{"id":3031,"date":"2017-03-02T18:03:54","date_gmt":"2017-03-03T02:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.poly.com\/?p=3031"},"modified":"2017-03-02T18:03:54","modified_gmt":"2017-03-03T02:03:54","slug":"chat-apps-sending-small-business-employees-customers-right-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.poly.com\/chat-apps-sending-small-business-employees-customers-right-message\/","title":{"rendered":"Chat apps are sending small business employees and customers the right message"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FlexibleWorking_Blackwire435\"<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t delete small business email accounts just yet, but it seems that a new generation of business chat software increasingly is finding its way into the workplace to aid communication. \u00a0With the trend toward more flexible and remote work options<\/a> to attract and retain employees; the adoption of chat apps boosts collaboration among small business team members wherever they are, even in the office. In addition to real time chat, the new tools make it easier to collaborate efficiently because they enable sending and receiving documents and even video conferencing, which should be aided by a noise-canceling headset<\/a> to eliminate background noise.<\/p>\n

Spiceworks, the IT pro community, recently surveyed<\/a> 450 IT professionals in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa to determine just how widespread is the use of collaborative chat apps and what are plans for adoption. \u00a0Survey findings indicate that chat apps such as Google Hangouts, Slack, and Skype for Business are on the rise with 42% of companies of all sizes taking advantage of them and more planning to adopt them in the future.<\/p>\n

Asked about the value of the chat apps, the majority of IT pros (51%) said they are critical to their organization\u2019s success. Most IT pros think these tools make the workforce more productive, Spiceworks reported. \u00a0In fact, only 22% of IT pros believe they distract users from getting their job done.<\/p>\n

IT pros did not discount the security risks posed by chat apps but the majority were not \u201chugely\u201d concerned, according to Spiceworks.\u00a0 Among respondents, 32% said the messaging apps put corporate data at greater risk from hacking. Nearly 60% do not recommend sharing files\/information via group chat apps. The bottom line is to be smart about using chat app services.<\/p>\n

Engage with customers<\/h4>\n

Chat apps also are having an impact on customer relationships. A study<\/a> by Nielsen, commissioned by Facebook last year, found that among people who message businesses:<\/p>\n