Workers Increasingly Comfortable Communicating Through Digital Channels
With the technology available to most businesses, employees can work closely with someone and never meet face to face. This has become the reality for many workers across the country, to the point where 40 percent of people have collaborated on a project with someone they have never met, according to a new study by TrackVia.
Email, text messaging, cloud servers and other new technology developments enable remote teams to communicate effectively. Most workers say that the use of mobile devices and other electronic technology has increased productivity in the workplace.
When it comes to increasing workplace productivity, it’s clear that tools like email and instant messaging help. Context also matters as people’s preference for communication appears to change based on what they’re doing.
-Charles Var, Vice President of Marketing for TrackVia
Not surprisingly, younger workers have been faster to notice the benefits of digital communication. Sixty-five percent of those aged 25 to 34 said the technology increased their productivity, compared to 52 percent of respondents 35 and older. These demands are also evident in the youngest generation of renters, who expect online service , fully functional technology support and communication via their preferred methods: laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Building managers are often adept at using smartphones to share information and address concerns. The Miami Herald noted that it is not the channel of communication that matters, but the consistent efforts to ensure all parties are on the same page and the timeliness of that communication. A single email often cannot convey complex issues accurately. Using multiple sources and touchpoints can keep team members and tenants from becoming confused.
Mobile technology has become an important part of most building managers’ operations, as it allows them to remain connected as they oversee work in various parts of the property. An effective Mobility Program should enable managers to track expenses, conduct inspections, update service requests, receive alerts, share photos and more from their smartphone. This technology can help keep maintenance workers on task, and tenants and owners in the loop about specific issues.
