Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has clearly become the preferred form of communication within the workplace. This digital protocol helps to boost marketing efforts, to ensure reliable client engagement, and to speak with stakeholders who may be located thousands of miles away.
This is why it only stands to reason that many articles have been dedicated to discussing the advantages of VoIP in terms of sales and marketing. However, it is critical to point out that human resources can likewise benefit from these systems. Let us, therefore, an example a handful of professional suggestions that can help to enhance levels of in-house accountability, transparency, and employee satisfaction.
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1. Taking the Guesswork Out of the Recruitment Process
VoIP systems can help to streamline how and when employees are hired. The main takeaway point here is that these networks can provide the ability to create virtual interviews and orientation sessions. In the past, only traditional recruitment methods such as trade fairs, open houses, and face-to-face appointments were possible. While arguably considered to be sufficient at the time, we now live within the digital age. Organizations that desire to tap into a much broader demographic can therefore utilize VoIP communications during the initial hiring stages. Furthermore, these very same systems are just as effective when tapping into a niche market. Geographic location is no longer an issue.
2. Benefits of the Onboarding Process
One of the main responsibilities which need to be addressed by human resources professionals is to supervise the onboarding process once a new employee has been hired. In order to retain this talented individual, a fair amount of hands-on communication is required. This primarily involves helping the worker in question to adapt to a new environment and ensuring that the transition is as streamlined as possible. VoIP systems offer a number of bespoke solutions that would simply not be feasible with outdated solutions. These include (but may not always be limited to):
- Remote video conferencing.
- The ability to host and/or participate in live webinars.
- Virtual training (particularly relevant for employees who may not be located within close proximity to the business).
- Sharing files such as manuals, how-to guides, and onboarding surveys..
Finally, it should be mentioned that employees can be encouraged to speak with one another via VoIP services to obtain support, to address team-related issues, and even to resolve in-house disputes. This will take some of the burdens off of the HR department; ideal when addressing other pressing concerns.
3. The Growing Need for Efficient Telecommunications
Many studies have confirmed the already well-known fact that a growing number of firms are encouraging employees to work remotely. There are several benefits that can be attributed to this approach:
- Telecommuting reduces in-house costs.
- Employees can enjoy a more satisfying work-life balance.
- Productivity tends to increase.
- Working hours are more flexible.
- Commuting no longer represents a limiting factor in terms of the hiring process.
The only real concern is that traditional communication methods are hardly sufficient in this case. This is once again why human resource specialists choose to implement VoIP solutions. The problem here is that remote management can be challenging without a more proactive technological approach. VoIP delivers in this sense. HR can monitor the status of employees within a real-time scenario and if a problem happens to arise (such as if a worker is not able to complete a project within the allotted time frame). other solutions can be found. These very same systems can likewise be utilized as a check-in service in order to ensure that employees are adhering to their contractual obligations.
Things to Consider When Choosing a VoIP Provider
While the advantages highlighted above are entirely clear, it can still be difficult to know which system to implement. As opposed to listing the top VoIP providers on the market, it is better to address a handful of questions to narrow down the available options. Examples include:
- How many employees will the system be required to handle?
- Are there any integration concerns with current legacy telephony systems?
- Is it possible to update the VoIP software as the needs of HR (and the business) change in the future?
- Are the associated costs worth the end results?
- What types of customer support solutions are offered?
Final Thoughts
Human resource management is without a doubt one of the most challenging professional fields and yet, this very same dynamism is extremely enticing. Therefore, knowing why VoIP systems represent a pivotal component of success is always important.
The good news is that VoIP providers tend to be quite flexible regarding the available options and payment packages that are available. It is nonetheless important to compare the top services in order to formulate an informed and objective decision.
Author Bio: This article was written by Seamus Dunne of Conversation Piece. Seamus has over two decades helping h.r professionals utilize VoIP.
