choice For Safe Video Calling Than Zoom

2. Google Meet 

Google Meet is a video conferencing tool that allows users to have video meetings directly from their Google Calendar event, email invite, or Gmail.  

• Integration with other tools and platforms: Google Meet can be integrated with other Google tools such as Google Calendar and Google Drive and other third-party tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack.
• User experience and ease of use: It has a simple and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to use for both hosts and participants. The platform offers features such as screen sharing, real-time captions, and recording abilities, which enhance the user experience.
• Security and privacy features: Google Meet features end-to-end encryption for video meetings, two-factor authentication, and enterprise-grade security.
• Customer support and resources available: Google provides extensive support and resources to its users through the Google Meet Help Center.
• Pricing: Offers a free plan for starters with paid plans priced from $8/ user per month.
• The flipside: Browser support is limited, which means some users may need to rely on apps for a smoother experience. The platform does not provide advanced webinar features, such as Q&A sessions or polling, which could be a drawback for larger meetings.

Read More: 5 Workplace Innovations You Can Welcome with Video Conferencing

3.  Infince

Here’s how Infince Scores over other remote platforms. 

• Tailored for remote work: Infince is designed to cater to the needs of remote teams by centralizing communication, collaboration, and data management in a single platform. The platform is optimized for remote access, usage, and management, providing businesses with flexibility and control over their operations.
• Enhanced security: Infince uses the latest security protocols and encryption methods to ensure data privacy and protection from cyber threats. The platform is hosted on a private cloud infrastructure, which provides additional security layers compared to public cloud hosting used by Microsoft 365 or Google Meets.
• Cost-effective pricing: Infince offers scalable pricing plans suitable for businesses of all sizes and budgets. The pricing is transparent with no hidden costs, making it easy for businesses to budget and predict their expenses.
• High degree of customizability: Infince features highly customizable templates that businesses can tailor to match their brand identity. This allows businesses to create a professional look and feel for their platform without the need for expensive customization.
• Dedicated support: Infince provides users with dedicated 24/7 support via phone, email, or chat. This ensures that businesses always have access to help when they need it, improving the efficiency and productivity of remote teams. It is in fact a perfect alternative during Microsoft Cloud or Google Cloud outages.

4. Cisco Webex

• Integration: Integrates with multiple tools, including Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and Google Calendar.
• User Experience: Offers an easy-to-use interface, with features like screen sharing and virtual backgrounds.
• Security and Privacy: Provides industry-leading security measures and end-to-end encryption.
• Customer Support: Offers technical support through multiple channels, including phone and chat. 
• Pricing: Offers a free plan with paid plans ranging from $14.95/host per month.
• The flipside: Limited customization options and slightly higher pricing compared to other video conferencing platforms.

Read More: 6 Ways to Build a Secure File Sharing Practice Within Your Organization

5. ClickUp

• Integration: Integrates with popular tools such as Slack, Trello, and Google Calendar.
• User Experience: Offers a customizable interface, with various views and templates.
• Security and Privacy: Provides options like two-factor authentication and GDPR compliance.
• Customer Support: Offers 24/7 customer support through email and live chat.
• Pricing: Comes with a free plan for unlimited users and paid versions starting at $5 per user/month. 
• The flipside: Steep learning curve and requires a longer setup time compared to other project management tools.

6. Chanty

• Integration: Integrates with G Suite and third-party apps like Zapier and Trello.
• User Experience: Offers a simple, clutter-free interface with features like threaded conversations and file sharing.
• Security and Privacy: Provides end-to-end encryption and compliance with GDPR.
• Customer Support: Offers support via email, chat, and phone, with a detailed knowledge base. 
• Pricing: Provides a free plan for up to 10 members and a paid plan with $3/user/month.
• The flipside: Lacks advanced features like screen sharing and video calling, and limited integrations compared to other team chat platforms.

7. Pumble

• Integration: Integrates with Google Drive, GitHub, Bitbucket, and Zapier.
• User Experience: Offers a simple, user-friendly interface with features like public and private channels and voice messaging.
• Security and Privacy: Provides end-to-end encryption and complies with GDPR.
• Customer Support: Offers 24/7 support through a dedicated team and a comprehensive knowledge base. 
• Pricing: Offers a free forever plan that works for the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Paid plans start at $1.99 per user per month with access to most Pumble features. 
• The flipside: Limited integrations and lacks video conferencing capabilities compared to other team chat platforms.

Read More: 5 Tips To Effectively Manage Remote Teams During Challenging Times

8. Brosix

• Integration: Integrates with other tools via Zapier and offers API for custom integration.
• User Experience: Offers a user-friendly interface with features like group and screen sharing and a customizable chat environment.
• Security and Privacy: Provides end-to-end encryption and complies with EU data privacy laws.
• Customer Support: Offers 24/7 customer support through phone, email, and live chat.
• Pricing:A forever free plan that works for small teams that are just getting started. Paid plans begin at $4 user per month.
• The flipside: Limited integrations compared to other team chat platforms and higher pricing compared to some competitors.7. Pumble:

• Integration: Integrates with Google Drive, GitHub, Bitbucket, and Zapier.
• User Experience: Offers a simple, user-friendly interface with features like public and private channels and voice messaging.
• Security and Privacy: Provides end-to-end encryption and complies with GDPR.
• Customer Support: Offers 24/7 support through a dedicated team and a comprehensive knowledge base. 
• Pricing: Offers a free forever plan that works for the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Paid plans start at $1.99 per user per month with access to most Pumble features. 
• The flipside: Limited integrations and lacks video conferencing capabilities compared to other team chat platforms.

9. Zoho

• Integration: Offers integration with many popular tools, including G Suite, Salesforce, and Slack.
• User Experience: Offers a user-friendly interface with features like task management and a customizable dashboard.
• Security and Privacy: Provides industry-standard security measures and promotes data privacy.
• Customer Support: Offers support through phone, email, and chat, with a comprehensive knowledge base and user forum. 
• The flipside: Advanced features require higher-tier subscriptions, and some users may find the interface and navigation slightly overwhelming.

10. Slack

• Integration: Offers integration with various tools, including Google Drive, Zoom, and Trello.
• User Experience: Offers a user-friendly interface with features like channels and direct messaging, file sharing, and app management.
• Security and privacy: Provides various data security and privacy measures, including enterprise-level encryption and two-factor authentication.
• Customer Support: Offers 24/7 customer support through phone, email, and chat, with a detailed knowledge base and user forum. 
• The flipside: Lack of threaded chats, and some users may find it challenging to locate specific conversations or messages

To Summarize

Remote work is gaining popularity with the various shifts in work culture. How companies strategize, evaluate and implement the right tools would define the path to their success. Where, some businesses might focus on improving work efficiency, others might depend on advanced tools and technologies to enhance work collaboration. However, a platform like Infince is built to help embrace the ever changing digital work environment and thrive with the rising technology advancements. 

Connect with us today to learn more about Infince!

Even as the pandemic unfolded, physical workspaces have started to become obsolete with remote work growing in popularity. A U.S. Census Bureau data reveals that the number of people primarily working remotely grew from 5.7 percent in 2019 (roughly 9 million people) to 17.9 percent in 2021. An Accenture’s 2021 Future of Work survey shows how a whopping 83 percent of employees indicated preferences for hybrid work, while 63 percent of high-growth companies are already implementing hybrid work models to enhance workplace productivity and nurture a culture of flexibility and openness.

With companies world over implementing remote work policies, how well are you covered? Being able to work remotely is a great way to go if you have the right tools. That said, is investing in a comprehensive remote work platform on your radar?

Let’s help you figure it all out in our detailed guide on remote work software and its uses. 

IN THIS GUIDE

• Defining a remote work platform
• Common myths of a remote work software debunked
• Why is a remote work platform essential for today’s digital workforce?
• What are the benefits of a remote work software?
• What are the challenges involved in implementing a remote work software?
• How does a remote work software drive employee experience?
• Why should Infince be your go-to other remote work platforms?
• Conclusion

First things first, let’s explore a few myths that are typically associated when the topic of remote work is discussed. Let’s explore a few.

Defining a Remote Work Platform

A remote work platform is a digital tool or platform that allows individuals or teams to work and collaborate on projects, tasks, and assignments remotely from various locations. They are typically equipped with communication tools, task management, file sharing, and video conferencing.

Common Myths of a Remote Work Software Debunked

1. Remote work brings down productivity of employees: Well, this is a big no. A remote work software is equipped to handle virtual communication and collaboration tasks effectively without compromising on efficiency, thus playing a significant role in driving employee productivity. With optimized workflows cutting down on time-intensive processes, remote work tools help build agile teams that are ready to take on the challenges of a future-ready workplace. As the complexities of the modern workforce increase, the time is now to think about a comprehensive remote work platform that handles the a to z of communication, connectivity, and collaboration and helps employees adapt to the evolving needs of a dynamic business workplace.

2. Remote work can leave room for communication gaps: This is yet another misconception that often gets tagged with remote workplaces. A remote work platform helps remote teammates collaborate effortlessly through sharing files on the go over the cloud, manage projects efficiently, and track progress reports frequently by offering an integrated view of several linked workflows. This ensures that cross-functional teams stay well connected and are not working in isolated silos besides fostering an integrated working environment where team members can track project statuses, leads, define tasks, and set deadlines.

3. Remote work demotivates employees: With workplace demographics continuing to shift, the use of remote collaboration tools is on the rise and for good reason. Particularly fuelled by the growing demands to increase employee productivity and cut costs, remote work platforms act as a source of motivation by reshaping the very outlook of work.

Now that we have debunked some myths, let’s define the elements that constitute a remote work platform and understand the benefits it brings to the corporate table. Precisely, a remote work software entails a robust, technological version (aka a digital workplace) of a physical workspace, that encompasses all the technologies that both employers and employees use to get work done in today’s workplace. Ranging from HR applications, e-mail communication tools, core business applications to  instant messaging and enterprise social media tools and virtual assistants, a comprehensive remote work platform consists of a suite of several applications that are meant to transform the employee experience. 

Why is a Remote Work Platform Essential for Today’s Digital Workforce?

In today’s digital workplace, remote work platforms are essential for organizations to ensure seamless communication, collaboration, and project management. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work platforms for many organizations. Remote work platforms provide a range of benefits to both employers and employees, including increased flexibility, reduced overhead costs, and improved work-life balance.

Remote work platforms enable employees to work collaboratively with their colleagues, thereby fostering teamwork and productivity. By using a remote work platform, employees can work on the same documents, share their ideas and collaborate on projects as if they were working in the same office.

What are the Benefits of a Remote Work Platform?

1. Greater employee retention and talent acquisition: A remote friendly work culture is a perk that any employee appreciates. Given that working remotely gives autonomy and flexibility to employees, there is a good chance that employees would opt for a lower paying job if they could work away from the office. Not just from the employee standpoint, employers also stand to gain with remote work as they get to hire top talent and indirectly save on business costs. 

2. Enhanced communication channels: Today’s digital workforce prefers modern communication channels that allows them to communicate on the go without having to gather in meetings that are all too time-consuming. 

3. Reduced costs: For employers in the digital age, investing in IT infrastructure and physical office workspaces may run into overhead costs in the long run. With fewer people in a physical office setup, organizations can cut down on their real estate footprint, reduce costs to run onsite business operations, including office space, equipment and travel reimbursement.

What are the Typical Challenges Involved in Implementing a Remote Work Software?

1. Steep learning curve: While a remote work software is composed of a bunch of applications serving distinct functions, it’s important for your remote work software to work as a unified platform that helps employees have a delightful employee experience. However, this comes with a certain trade-off. To make the most of remote work, it’s important for employees to be tech-savvy and invest time and energy on getting a grasp of multiple tools, no matter how simple they seem. 

2. Integration issues: It’s important to ensure that your technology teams work in cohesion with your infrastructure management teams to get through the traps of siloed implementations and disparate ownership. 

3. Data security and porting: While employees work with scores of data that gets exchanged across all remote work collaboration tools, it’s imperative to keep a tab on secure data sharing and porting. Switching and porting data between multiple apps leads to significant time losses. For instance, a typical day of a remote worker would involve attending a meeting over a video conference on a separate application while also writing an email via an email tool. So the need to maintain a unified view of data is important. 

How does a Remote Work Software Drive Employee Experience?

In addition to boosting productivity, remote work platforms also drive employee experience. These platforms help employees feel more connected to their colleagues and their organization, even when working remotely. Communication tools such as chat, video conferencing, and messaging platforms facilitate a sense of community and enable workers to build relationships with co-workers and managers.

Remote work software also contributes to work-life balance for employees. They allow workers to work from anywhere, anytime, thereby reducing the stress and time involved in commuting. Additionally, these platforms provide employees with greater autonomy, resulting in improved job satisfaction.

Remote work software is essential for organizations that want to stay competitive and provide the best experience for their employees. By using remote work software, businesses can empower their remote workforce to work collaboratively and productively, regardless of where they are in the world. Moreover, remote work platforms drive employee experience, enable work-life balance, and foster a sense of community among remote workers.

Must-Have Features of a Comprehensive Remote Work Software

We list some must-have features that should comprise an ideal remote work software. While investing in one, be sure to check on them.

1. Collaboration apps: Since collaboration is the lifeblood of remote work, your remote work platform needs to be fully equipped to facilitate video meetings, live chat, and bring up a comprehensive employee directory for quick lookup.

2. Productivity tools: Contextual tools that raise productivity such as spreadsheets, presentations, calendars, and calendars are an absolute must. 

3. Flexible integrations and mobile compatibility: Your remote work platform should be capable of unifying all your existing and future digital systems. This gives you an inherent edge because you are not only able to centralize the technology architecture but also indirectly increase enterprise-level flexibility. This helps businesses to scale up, or down, according to dynamic business needs.

4. Secure cloud file sharing: To support a workforce that’s spread across the globe, your remote work tool should be hosted on the cloud, facilitating employees to to work from any location and from any device, with just a basic connection to the internet. Besides being cloud-based, the tool should also have cloud storage to store all important business files and documents in order to make it easier for employees to access the latest versions of files, whether they are in the office or working from home.

Why should Infince be your go-to over other remote work platforms?

The following features make Infince truly beneficial for customers and offers them a competitive advantage over other remote work software. 

1. Comprehensive and customizable: Infince offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features to facilitate remote work across multiple departments in an organization. The platform can be customized to cater to specific business needs, ensuring a personalized and productive workflow.

2. Affordable and scalable: The pricing of Infince is transparent and budget-friendly, with no hidden costs or fees. The platform is scalable and can be adapted according to the size of the organization, making it accessible to small start-ups as well as large enterprises.

3. Secure and reliable: Infince is built with enterprise-grade security protocols to ensure data confidentiality and protection. The platform also ensures reliable access to data and applications with 99.9% uptime.

4. User-friendliness: Infince is designed to be user-friendly, with a user interface that is easy to navigate and understand. The platform is also compatible across multiple devices, making it convenient for users to work remotely from anywhere in the world.

5. Collaborative and efficient: Infince fosters collaboration among team members, making it easier to work together and achieve goals. The platform enables efficient project management, workflow automation, and streamlined communication among team members, resulting in improved productivity and efficiency.

Conclusion

As the modern workplace continues to evolve, and employee expectations shift, organizations that do not embrace the digital workplace risk falling behind. With Infince, you can experience seamless, integrated and intuitive collaboration with the perfect remote work software at play! Get in touch with us for a free demo, and we would be glad to chip in!

Despite the soaring popularity of virtual meetings since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers point toward the concern that virtual meetings aren’t as effective as the traditional, in-person meetings. 

“Part of the problem might be that we’re worse at taking turns in virtual conversations than in physical ones.” (Stanford University, 2022)

“The number of meetings grew by 7.4% between June 2020 and December 2021, but the meetings were typically of low quality.” (University of Cambridge Judge Business School, 2022)

Many employees are annoyed with the amount of time lost due to technical issues, delayed meetings, irrelevant agenda, off-topic discussions, unpreparedness, and loud background noises. These challenges, however, cannot deny the fact that virtual meetings are here to stay. Gartner data shows that by 2025, 50% of all enterprise virtual events will be held on the video meeting platforms commonly used by organizations today, proving that video meetings are not likely to disappear from our workplace anytime soon.  

What does it take to run an effective virtual meeting that facilitates collaboration, engagement, and communication between in-office and remote teams? 

Common Challenges in Hosting Virtual Meetings

The use of virtual meetings in workplace can raise several concerns, some of the most commonly cited issues are discussed below:

• It can be difficult to pick up on non-verbal cues such as body language and gestures in virtual meetings. For instance, the meeting host or speaker may not be able to gauge whether other members of the meeting are puzzled, distracted or have lost interest.
• Video meetings can lead to Zoom fatigue, a unique kind of exhaustion that occurs when people participate in video meetings for an extended time period. The constant need to focus on screens, lack of breaks, and the difficulty in understanding non-verbal or social cues lead to fatigue and reduced productivity.
• Technical glitches that you have no control over, such as server or internet connection outages, microphone failure, audio problems, crashing of shared applications, or the trouble of logging into a virtual meeting. 
• Many people prefer face-to-face, in-person interaction instead of virtual team meetings. Remote team members may not get enough time to bond with each other and build formal relationships. The result can be a lack of mutual trust which, in turn, can impact your team’s productivity.
• Scheduling virtual meetings could be a challenge when you want remote teams working from multiple locations and different time zones to join the meeting at a reasonable hour.

Best Practices & Tips to Make Your Video Meetings More Effective

1. Turn your camera on during virtual calls

In a prolonged remote work environment, your employees get only little in-person face time with their colleagues, supervisors, or managers. Keeping the camera on during virtual meetings will make your video conferences more accessible, exciting, and intuitive for participants. 

By observing the facial expressions and body language of the participants during a video call, you can pick up contextual cues that are often lost over audio calls or text-based modes of communication such as chat or email. Encouraging your team members to turn on their cameras during video meetings can make them feel more connected, engaged, and productive.   

2. Use interactive tools to increase engagement

Utilizing interactive tools like polls, surveys, quizzes, and breakout rooms during virtual meetings will allow participants to get involved as if they are all in the same space.

Breakout rooms are one of the most popular features in Infince video meeting platform that helps create a dynamic virtual meeting experience. Meeting organizers or hosts can use the breakout rooms to divide participants into smaller groups for focused discussions and effective collaboration. 

Infince video meeting software allows you to create and launch polls/ quizzes during a virtual meeting and gather the responses from your participants. You can frame customized questions for your polls and see the results in real-time to make informed decisions or next steps. 

Using the Raise a Hand feature in the Infince video meeting platform, a participant can notify the meeting host that they want to discuss a point without disrupting the flow of the meeting. All these tools promote better participation and collaboration and provide valuable feedback to the meeting organizers.

3. Allow short breaks between each meeting

Back-to-back virtual meetings can be stressful and decrease your ability to focus and engage. Participants should be encouraged to step away from their screens and take a short break in between successive meeting schedules. It prevents stress from building up. 

Here are a few tips to make your moments of respite successful:

• View breaks away from your computer will help shift your mind and re-energize before joining the next meeting.
• A short meditation break or a simple physical activity such as a stroll will help you feel refreshed and recharged when you start your next meeting.
• Before scheduling a video call, do check if you really require a meeting to discuss the issue or if it can be solved through email, live chat, or document collaboration. 
• Make your meetings more intentional. Create and share an agenda ahead of time, think about who attends the meeting, start and stop on time, and transition to a five-minute recap at the end of the call. 
• Raise your hand, polls and quizzes, breakout rooms, and other interactive tools are great ways to keep your participants involved and elicit creative and strategic conversations.  

4. Find the right balance between virtual and in-person meetings

Despite returning to normal after the pandemic, virtual calls continue to be a staple of the daily business routines. Though virtual meetings cannot completely replace face-to-face meetings for good, they are likely to remain as a part of our working lives as most businesses adjust to a hybrid way of working. 

Here are a few tips to balance both in-person and virtual meetings:

• Choose the meeting type based on the topic or context. If you’re reaching out to a client for a quick check-in, a virtual meeting would suffice. If you want to discuss a major portfolio change or strategy adjustments, it’s better to meet in-person, if possible.
• Schedule virtual meetings and invite participants ahead of time to best manage your time and theirs, especially when you’re collaborating with remote teams located in different time zones.  
• Gauge the complexity level of the issue you’re going to discuss. If you’re tackling a thorny problem that’s difficult to comprehend or is emotionally complex, it’s better to go for an in-person meeting. 
• Finally, choose the meeting type that would be more inclusive. Consider your participants’ availability (proximity) for an in-person meeting. Check if they have a tight schedule that makes it difficult to find a common time for an in-person meeting. In this case, scheduling a virtual meeting can ensure maximum participation and inclusion.  

The Final Word

In the post-pandemic era, the workplace could mean different things for different people. With the erratic work arrangements across companies, individual teams, and industry segments, workers need video meetings more than ever.

The real challenge for employers now is to foster true collaboration in a hybrid workplace setting by balancing remote and in-office employee experiences – and a video meeting platform is the key to achieving that. 

With Infince, your organization can experience all the benefits and features of a modern digital workplace. Enable your team to work together from anywhere, using any device with our comprehensive virtual meeting software. Get started today.

Connect with our experts today or Request a Free Demo!

Definition and Evolution of Digital Workplace Platforms

Digital workplace platforms have evolved tremendously over the past few years, with the modern workplace requiring much more than just a basic communication tool. In a dynamic business environment where change is the only constant, employees require a cohesive digital experience to collaborate, access important information, communicate with colleagues seamlessly, and manage their workload effectively.

As a result, modern digital workplace platforms now provide a range of features that enable businesses to meet these needs. A suite of applications that enable businesses to function remotely, collaborate online, and have access to cloud-based tools to run day-to-day operations, digital workplace platforms include communication tools such as email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and project management tools. Analogously, these platforms act as virtual offices where employees can share files, communicate with colleagues, and complete work tasks. A digital workplace platform is like a toolbox that provides everything you need to get the job done from anywhere on any device, examples of which include HR databases, knowledge management systems, and customer relationship management software.

Read more: What is a Digital Workplace: A Complete Guide! 

Employee Experience: The Key Driver 

Several studies have confirmed that a positive employee experience leads to higher engagement, productivity, retention, and even profitability. For example, according to a 2023 Gartner Survey, 83% of HR leaders believe employee experience is crucial to their organization’s success. On the other hand, companies with poor employee experience see high turnover rates, low productivity, a bad work culture, and even customer dissatisfaction.

For a digital workspace to translate to building a positive employee experience, personalization, mobile accessibility, and ease of use are some critical ingredients.

1. Personalization involves tailoring the digital workspace experience to each employee’s unique needs and preferences – this can be achieved through customized dashboards, relevant information feeds, or custom notifications. 

2. Mobile accessibility means enabling employees to work from anywhere, anytime, on any device. An easy-to-use interface and accessibility from anywhere ensure employees can navigate the digital workplace platform without friction, frustration, or confusion. This also contributes to shorter learning curves and lesser training mandates.

Robust Integration with Third-Party Applications: A Must-have

According to a study conducted by the Aberdeen Group, companies that integrate their enterprise applications experience a 20% increase in productivity. This includes everything from marketing, sales, and supply chain management to HR and finance. Key integration capabilities that need to be present in a digital workplace include compatibility, security, and scalability. Compatibility means having the ability to integrate with a variety of applications, ensuring that you have access to your entire suite of tools. Security is important to ensure sensitive data remains safe and protected. Finally, scalability refers to the ability to add or remove apps as needed without disrupting the current workflow.

The Three Cs – Cloud, Collaboration, and Communication

Microsoft reported a 27% increase in revenue from investing in intelligent cloud, with an overall revenue uptick of 39% attached to the cloud. If you want to take a leaf from their book, you know where to put your money. Cloud-hosting is your best bet for a digital workplace platform especially because it safeguards important information, reduces the risk of data loss, increases security, and of course, allows your employees to share and access files from a central location, lending to a simple and seamless experience. Following suit, communication, and collaboration are key elements that have to fall in place if a digital workplace platform is considered successful.

Read more: Role of a Digital Workplace Platform in Hybrid Workplace

Adherence to Regulatory Compliance and Security: The Much-needed Protocol

Adherence to security and compliance policies is critical to the success of digital workplace platforms. Companies that comply with regulations and protect user data enjoy higher levels of trust and customer loyalty, leading to increased revenue and growth. It is essential to prioritize security and compliance to safeguard against the cost and reputational damage of a security breach. The implementation of security features like single sign-on, two-factor authentication, and data encryption has become crucial for digital workplace platforms to protect sensitive information. According to a report by Verizon, over 80% of data breaches are caused by weak or stolen credentials, which can be prevented by using these security measures. Companies like Slack and Microsoft Teams have successfully implemented these features, resulting in improved security and increased adoption rates. In fact, Microsoft Teams reported a record 2.7 billion meeting minutes in a single day in March 2020, attributed to the platform’s security measures.

Embracing Web3 Technologies

Gartner predicts that by 2024, AI will have automated as much as 75% of the manual work involved in project management-related administrative tasks. Better yet, a study by Accenture found that AI adoption could increase workplace productivity by as much as 40%.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning learning (ML) are becoming increasingly important in the digital workplace, and new platforms are designed to leverage these technologies to enhance productivity and automate routine tasks. One example of how these technologies help personalize user experiences is through intelligent recommendations. By analyzing employee behavior, such as the types of tasks they complete, the documents they access, and the apps they use, ML algorithms can suggest relevant content, information, and tools that are unique to each user. This personalized approach helps employees work more efficiently and effectively by streamlining workflows and reducing the time spent searching for information.

Connect with our experts know more about Infince

Introduction

Employee engagement is a crucial factor in the success of any business, and Infince is a leading employee engagement platform designed to provide a centralized hub for communication, collaboration, and performance management, making it easier for organizations to improve employee engagement and achieve their goals.

IN THIS GUIDE

Infince is an employee engagement platform curated to keep you connected to your work and team from anywhere, at any time. With its mobile app, Infince makes it easy for you to stay connected and collaborate with your team, even if you’re working remotely or on the go. In this guide, you’ll understand the nitty-gritty of employee engagement software to the benefits of using Infince’s tools and resources, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how Infince can help your organization achieve its goals.

But, first things first!

What is an employee engagement platform?

An employee engagement platform is a tailor-made digital solution that enables organizations to improve the level of engagement and satisfaction among their employees. This platform comes equipped with a suite of features and tools designed to enhance the overall employee experience that includes communication resources, recognition, and reward systems, surveys, and pulse poll.

The goal of an employee engagement platform:

• Aimed at improving employee retention rates, boosting productivity, and reducing absenteeism.
• Foster better relationships between employees and their managers, 
• Provide employees a voice in the decision-making process.
• Help increase employee morale, reduce turnover, and improve overall business performance
• Businesses can establish a culture of openness and transparency, leading to higher levels of employee morale and job satisfaction.

Read more: Turning Employee Resignations to Employee Retention in Modern Workplace!

Unlock the benefits of Employee Engagement

Nearly one-third (32%) of US organizations have seen an increase in employee engagement as a result of their engagement initiatives. Employee engagement initiatives have been found to lead to a 2.5x increase in post-engagement performance, a 3.5x improvement in job satisfaction, and an impressive 25% reduction in absenteeism.

Additionally, 91% of employees who are engaged in the workplace report feeling a strong connection to their employer. With an employee engagement platform, organizations can empower their employee base and help them to develop the skills and competencies that will enable them to reach their full potential. Such platforms like Infince provide the necessary tools for fostering collaboration, engaging in team building, and improving communication and productivity in the workplace. 

By unlocking the benefits of employee engagement, US companies can expect to see improved morale, better job satisfaction, and improved productivity — all of which will contribute to an overall boost in performance.

Types of Employee Engagement Platforms

There are a wide variety of employee engagement platforms available, each designed to meet the specific needs of various organizations. Some of the most popular types of employee engagement platforms include

• Virtual Workspaces: Virtual workspaces allow employees to access their work from any location, helping to foster collaboration, reduce turnover, and increase productivity.

• Social Media Platforms: Social media platforms are used to build relationships, encourage engagement, and provide employees with a platform to share ideas and collaborate on projects.

• Knowledge Management Platforms: Knowledge management platforms are used to store, organize, and share information among teams. This helps to improve communication, reduce redundancies, and create a better overall work environment.

By providing employees with the tools they need to succeed and fostering a positive work environment, an employee engagement platform like Infince can help to increase productivity, reduce turnover, and create an environment in which employees are highly motivated and engaged.

Top Benefits of Employee Engagement Platforms for Business Success

Employee engagement platforms are critical for businesses to remain successful in the modern workplace. By utilizing an effective platform, businesses can create a stronger sense of connection between employers and employees, facilitate collaboration, and promote a positive work environment. Furthermore, there are several tangible benefits of using employee engagement platforms, including improved morale, increased productivity, and better customer experience.

Here are the irresistible benefits you need to consider:

1. Communication Tools: Custom dashboards such as chat boards, video conferencing, and file sharing are essential features of any employee engagement platform. These tools allow for efficient communication between the employer and employees, enabling employees to quickly and easily ask questions, get feedback, and share resources.

2. Employee Feedback Mechanisms: Employee feedback mechanisms, such as surveys, polls, and employee reviews, are an important part of any employee engagement platform. These mechanisms provide employers with valuable insights into employee satisfaction, morale, and productivity, allowing them to make necessary adjustments to their business practices.

3. Performance Management: Performance management tools allow employers to track and evaluate employee performance. These tools enable employers to set objectives and goals, measure progress, and provide feedback to employees. According to a study by Gallup, companies with effective performance management systems have 24% higher profit margins than those without.

4. Recognition and Rewards Systems: Recognition and rewards systems are another essential feature of employee engagement platforms. These systems allow employers to recognize and reward employees for their efforts and accomplishments. According to the same study by Gallup, companies with effective recognition and rewards systems have 22% higher productivity than those without.

5. Gamification and Engagement Activities: Gamification and engagement activities can be used to foster team collaboration and encourage employees to participate in activities that benefit the company. Examples of gamification and engagement activities include team building activities, competitions, and virtual events.

6. Personalized Dashboards: Personalized dashboards are a great way to make the employee engagement platform more user-friendly by providing employees with a personalized view of their tasks and progress. Dashboards can be tailored to each individual employee, providing them with a better understanding of their own performance and that of their colleagues.

Read more: How Does The Intranet Contribute To Digital Employee Experience

Experience Seamless Collaboration with Infince: The Ultimate Remote Work Platform

In a remote work environment, it is especially important that employees feel engaged and motivated through a robust remote work platform. With the right strategies, an organization can create a culture where remote work is not only accepted but embraced.

According to US data from 2022, employee engagement is essential for organizational success. This is especially true in a remote work environment, where managers must take additional steps to ensure employee engagement. Companies have found that positive engagement strategies such as encouraging wellness, hosting virtual meetings, and fostering personal connections have helped to keep remote employees motivated and engaged. The best way to gauge employee engagement levels is to ask them directly about their work and passion levels.

Importance of Employee Engagement in Remote Work

The level of employee engagement has a direct relationship to an organisation’s performance. Engaged employees are more productive, which leads to greater earnings and higher customer satisfaction. Additionally, engaged employees are less likely to leave the organisation, leading to improved job security and less need for costly recruitment processes. Finally, engaged employees are more likely to be creative and come up with innovative solutions to business problems.

Benefits of a Remote Work Platform for Employee Engagement

A remote work platform can be a great tool for enhancing employee engagement. A platform can facilitate tasks such as setting up video calls, providing access to documents, and allowing collaboration over long distances. Additionally, a platform can also enable coworkers to stay in touch with one another, creating a sense of unity and connectedness.

Strategies for Enhancing Employee Engagement in Remote Work

Organisations should strive to create a culture of engagement, even in remote work environments. Here are a few strategies to help enhance engagement:

• Provide frequent feedback: Remote workers often feel disconnected from their teams. Providing regular feedback can help bridge this gap.

• Set clear expectations: It’s important to set expectations for tasks and deadlines. This will help employees stay focused and motivated.

• Encourage collaboration: Collaboration can help generate ideas and foster a team atmosphere, even when working remotely.

• Offer incentives: Incentives can help motivate employees and encourage them to do their best work.

By taking the right steps, organisations can create an engaging remote work environment that helps employees feel motivated, connected, and productive.

Bottom Line

Organizations today are more competitive than ever, so they need to rethink their strategies. In order to progress, organizations need to prioritize their employees’ wellbeing, and create an environment of engagement. If organizations fall short of creating engagement, employees are likely to switch jobs until they find a suitable workplace. To ensure that employees remain engaged, organizations must take proper measures.

Here is a quote by Annette Franz on employee engagement:

“Employee engagement cannot be a strategy because engagement comes from within the employee. It’s the emotional connection or commitment that an employee has to the organization that then causes the employee to want to put forth the additional effort to ensure the organization and the brand succeed.”

This quote is an important reminder that employee engagement is more than just a strategy; it’s something that comes from within the employee and is characterized by an emotional connection to the organization. This connection can then lead to greater levels of effort and dedication, resulting in a more successful organization and brand.

Recognition is a very important aspect of employee engagement. However, manual recognition can be time-consuming and lack transparency. To that end, organizations can take advantage with Infince, a rock-solid employee engagement platform that collects and records data in real-time to avoid disputes and inaccuracies.

Infince also recognizes employees immediately after they accomplish something to ensure that recognition efforts are effective. With its range of essential features and support for remote work, Infince makes it easier for organizations to improve employee engagement and achieve their goals.

Unprecedented changes over the last couple of years have dramatically changed the way we work. Combine this with amazing technological advancement and what we have is a rather welcome change – that of mushrooming digital workplace platforms. 

Encompassing all things that employees use to go about their everyday work and collaborative tasks, digital workplace platforms typically help manage internal communications, HR tasks, and other communication needs to ensure smooth functioning of a remote workforce. 

From instant messaging apps to high-end social networks, digital workplace platforms have been gaining popularity for all the right reasons. Key factors that drive this are the market availability of new tools, technologies that are advancing by the day, and employees’  demand for greater freedom and flexibility and of course employers’ goals to offer an improved employee experience. 

In this blog, you can discover how Infince’s unique pricing model sets it apart as a go-to digital workplace platform.

The Conventional Pricing Model for Digital Workplace Platforms 

Typically, a conventional pricing model works as a set standard price that is built keeping the average customer in mind, precluding potential custom needs of each customer. It is built with a one-size fits all approach that seeks to address market needs as a whole rather than unique needs of every customer. This makes it economical in terms of pricing as it does not particularly factor in specific buying circumstances of customers. A conventional pricing model for digital workplace platforms does not take into account dynamic price sensitivity, or product market segmentation. 

1. Lack of customizability: A traditional pricing model for digital workplace platforms can come in the way of flexibility. It takes a cookie-cutter approach to problem solving and does not cater to specific business needs of an organization. The guiding principle to remember while you set pricing for a digital workplace platform is to realize that it’s not for yourself, but for your target customers.

2. Not anchored in customer value: A traditional pricing model for digital workplace platforms ranks low on sophistication and therefore ignores important factors such as bundling and differentiation. Since remote work platforms need to be agile, flexible, and easy-to-set up, they need to be priced appropriately.

Read more: Is Remote Work Culture Hindering Your Company Productivity & Growth?

The Benefits of a Unique Pricing Model for Digital Workplace Platforms

1. Flexibility and cost-effectiveness: One of the essentials that you should look for in a digital workplace platform is its ability to be flexible. Competitive pricing that offers a trial version before a customer signs up for a remote work platform for a long period of time is helpful to understand fitment and purpose. This flexibility allows you to avoid lost sales due to high prices or missed opportunities due to low prices.

2. Scalability: Since it is based on real-time value, a unique pricing model helps companies scale up or down quickly as and when their needs change. This pricing strategy allows businesses to adapt very quickly to the changing demands of the business landscape without losing much in the process.

3. Improved ROI: Because of the personalized approach it takes to pricing, a unique pricing model for remote work platform helps increase profits by a significant margin. It is customer-focused and tailored to fit the wants and needs of your specific customer.

Use Cases of Unique Pricing Models for Digital Workplace Platforms

Unique pricing models particularly work for those companies that are looking to make their business operations more agile. Since it is guided by a usage-based model, a unique pricing model helps companies the liberty to pay according to how they prefer to use the remote work software. Some of the companies that have gone this route are tools and technologies. 

Working with a trusted IT services provider that has a unique pricing model helps ensure that end-to-end requirements are taken care of – from equipment maintenance and on-site configurations to training and support for your in-house team.

How to Choose a Digital Workplace Platform with a Unique Pricing Model

Criteria to consider when evaluating different digital workplace platforms: The most important criteria to remember while choosing a digital workplace platform is to see how it ranks on scalability and flexibility. Since modern day business needs are ever-evolving and growing, the digital workplace platform must have a server configuration that suits your business requirements and can be scaled up or down, per your business needs. Secondly, 

Tips for choosing the best platform for your business: Based on your unique needs and business challenges, it is important that you factor in the following parameters while opting for your remote work software’s pricing model.

• Cost-effectiveness
• Flexibility
• Scalability

Read more: Top 10 Digital Workplace Platforms Your Company Can Choose From

Conclusion

Choosing the right pricing strategy is important for a business to scale their IT resources up or down based on their needs, while keeping overhead costs at bay. Infince, along with customizable pricing options has features to effectively operate and progress in the digital era. Enabling data security, business continuity with private IT infrastructure, instant communication channels, productivity tools and more, Infince makes a perfect partner to stay ahead of the digital curve. Learn more about Infince today. Request a free demo!

Introduction

Are you struggling to retain top talent in your organization? You’re not alone. Resignations are rising, with many employees citing a lack of career growth and work-life balance as key factors in their decision to leave.

Since the great resignation In 2021, employees have started leaving their jobs at record rates. In September 2021 alone, 4.4 million people quit their jobs – a record high. This has shifted the focus of the organization to employee experience & retention.

In fact, According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, there has been an increase in employee dissatisfaction and resignations in recent years. 22% of employees who have left a job cited company culture as a key reason for leaving.

But what if there was a way to improve employee satisfaction and retention while increasing efficiency and productivity?

Enter the modern intranet and digital workplace!

The shift towards remote work has been a major driving force behind the adoption of modern intranets in recent years. One area that has seen significant growth due to the shift towards remote work is adopting remote workplace tools and employee intranet software.

A modern intranet and digital workplace can help control various workplace situations by providing centralized communication, collaboration, and access to information. This can help:

1. Streamline communication: Everyone is kept informed and up-to-date by having a centralized platform for all internal communication.
2. Increase collaboration: Teams can collaborate more effectively by sharing real-time documents, tasks, and ideas.
3. Improve efficiency: Automated processes and access to information from anywhere help employees make decisions faster and reduce downtime.
4. Foster a sense of community: A digital workplace provides a space for employees to connect, share ideas, and collaborate, promoting a sense of belonging and engagement.

A digital workplace and a modern intranet can help organizations improve productivity, reduce confusion and errors, and promote a positive work culture.

Read more: Is Remote Work Culture Hindering Your Company Productivity & Growth?

Disengaged Employees Impair the Advancement of Digital Workspaces

Dissatisfaction among employees can hold back from uncovering the full potential of work. A recent study by Gartner showed that nearly 60% of organizations believe that improving the employee experience is a top priority. When it’s highly impacted, it can lead to high turnover rates and a constant need to hire and train new employees. This can be costly and time-consuming, and it can also disrupt team cohesion and productivity. Various factors that lead to employee dissatisfaction at work:

• Work culture shift frustrations: Rapid changes in work culture and technology can confuse and overwhelm employees.
• Collaboration difficulties: With remote work becoming the norm, it can be challenging for teams to collaborate effectively and stay on the same page.
• Low transparency and limited access to data: Employees can feel disconnected and in the dark about key decisions and developments within the company without proper access to information.
• Not feeling valued: A lack of recognition and appreciation can lead to a demotivated and disengaged workforce.
• Lack of learning and development opportunities: Without access to training and development programs, employees may feel stuck in their careers and unable to grow and advance.

How does a modern intranet help tackle these issues?

A modern intranet can help tackle the issues contributing to employee dissatisfaction in several ways:

1. Improving Communication and Collaboration

A modern intranet provides a centralized platform for teams to communicate and collaborate effectively, regardless of location. Employees can stay connected and work together in real time with features like instant messaging, team chat rooms, and document collaboration tools. This helps to overcome the difficulties of remote work and improves overall collaboration.

2. Increasing Transparency and Access to Data

A modern intranet provides a single source of truth for all internal information and data. This can include company news, policy updates, project progress, and more. A employee intranet software can increase transparency and reduce confusion by giving employees access to this information. This can also help improve decision-making by giving employees access to the data they need to do their jobs effectively.

3. Providing Opportunities for Recognition and Appreciation

A employee intranet software can provide a platform for recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions. With features like employee profiles, achievement recognition, and peer-to-peer recognition programs, employees can feel valued and appreciated for their work. This can help foster a more positive work culture and improve employee morale.

4. Access to Learning and Development Resources

A employee intranet software can provide employees access to training and development programs, promoting career growth and development. This can include online courses, webinars, and other resources that employees can access at their own pace. By providing these opportunities, a modern intranet can help employees feel like they are continuously learning and growing in their careers, reducing frustration and dissatisfaction.

A  employee intranet software can help tackle the issues contributing to employee dissatisfaction by improving communication, collaboration, transparency, recognition, and access to learning and development resources. This can help organizations create a more positive and engaged workforce, improving productivity and success.

Read more: What is a Digital Workplace: A Complete Guide!

Choosing the Right Modern Intranet: Understanding the Differences and Key Features

A modern intranet is a digital workplace platform that provides centralized communication, collaboration, and access to information for an organization. It is designed to help employees stay connected, informed, and productive, regardless of location or device.

A traditional intranet, on the other hand, is often limited to simple file sharing and basic communication tools. It may not be designed for mobile use or include features like social collaboration, gamification, and personalized experiences.

When choosing a employee intranet software for your company, some key features to look for include:

1. Mobile-responsive design: The ability to access the intranet from any device, anywhere, at any time.
2. Collaboration tools: Features like instant messaging, team chat rooms, and document collaboration to help teams work together effectively.
3. Personalization: Employees can customize their intranet experience based on their roles, interests, and preferences.
4. Social features: The ability to share information, connect with colleagues and recognize and reward employee contributions.
5. Integrations: The ability to integrate with other tools and systems, such as HR systems, project management tools, and more.
6. Analytics and reporting: The ability to track usage and engagement, measure the impact of intranet initiatives, and make data-driven decisions.
7. User-friendly interface: A modern intranet should be easy to use and navigate, with a simple and intuitive design.

By considering these key features, you can ensure that you choose a modern intranet that meets your organization’s needs and supports a positive and productive work culture.

Conclusion

A modern intranet is a powerful tool for organizations to engage their workforce, drive collaboration, and improve operational efficiency. With the rise of remote work and the need for innovative solutions, upgrading your traditional intranet to a modern, collaborative platform that supports your employees and aligns with your organizational goals is essential.

Infince provides a comprehensive, modern intranet solution to support employee engagement, regardless of where they work. With features such as shareable dashboards, blogs, wikis, communication apps, and productivity tools, Infince is designed to transform employee communications across your organization. Whether your employees work together in-person or remotely, Infince ensures seamless communication, connection, and engagement, leading to better collaboration, productivity, and success for your organization.

Connect with our experts today or Request a Free Demo!

Is a Digital Workplace platform what your company needs to turn employee resignations into employee retention in today’s modern workplace? 

In today’s changing business environment, organizations must rank employee experience to improve retention rates and attract top talent. This involves creating a workplace culture that supports and values employees, providing opportunities for learning and development, and implementing processes and technologies that make it easier for employees to do their job. By strategizing employee experience in the modern workplace, organizations can improve employee retention, foster a more positive work culture, and drive business success. 

A study by Gallup shows that 48% of US employees are on a job hunt. One-third of new employees quit after about six months, according to statistics. It has been recognized that 44% of employees are stressed at work. It is vital for companies, both big and small, to focus on employee retention to maintain a stable and productive workforce. This can involve offering competitive salaries and benefits, providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement, and creating a positive and supportive work environment. 

By focusing on employee retention, companies can reduce the costs and disruptions associated with high levels of turnover and create a more positive and productive work culture.

Read more: Why Does Employee Well-being Matter in a Hybrid Work Model?

How employee experience contributes to employee retention

Research shows that in August 2022, attrition stood at 29% for the companies that put an end to working from home. In comparison, the companies that allowed remote work or hybrid work models saw only 19% attrition. According to Statista, 72% of people looking for a job believe that work-life balance is an essential factor to consider. 

Employees who do not have a work-life balance tend to burn out more quickly. Employees struggle to have a great work-life balance or even overall EX (employee experience), leading to rising employee resignations. On the other hand, for companies shifting to remote or hybrid models, tracking employee tasks and performances, providing regular training, maintaining transparency, developing trust & build a positive work environment are challenging. 

Here’s more to understanding how ineffective work environments can lead to dissatisfied employees, which can deeply impact the entire organization’s growth and performance.

1.  Lack of effective communication

The relationship between employer & employee is very fragile & can be only maintained via constant two-way communication. This makes employees feel more engaged, motivated & productive. To deliver a promising employee experience, organizations should focus on effective communication channels like video meetings, internal chats, conferences, etc.

2. Connected workplaces are turning imperative 

When employees are involved and connected, they feel valued and tend to be more productive. Maintaining transparency on project progress, sales performances, and other key metrics can help improve employee experience and strengthen their relationship with the company. Businesses can rely on custom dashboards to centralize & customize information to ensure everyone is working towards the same goals and objectives.

3. Ensuring employee well-being in hybrid work culture

When work culture is constantly changing, employees may feel uncertain about their roles and responsibilities, leading to confusion, frustration & decrease in productivity. Statistics show 46% of employees seek mental health benefits in a new job. Shifting to a digital workplace can help improve employee experience and work efficiency in hybrid and remote work cultures through seamless communication and build a culture of trust & focus with transparency.

4. Motivation & career alignment

Employees who feel supported and motivated are likelier to be engaged and motivated to do their best work. Creating a positive work culture and supporting employees’ professional growth can increase job satisfaction and retention. Offering regular training programs, mentorship, coaching, and career growth opportunities and creating supportive growth & learning environment can help employees feel valued and invested in work.

Read more: What is a Digital Workplace: A Complete Guide!

How a digital workplace contributes to improved employee experience

Digital workplaces improve connectivity, be it human-to-human, human-to-machines, or human-to-data. In today’s digital era, where work is impossible without tools, apps, and other technologies, digital workplaces ensure one can leverage them from anywhere, within any work culture. Moreover, maintaining transparency, tracking in real-time, and accessing information securely, get simpler with digital workplaces. For companies trying to stick to hybrid and remote work cultures, digital workplaces can make work collaboration and communication much smarter. Here’s more on how digital workplaces can help tackle workplace challenges and keep employees productive, motivated, and happy!

1. Improved work collaboration

In today’s digital era, you need more ways to stay connected and collaborate at work. A digital workplace, with multiple communication channels, chat facilities, and video conference options, enables employees to reach out faster to the right person, leaving no communication gaps that might hinder work or work relationships. Digital workplaces also come with a pool of productivity tools that allow employees to work together from different locations and track tasks in real-time so everyone stays on the same page at work. Improving work collaboration alone can help employees feel involved and valued at work and strengthen the employer-employee relationship.

2. Improved transparency 

The most effective way to make employees feel valued is by maintaining transparency. Keeping everyone on the same page on several matters of your project or company could get tricky, especially if employees work remotely. But digital workplaces that facilitate intuitive dashboards enable seamlessly keeping your selected employees informed on the respective projects, performance metrics, or company policies. This way, no employees would feel left out on important announcements or updated company targets and goals.

3. Keeping employees engaged

Keeping your staff engaged and motivated all the time is challenging. Along with company goals, most employees look forward to achieving personal career growth as well, the lack of which leads to resignation. With digital work platforms or workplaces, companies can seamlessly integrate training platforms to monitor employee performances and provide regular training to help staff feel encouraged and have clearly defined career paths. Such platforms and apps can also be leveraged to offer regular exercise or mind training programs for employees to keep them active, healthy, and stress-free, regardless of the work culture.

4. Bring your team together

With work cultures shifting rapidly, depending on tools and technologies at work has turned imperative. But when different employees work on separate tools and disparate systems, keeping everyone on your team together gets tricky! Digital workplaces not just bring people together but also tools and technology, enabling seamless integration and centralized management of productivity tools. What’s more effective than having one platform to store and centrally manage all the tools, tasks, and data of your entire team or company?

Read more: The Best Ways to Improve Your Digital Workplace Management

Is Infince the right Digital Workplace Platform for your company?

If your company is focused on achieving operational efficiency and growth through a dedicated and future-ready workforce, then Infince is your digital workplace platform! Infince makes it seamless to keep employees productive, motivated, skilled, and ready to tackle the changing workplace scenarios and challenges. Besides effective management, instant communication, enhanced work collaborations, and a pool of productivity tools, Infince is top-notch when it comes to data security and business transparency. Here’s a quick rundown of what makes Infince the ultimate digital workplace platform!

• A cloud-based, all-in-one digital workplace platform that allows you to manage multiple workflows effortlessly.
• Offers seamless  IT management from one place while ensuring the safety of data rendered.
• Custom dashboards to quickly keep track of important metrics.
• Application marketplace enabling seamless integration of third-party tools. 
• Free Guest User options.
• Business Phone System, keeping business contacts and communications smarter.
• Employee Directory, enabling everyone in your company to stay connected regardless of departments. 
• Secured and centrally managed IT Infrastructure.
• 24/7 customer support.

Besides the above-mentioned top features, Infince can make your brand instantly recognizable with white-label service. Establish boosted credibility and brand consistency with a custom domain, custom business email, custom branded software, personalized workplace solution, and more such white label services from Infince that will help provide your clients, customers, and employees an enhanced experience. 
So wait no more! Connect with our experts today, or request a Free Demo to learn more about Infince!