Communications problems can cripple your business. When communications break down between your company’s team members or between your staff and customers, the result can be stalled workflow, misunderstandings and even lost workers and clients.
One root of companies’ communications crisis is reliance on outdated equipment. Here’s a look at current communications tools that can help you improve your construction company’s internal and external communications and boost your efficiency and your profits.
Unified Communications Platforms
Unified communications (UC) tools have been around for decades, but today’s best-in-class unified platform solutions offer an unprecedented level of sophistication and efficiency. Once centered around landline systems that integrated phone and fax features, today’s UC tools use a virtual platform that incorporates cutting-edge communications methods including VoIP, HD voice that eliminates background noise, video chat and conferencing and instant messaging.
Today’s leading unified communications platforms also incorporate cloud contact center features that can improve your external customer communication as well as your internal communication. A cloud contact center provides a single platform your service team can use to consolidate customer communications from all channels, providing your customers with a seamless omnichannel experience when tickets migrate from one channel to another. UC tools also integrate with customer relationship management apps, so your contact center team always has instant access to all the information they need to assist your customers and to take advantage of upsell opportunities.
Chatbots
Chatbots can automate the process of responding to online customer service inquiries from your website or apps such as Facebook Messenger. Chatbots can also recognize inquiries that need human assistance and direct them toward your available representatives in the order tickets are received.
Using chatbots allows you to be present to your customers 24/7 so that you don’t miss any potential business. At the same time, chatbots save time for your customers and your staff, boosting your customer satisfaction rate and saving you money on labor.
3-D VR and AR Presentation tools
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology provides construction companies with a powerful tool for presenting 3-D models of sites to clients and team members. You can use 3-D VR and AR models to present clients and contractors with realistic previews of proposed blueprints in order to get input and make modifications. Wearing VR headsets allows clients to experience an immersive view of what the proposed design would actually look and feel like, allowing for more persuasive sales presentations and better communication about desired specifications.
You can also collect 3-D images of projects as they develop by using technology such as mobile cameras and drones, helping you present clients with updates on project progress. This can also serve as a powerful tool for assembling time-lapse videos of project progress in order to create dramatic marketing presentations.
Unified communications platforms, chatbots and virtual augmented reality are some of today’s most useful communications tools for construction companies. Deploying these tools can streamline your internal efficiency, improve your customer communications and make your company more efficient and more profitable.
Roy Rasmussen, coauthor of "Publishing for Publicity," is a freelance writer who helps select clients write quality content to reach business and technology audiences. His clients have included Fortune 500 companies and bestselling authors. His most recent projects include books on cloud computing, small business management, sales, business coaching, social media marketing and career planning.
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