At first thought, the idea of adding an IM client to your company's computers might seem to invite problems; top concerns among most business owners is whether an IM client might actually reduce efficiency, or introduce security issues at the office.
However, many businesses today are finding business IM clients are not only not as bad an idea as they seem, but have actually helped affect the company's bottom line.
6 Benefits of Business IM Clients
- Business IMs Actually Increase Efficiency. Despite stigmas, as seen above, research between Ohio State University and the University of California actually show that businesses which embraced IM actually saw an increase in office productivity. The top reason cited was the ability to virtually drop in and out with a question to a higher up without leaving the desk.
- Protect Company Information. Concerned about security and keeping proprietary information within your own walls? Many business IM clients, also called enterprise IMs, offer keyword-sensitive features you or your IT department can use to track and monitor your employees' conversations. As a result, business IMs can actually stop leaked information before it starts.
- Provide Better Customer Service. These days, a business that doesn't execute good customer service likely won't stay in business long. From banks to libraries, many businesses are finding unlikely support from IM as a customer service tool.
- Gain Information Quickly. Just as employees have found efficiency in asking questions online, using IM as a widely-used communications tool can also mean faster information gathering with contacts outside the office, too. Case in point: Even newspaper reporters and other journalists are using business IMs to fact find quickly.
- Communicate in an Emergency. With the potential for cell phones and other devices to be knocked out during a crisis, either natural or manmade, businesses and even emergency services professionals have found IMs necessary to communicate during an emergency event.
- Reduce Conference Call Costs. In addition to adding measurable productivity, offices can reduce the costs of conference call services, including GotoMeeting or Webex, by signing in to a business IM client. Many, including AIM Pro, Brosix, and Yuuguu offer free conference call technology built right in to the client, meaning no need to purchase outside services or more hardware.
