This reduces uncertainty and increases the likelihood that your employees will use the resources available to them. But which tools are truly essential, and how to use their full capacity?

Microsoft Teams – What Is It?

Microsoft has always been a key player in the technical operations and productivity of businesses. It has established itself as a champion in business communication services with the launch of Teams and associated technologies. Microsoft Teams integrates seamlessly with other Office 365 products as well as a wide range of popular business apps from third-party developers (Google workspace, Cisco WebEx, Slack).

 As a consequence, you can easily integrate Teams into your existing operations. Customer records, for example, may be retrieved and discussed during conversations or meetings. The same may be said for operations, human resources, and other data.

Using Main Features

These are the key features of Microsoft Software:

1. Voice calls

Voice calls may be made using the cloud-based application. Users can make voice-over-IP calls to other users of the program. They can make, receive, and transfer calls between landlines and mobiles with ease. Many companies can help you improve call quality, in order to make your communication more efficient. Enterprise-grade call capabilities and voicemail service are among the other calling options.

2. Messaging chat

A chat-based workspace featuring persistent and threaded chats, as well as individual and group messaging. Messages may include GIFs and emoticons, the same as other texting apps. Users may also make video and voice calls in groups and one-on-one.

3. Online meetings

This tool improves business meetings, communication, and training by allowing up to 10,000 individuals to participate. People from both within and outside the company can participate in online meetings. A note app, in-meeting chatting, file uploading, and scheduling are all included in this function.

4. Video meetings

In addition to voice conversations, users may hold video meetings. The use of video conferencing has expanded as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic since most firms collaborate remotely. Recording, whiteboarding, customizable backdrops, breakout screens, and transcribing are all important elements of video meetings.

5. Screen sharing 

Although this is a common function, it is still highly important for organizations. During Teams audio or video sessions, participants may share their desktop displays and files in real-time.

6. File sharing

This is a fantastic feature of Teams that allows distant teams to create, save, modify, and share files within the program. Users may interact and co-author in real-time.

7. Webinars

Teams may host up to 1,000 people in interactive webinars and meetings. The webinar has host moderation tools, which disable the voice and video of attendees, as well as live user replies. Over 10,000 people can see the view-only stream.

8. External collaboration

Microsoft Teams allows users to invite others from outside the company to collaborate with them. The guest access function aids in the administration of business-to-business projects.

Why Should You Use It

Whether you own or work for a large corporation or a small business with clients across the county or state boundaries – or even international borders – the chances are that you will have to travel for work. Sadly, business travel can be costly both financially and in terms of productivity – and those expenses may skyrocket if planes are canceled, delayed, or redirected. 

Business travel has an impact on your company, but it also has an impact on your workers by exposing them to chronic jet lag, unsafe amounts of radiation, weakened immune systems, and disrupted family lives — all because you or your team wants to meet with a client.

Of course, some face-to-face meetings are necessary, but when they aren’t, this communication solution lets you see and hear the clients even if you’re thousands of miles distant. Yes, video conferencing may help you save money on the trip. It’s gone a long way in the ten years or so since it was first launched, and it might be a real game-changer for your company and clientele.

Teams facilitate cooperation by dividing the firm into multiple channels, teams, and collaboration techniques. MS Teams may be a productive place when you’re using it, and your email can be a relaxing area. Teamwork is essential to success in business, just as it is in sports, thus picking the correct communication software may make or break your company.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post How to Use Microsoft Software to Its Full Capacity in Business Communication appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Agents have an amazing amount of choice available to them, so you need to scope out the most suitable solutions that are also within budget.

With that in mind, here is a line-up of programs and platforms that will give real estate specialists a helping hand in a range of scenarios.

Social media marketing tools

Making the most of your social media channels to connect with clients and market your properties is important. Luckily it is possible to do this more effectively if you have the right software in your toolkit.

First you can turn to all-encompassing management platforms like Sprout Social and Hootsuite to do things like scheduling posts to go live on different sites and apps at the perfect time, as well as providing analytical insights into how well your content is performing.

Then you can make use of media creation tools like Canva to conjure up good-looking, professional content which is eminently sharable.

Lastly, with a solid CRM at your disposal, such as Zoho or Salesforce, your social media interactions can be combined with your other customer relationship management responsibilities more easily.

Commission calculators

A commission calculator for real estate agents is the best way to make an accurate assessment of how much money you will generate from a given property deal.

You can extrapolate commission earnings from the sales price of a home as a percentage, and also see what you will be left with after your brokerage has taken a cut, along with a host of other variables.

Being attuned to commission fees is the best way to ensure you receive a consistent income, and that you focus on the transactions that are likely to make you the most cash.

Scheduling tools

Most people who work in real estate have busy schedules, with lots of appointments to keep throughout the course of the average day.

Because of this, it is necessary to use the right software to organize your meetings, house viewings, conference calls and client get-togethers.

If you want to keep costs to a minimum, Google Calendar is a fully-featured, free option. It is also best if you are already a firm fan of Google’s other services, such as Drive for cloud storage and Gmail for email. Equivalents are available from Microsoft and Apple, so even if your allegiances lie elsewhere, top scheduling tools are within reach.

Communication tools

Contacting clients and keeping colleagues in the loop is a breeze so long as you have the right communication tools at your disposal.

For real estate, discrete instant messaging solutions like Slack can serve teams of agents well. Video calling services like Zoom and Skype are also worth investigating, especially if you conduct a lot of client meetings remotely.

It is also worth thinking about how communication can be used for marketing purposes. For example, email marketing campaigns run via platforms like MailChip are efficient and effective, with automation empowering realtors.

Virtual tour tools

Having pictures and video of a property available can help secure a sale without the need for an in-person viewing. However, you can take things even further with the help of software that creates virtual, three dimensional, interactive tours.

Platforms like Matterport have revolutionized real estate sales in recent years, and in most cases all you need is a smartphone to capture the necessary data, rather than having to hire out specialist equipment.

Lastly, the great thing about software tools like these is that they allow you to run a real estate business efficiently and inexpensively, without making compromises.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post 5 Key Online Tools for Real Estate Agents appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Communication is the key to connecting with others. Adept communicators foster trust, respect, confidence and empathy between themselves and others.

Every day, we have the opportunity to interact with people in different areas of life; in public, at work and at home, with colleagues and clients, with friends and family. Our ability to exchange ideas and opinions with other people, understand their thoughts and feelings, their point of view and solve problems depends on how effectively we’re able to communicate. All too often, though, poor communication leads to misunderstandings.

“Human beings are social beings. It’s inherent in us to want to communicate and connect with each other”

– Gill Hasson, Communication

In her latest book, Communication: How to Connect with Anyone, best-selling personal development author Gill Hasson explains how readers can better hone their skills and become an accomplished communicator. Using the techniques and methods outlined in the book, readers will learn to:

• Identify the issues that lead to miscommunication
• Interact with people who have different opinions, beliefs, and needs to them
• Make small talk and turn it into meaningful conversation
• Become a good listener and be able to ‘read between the lines’
• Persuade others and support them

An engaging, practical guide, Communication: How to Connect with Anyone will help readers learn to connect with others, build friendships, develop better relationships, and feel confident about communicating clearly and successfully in all aspects of life.

The Author

Gill Hasson is a careers coach with over 20 years’ experience in the areas of personal & career development. She is also a teacher for mental health organisations, and delivers training for adult education organizations, voluntary and business organizations and the public sector. She is the bestselling author of a number of books on personal wellbeing, including Mindfulness, Mindfulness Pocketbook, How To Deal With Difficult People, Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence Pocketbook, Overcoming Anxiety, Confidence Pocketbook, Positive Thinking, Positive Thinking Pocketbook, Declutter Your Life, Kindness, Productivity and Happiness.

• Communication: How to Connect with Anyone
• By Gill Hasson
• Out Now
• Published by Capstone
• Paperback Version: £10.99

Other Books

New Book: Total Rethink And Why Entrepreneurs Should Act Like Revolutionaries

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Communication: The Book That Shows How To Connect With Anyone appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Most businesses tend to work with a range of different suppliers and partners to ensure the successful running of their company. However, some supplier relationships go smoother than others. The decision to change is not one which should be taken lightly as it can lead to business disruption and confusion. But there are times in which it feels like you have no other choice. Here are just a few of the clear signs that it is time to switch supplier.

Unreliability

Right at the top of the list, if you cannot trust your supplier to deliver what they said they were going to whether this is a product like a caster or a service like accountancy, this presents a major problem for both you and them. Of course, if it is a one off thing which you believe will not happen again because there is a good reason for it, you may be able to continue your working relationship. It is when this starts happening on a consistent basis that you will have some serious cause for concern.

Lack of Competitiveness

You need to make sure that your business is run in a way which is cost effective and efficient, and if you find that your supplier is not competitive on price, this can present a major problem. Of course, you maybe able to negotiate a better deal with them to continue the relationship. And you don’t simply want to go for the cheapest option every time as they may not be able to provide the highest level of service. Otherwise, the problem could be caused because they have suddenly upped their prices but they don’t provide an adequate explanation why this is the case.

Poor Communication

If you keep sending out emails and leaving messages but they are not being answered, this can be annoying and problematic. And if this is happening on a consistent basis, it may be time to switch suppliers to one which can provide you with the responsiveness and level of communication which you are looking for.

Insularity

It can also be a problem if your suppliers seem very secretive about their operation and won’t let you in on their company. After all, you want to do business with people that you trust and this is very challenging if you find that your suppliers are acting in a way which is closed off. You may be better off finding a supplier that you feel more comfortable working alongside.

You need to make sure that you are always keeping your suppliers in check to ensure that they are not taking advantage of the relationship which you have built up. Any of the five reasons listed above can start ringing alarm bells, and you should certainly make sure that pay attention to them and treat them with seriousness. Otherwise, you could find that it is your company which is the one that ends up paying the price.

This is an article provided by our partners’ network. It might not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of our editorial team and management.

Contributed content

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Clear Signs to Change Your Suppliers appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

If there’s one thing that all businesses have in common, it’s that communication is one of the most important things to keep the business alive. Without communication, decisions can be made that can greatly affect the business. Alternatively, important tasks can accidentally be missed and in general, without effective communication you can find yourself running a sinking ship. So what’s the solution here? How can you make it so that everyone is communicating effectively? Take a look at how to keep communication flowing within your business.

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Create a handbook for staff and customers

One of the first things that people do when they need information is turn to the internet to find the answers. An effective solution for your staff and your customers alike would be to create a company handbook to put online for everyone to see. It might be an idea to have a copy in the workplace too for anyone to access when needed. Handbooks should contain company regulations, information about day to day running, and priority tasks for your staff to take on board. Not only will having that information available be useful for your staff, it can greatly help your business continue to run if you were ever absent.

Use apps to help you communicate

Everyone is using technology to help with everyday tasks these days because of how convenient it is. Consider using apps to help you communicate with your staff, especially if they’re out on the road rather than within your business premises. If you’re an oil company for example, you could use an app from greasebook that gives you oil field manager software, allowing you to keep in touch with drivers when it’s most crucial.

Implement social intranet software

Communication can be lost even when everyone is within the same premises, and sometimes within the same few offices. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider implementing social intranet software that will allow you and your staff members to send each other messages and reminders of tasks that need completing. Software like this often allows you to save conversations too, meaning that important information won’t be lost and your staff can effectively keep in touch about important tasks.

Check in on employees regularly

Finally, it’s important to check in on your employees as regularly as possible to see if there’s any issues that they are having. More often than not, you will find an issue that’s easily resolvable and everyone can continue with their day to day tasks.

It’s also important to ensure that you’ve always got an open door policy so that if your staff members do run into any issues, they can come to you about it and resolve it as quickly as possible.

Implement these ideas into your business and communication will remain where it should be!

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Communication Is Key: How To Keep Communication Flowing Within Your Business appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.