Colorado small-to mid-size companies are adding the highest number of jobs in the state, and, for that reason, are seeing more economic growth than ever before. With this increase, employers are also seeing a rise in business trips. In fact, according to the U.S. Travel Association, Americans make more than 405 million long-distance business trips per year.
Many employers expect their employees to be accessible whether in the office or out, and in order to make this an easier process for everyone, Comcast created a new service – Comcast Business Voice Mobility – that includes an easy-to-use mobile app so employees don’t miss a business call or message when away from the desk or traveling. The “anytime, anywhere” access is designed for employees whose jobs require them to work outside of an office but want to stay connected to their business phone line at all times, using a single phone number.
Comcast Business Voice Mobility provides an easy-to-use mobile app that enables our business customers to quickly check voicemails, make and receive calls, transfer calls and more. From the app, Comcast Business Voice Mobility delivers access to a range of calling features, including:
- Voicemail – Access business voicemail at any time using a smartphone.
- Be anywhere – Never miss a call by receiving business calls on a mobile phone or another phone out of the office. Outbound calls using “be anywhere” will show the office Caller ID.
- Move call – Seamlessly move in-process calls between your mobile phone and office phone.
- Transfer call – Transfer an active call to another telephone number or extension.
- Contacts – Have access to business contacts anytime, anywhere.
- Recents – Access recent calls that you may have missed when traveling.
- Do not disturb – Block incoming calls for privacy.
Furthermore, a recent Gallup survey found 37 percent of U.S. workers say they telecommute, which is four times greater than in 1995.
In Denver, with a hotbed of tech startups, creative workplaces and countless small businesses, it is important for business to ensure they have the right tools in place.
The Comcast Business Voice Mobility service is just one technology tool to help small and medium-sized businesses address our increasingly mobile workforce. When your team is working remotely, here are three tips to consider for ensuring a productive mobile workforce:
- Accessibility and Open Lines of Communication: When working remotely, it’s best to have a set schedule that works not just for you, but for colleagues as well. While you may be more productive in the morning or evening, it’s also important to be available to coworkers and managers during normal working hours. It’s also important to establish regular in-person meetings to ensure teams stay connected with each other and build off each other’s creativity.
- Eliminate distractions: No matter whether employees are working from home or on the road, minimizing distractions and clutter is important to maintaining productivity. For home offices, encourage employees to set up their work space away from high-traffic areas – barking pets can be a distraction for others on conference calls, not just the employee trying to make a presentation. For employees who are working remotely out of borrowed office space, ensure they have an orderly workspace outfitted with basic supplies like pens and paper.
- Maintain balance: When working remotely, sometimes the small things make a big difference. Don’t neglect to take breaks. Also, try not to log onto your computer the second you wake up in the morning. Take some time to yourself and seize the opportunity to get out of the house for a cup of coffee or a workout.
Shawn Adamson is the vice president of commercial business services for the Mountain West region of Comcast.
This was originally published in the Spring Issue of Business Altitude. Click here to read the full issue.