Communication is intricate for business success. Your client relations, employee efficiency, and customer satisfaction all rely on simple communication. Ensuring effective, prompt, and clear communication is essential to any company. Can business communication software ensure streamlined communications?

Grammarly’s 2024 State of Business Communication report cites an interesting finding –  Miscommunication in the workplace costs US businesses an estimated $1.2 trillion every year. Let’s extrapolate from this statistic to imagine that an organization y loses $15,000 per employee annually due to poor communication. Multiply that across an organization, and the cost balloons to trillions. Now, let’s step back to think of an alternate scenario where the business masters the art of effective communication—there’s a strong likelihood of a productivity increase by 25%, potentially impacting employee satisfaction positively. 

In this blog, we drill down on what goes into effective business communication and how business communication software can positively impact your business’ bottomline. 

What is Business Communication?

57% of an employee’s workweek is spent communicating via meetings, emails, and chats, the stakes for effective business communication have never been higher. Email and face-to-face meetings make up a significant portion of the communication in today’s workplace. But we must remember there is more to business communication. We need to expand our knowledge of how we can use multiple communication tools to fit the needs of your business. Business communication is a significant part of driving profitability and efficacy in your operations. Implementing an ideal business communication software is essential for organizations to change their performance for the better.

The Positive RoI of Business Communication

For every dollar spent on improving internal communications, companies see an average return of $6.50. Let’s explore how:

• Video conferencing tools eliminate travel costs while improving meeting engagement by up to 65% when paired with visual aids.
• Project Management tools can drive enhanced clarity, reducing missed deadlines caused by poor communication—a problem cited by over 42% of leaders.

How Does Business Communication Differ from Business Communication Services?

Business communication means the process of exchanging information within a workplace setting. This can be in the form of emails, instant messages, business meetings, and so on. Business communication services are the tools that businesses typically leverage to make business communication simple and streamlined. Aspects related to strategy meetings, client presentations, or internal memos are all that come in the ambit of business communication. 

On the other hand, business communication services are the technological infrastructure that supports these exchanges—tools like VoIP systems and project management tools that streamline collaboration and messaging.

What Are the Steps to Set Up Your Business Communication Process?

Although there is no cookie-cutter approach to nailing the right set of steps, it is always a good idea to keep the foundation right. Here are some foundational aspects to consider: 

Audit your communication processes: Identify inefficiencies in how information flows internally and externally before investing in tools.

Invest in integrated platforms: Robust business communication software like InfinCE can reduce tool-switching and streamline communications and workflows.

Measure impact: Use KPIs such as time-to-decision metrics or customer satisfaction scores to evaluate the ROI of your communication strategies.

Foster a culture of transparency: Encourage open dialogue through town halls or anonymous feedback channels—companies with transparent cultures report employee engagement levels that are 2x higher than their peers (HBR).

What Are the Different Business Communication Channels?

Instant messaging: You ask any remote worker what eases their work lives today? Boom comes the answer; instant messaging tools or chat services as they enhance collaboration and drive real-time communication. They are crucial for immediate responses and informal discussions, helping to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. A robust business communication software facilitates instant chats.

Video conferencing: As remote and hybrid workplaces become commonplace, and we become increasingly geographically dispersed, video conferencing tools are essential. They allow teams to collaborate in real time and enable alignment among teams.

Email: Even as other ancillary tools emerge, email continues to remain as a primary mode of communication within organisations today. It offers a formal channel of communication, providing a documented record of interactions. It is well-suited for detailed reports, client communications, and asynchronous exchanges.

Collaboration tools: Collaboration or business communication system offers a consolidated suite of tools that package several important communication features into a single comprehensive system. Be it task optimisation, resource allocation, real-time collaboration, or project delivery – all rolled into one.

Conclusion

While optimizing workflows and streamlining processes is just the tip of the iceberg, business communication sets your business up for success through  improved employee engagement and enhanced workplace productivity. 
Businesses that prioritize communication through business communication software will not only save costs but also unlock unprecedented levels of productivity and innovation. As Watson Wyatt’s research shows, companies with effective communication achieve a 47% higher return to shareholders over five years—a compelling case for immediate action. The question isn’t whether you should invest in business communication, it’s whether you can afford not to!

Test drive InfinCE today. Start your free trial now!

While organizations continue to navigate the complexities of remote work and digital transformation, choosing a scalable yet affordable intranet solution is like walking on a tightrope. Platforms like Office 365 and Google Workspace are often the go-to solutions for mid-size to large-scale organizations. However, the missing piece is, are they actually delivering for the costs incurred? Should your company consider an Office 365 alternative?

Falling back entirely on these giants can also create a significant dependency that may hinder innovation and adaptability. For instance, Microsoft Teams has a cap of 200 channels per team, which can be restrictive for organizations managing complex projects. Other tools, such as G Suite, come with integration challenges leaving teams scrambling for workarounds that disrupt workflows rather than enhance them.

In this blog, let’s examine five reasons why organizations need to consider an Office 365 alternative, even as they evolve to keep pace with dynamic customer demands.

1. Cost-Effectiveness

One of Office 365’s most significant shortcomings is its pricing structure. While initially cost-efficient, the fixed pricing plans can quickly become burdensome as businesses scale or require additional features. For example, companies often pay for user licenses and features they don’t fully utilize, leading to inflated operational costs. Can an alternative to Office 365 bring in a solution?

InfinCE, an Office 365 alternative, operates on a pay-as-you-use model, allowing businesses to only pay for the features they need. Starting at just $5 per user per month, this pricing structure offers remarkable flexibility, enabling organizations to manage their budgets more effectively. As your business grows or your needs change, you won’t be stuck with unnecessary expenses, an attractive prospect for businesses looking to maximize their return on investment.

2. Customization and Flexibility

Office 365 is a tad limiting as it does not offer extensive customization options. Built with a cookie-cutter approach, it does not exactly cater to every organization’s unique business and process workflows. This can lead employees using it to a rabbit hole of frustration, especially for well-established teams that struggle to adapt their processes to retrofit the rigid structure of the application.

InfinCE, on the other hand, offers customizable dashboards that allow users to tailor their digital environment according to their utilities and needs. Businesses can choose from various tools—collaboration boards, file-sharing options, and task management features—to create a workspace that aligns perfectly with their roles and workflows. This level of customization not only enhances productivity but also boosts user satisfaction, as employees can work in a way that suits them best.

Read more: How Intranets Solve Workplace Challenges

3. Enhanced Security

Data security is a serious priority for primarily digital organizations, given the increasing occurrence of data breaches and compliance incidents. Is there an alternative to Office 365 that can guarantee better data security and safety? 

Of course, there is! For businesses prioritizing confidentiality and data ownership, InfinCE, a new-age enterprise cloud suite, addresses related concerns head-on by offering dedicated private servers that ensure sensitive business information is protected from potential breaches associated with public cloud providers. The platform guarantees full data privacy and ownership, allowing businesses to focus on operations without worrying about data leaks or compliance issues.

4. Seamless Collaboration

Remote work thrives on the power of seamless collaboration. Office 365 is built with several collaboration tools. However, the tools do not typically operate in a unifying manner, leaving many users challenged and frustrated. This can hinder effective communication and slow down project progress.

In contrast, InfinCE Digital Workplace Solution offers a well-thought-through framework of collaboration tools to enhance teamwork for the remote and hybrid workforce. Features like video conferencing, real-time notifications, and integrated task management allow teams to collaborate seamlessly, regardless of location. This granular level of integration helps drive productivity by enabling expedited decision-making and enhanced project outcomes.

5. Simplified User Experience

One common complaint about Office 365 is its complexity. With an extensive feature set that can overwhelm users, smaller companies may find it particularly daunting to navigate through all the options available. This complexity can lead to confusion and inefficiency among employees who simply want to finish their work.

InfinCE, an Office 365 alternative, takes a different approach with its unified dashboard that simplifies navigation and usability. Employees can easily access the necessary tools without being overwhelmed by unnecessary features. This streamlined user experience is especially beneficial for smaller organizations looking for efficiency without the clutter. Also, InfinCE’s scalable nature allows businesses to adjust their features dynamically without the complexities associated with traditional licensing models. 

Whether you need to pivot quickly in response to changing market demands or internal requirements, InfinCE provides the flexibility necessary for growth without additional stress. Whether you need an Office 365 alternative depends on your company’s needs and analysis. However, keeping an alternative in hand can always save the day! 

Explore InfinCE today and discover unique opportunities to drive operational efficiency. Request a Free Demo today!

The shift to the cloud and its potential benefits are often underrated in the digital-first workplace. Of course, in recent times, the topic of enterprise cloud suites has moved from just water cooler discussions to becoming a critical part of boardroom discussions. 

Scratching beneath the surface, there is consensus among C-suite leaders that the cloud suite is not just another shiny tool. Well, the proof is in the pudding. 

A Gartner study reports that worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services will reach $678.8 billion in 2024, a spike from $563.6 billion in 2023.

A recent McKinsey survey reports that companies that moved their operations to the cloud experienced a 47% faster time to market. This is a game-changing benefit. How do enterprise cloud suites transform business operations to impact the bottom line?

For one, organizations adopting cloud suites open the horizon to many opportunities – automating workflows, integrating disparate software systems to drive improved collaboration, and enhancing communication and transparency within the organization.

This blog explores how an enterprise cloud suite helps organizations achieve more than operational efficiencies. 

1. Unified Operations for Optimized and Strategic Decision-Making

An enterprise cloud suite consolidates various operational systems—such as communication, project management, collaboration software, productivity tools, and more—into a single unified platform. That leaves employees with the free time to focus more specifically on their KRAs rather than dealing with multiple software that leaves data and communication silos. 

From a business benefit standpoint, this reduces the time spent on navigating and managing different tools, leading to improved decision-making and fewer instances of operational oversight. Studies show businesses using integrated cloud solutions see a 30% reduction in operational costs. InfinCE’s customizable dashboards provide a unified view of organizational goals and productivity metrics, helping remote teams stay aligned and focused. This capability is particularly valuable for organizations that must monitor performance and ensure accountability among distributed teams.

2. Driving Sustainable Growth and Innovation

While streamlining operations is only one function of an enterprise cloud suite’s capabilities, they are also critical growth facilitators. Cloud suites built for enterprises create an ecosystem where growth becomes sustainable. Your existing systems must not be overhauled; they must be integrated. Cloud solutions facilitate that integration, ensuring minimal disruption while amplifying efficiency. The result? A faster time to market, a more agile workforce, and measurable ROI that hits the bottom line in ways traditional methods can’t.

3. Enabling Cost Savings

According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, organizations can significantly reduce their IT budgets by minimizing costs associated with maintaining software and infrastructure. One of the most fundamental advantages of a cloud suite is significant cost savings. By allowing businesses to move from siloed capital expenditure models to a more flexible and scalable pay-as-you-go approach. Cloud suites built for enterprises also help businesses make financial sense. As businesses allocate their financial resources more strategically, they can bypass hefty upfront investments in hardware maintenance and software licensing. 

4. Offering Flexibility and Scalability 

A 2023 Buffer survey indicates a clear leaning toward remote working; 97% of workers prefer to continue working remotely, at least part-time, for the rest of their careers. This means flexibility is a big draw for employees in today’s gig economy. Enterprise cloud suites enable employees to access applications from any device with an internet connection, fostering collaboration and productivity. This accessibility breaks down geographical barriers, allowing organizations to build a globally distributed workforce. 

For example, InfinCE’s enterprise cloud solution is designed to empower employees by providing a comprehensive suite of tools that prioritize remote collaboration. With distinct collaboration features like video conferencing, instant messaging, collaboration apps, and critical project management tools, InfinCE enables teams to communicate and collaborate effectively regardless of their location.

5. Driving Enhanced Data Security

A report from the Cloud Security Alliance states that 64% of organizations cite security as their primary concern when adopting cloud services. Typically, cloud suites designed for enterprises with advanced security protocols, including end-to-end encryption and stringent access controls, can ensure that sensitive information remains confidential and is only accessible to authorized personnel.

InfinCE’s dedicated virtual server ensures that each customer’s data is isolated on its secure server, minimizing the risk of data exposure in multi-tenant environments.  InfinCE’s private IT infrastructure simplifies data backup and recovery processes. In the event of hardware failure or data loss, organizations can quickly restore their information, minimizing downtime and operational disruptions. Additional security features include advanced user access controls, allowing organizations to define who can access specific data and applications. This granular control enhances security by ensuring that only authorized users can view or manipulate sensitive information.

Conclusion

Enterprise cloud suites are instrumental in helping organizations reach higher-order goals. Whether it means optimizing operational efficiency or integrating disparate systems for improved workplace collaboration. At its core, a well-rounded cloud suite built for enterprises is designed to simplify and elevate your entire business operation, not just pieces of it. Each feature plays a key role in driving efficiency, integrating existing systems, and offering measurable returns on investment—all while positioning your company for sustained growth and innovation.

As an enterprise cloud suite trusted by organizations across verticals and of all sizes, InfinCE is proven to deliver measurable results. With InfinCE, organizations can expect significant returns on investment, including a 25% increase in productivity and a 40% faster time-to-market for new products and services. InfinCE empowers organizations to adapt and innovate in today’s digital-first landscape. With its comprehensive suite of tools, businesses can confidently navigate complexities and unlock their full potential.

Book a demo and discover how InfinCE can transform your organization into an efficient, collaborative, innovative powerhouse.