Best Corporate Communication Tools

Corporate Communication Tools Guide

Corporate communication tools are used by businesses to facilitate communication with team members, clients, customers, and other stakeholders. Corporate communication tools include email, instant messaging, project management software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, collaborative workspace tools, video conferencing services, enterprise social media platforms, and document sharing applications.

Email is the most basic corporate communication tool and can be used within an organization as well as between an organization and its external partners. In addition to exchanging messages via text-based emails, many companies now also use email for tasks such as file transfers by allowing users to attach documents or images in their emails. Instant messaging (IM) is another popular corporate communication tool which allows users to exchange short messages in real-time with colleagues who are online at the same time. It is often used for internal communications when a quick response is needed or to coordinate group activities such as team meetings.

Project management software helps teams plan projects and manage tasks more efficiently. These systems usually include features like task lists, deadlines and progress tracking options so that everyone involved in a project can stay up-to-date on its progress. Customer relationship management (CRM) systems allow businesses to store customer data such as contact information and shopping histories in order to provide better service and personalized experiences for customers. Additionally, these systems enable companies to measure customer satisfaction more accurately.

Collaborative workspace tools enable distributed teams to work together remotely while still staying connected. They typically feature virtual whiteboards where people can share ideas or collaborate on documents in real time from any location using any device; this helps reduce the need for physical meetings while still allowing teams to remain productive even when they’re not physically together. Video conferencing services are similar but are specifically designed for remote meetings over video instead of text-based collaboration; they often include features like screen sharing so that participants can take turns presenting ideas or showing off their work during virtual meetings without any geographical restrictions.

Finally there are enterprise social media platforms which allow companies to create private networks with restricted access only for their employees or select partners such as resellers or vendors; these networks make it easier for individuals within the company or outside it to communicate openly about topics that may be relevant or helpful for them professionally without having their conversations publicly exposed on public social media networks such as Facebook or Twitter. Document sharing applications give employees a secure way of transferring sensitive files among each other without having those documents become vulnerable through email attachments; they also facilitate collaboration on shared projects since several people can view the same document at once while making changes along the way if necessary.

In summary, corporate communication tools are invaluable for businesses of all sizes when it comes to internal collaboration and external customer support. They simplify the process of coordinating tasks, managing projects, and sharing critical information so that everyone involved can stay connected regardless of their physical location or device.

Features of Corporate Communication Tools

• Instant Messaging: Corporate communication tools provide the ability to quickly and easily message individuals or groups of people. Messages are sent in real-time and can include text, images, documents, and other files.
• Video Conferencing: Video conferencing allows colleagues to collaborate even if they’re located across the world. It enables face-to-face meetings with multiple participants in different locations at once, eliminating long distance travel expenses.
• Screen Sharing: Screen sharing is a great feature for collaboration and discussion among colleagues. It allows users to share their screen with others so that everyone can see what changes have been made or what presentation is being discussed.
• Polls & Surveys: Polls & surveys allow administrators to quickly get feedback from their team on different topics or projects. This ensures that everyone’s voice is heard when it comes to making decisions or delegating tasks.
• File Sharing: File sharing enables staff members to securely send large files back and forth within an organization. This feature makes it easy for individuals to quickly exchange images, documents, and other types of data that may be needed for work purposes.
• Team Chats & Discussions: Team chats provide a platform for coworkers to communicate as a team about projects or assignments without clogging up email inboxes with dozens of messages back and forth between people who are all working on the same task together.
• Calendar Synchronization: Corporate communication tools allow staff members to sync their calendars with the company’s, making it easier for colleagues to schedule meetings and stay on top of important deadlines.
• Notifications & Reminders: Notifications and reminders help keep employees up-to-date with the latest updates, policies, or changes in their organization. This ensures that everyone is always in the know about what’s happening at work.

Types of Corporate Communication Tools

• Email: One of the most popular corporate communication tools, email offers companies a convenient way to send and receive messages. It is typically used for short, formal communication between colleagues in different departments or external contacts such as customers and vendors.
• Instant Messaging (IM): IM allows for both synchronous and asynchronous communication with multiple users simultaneously. This makes it ideal for conducting group meetings, brainstorming sessions, and other collaborative activities.
• Web Conferencing: This tool enables remote personnel to connect via video in real time. Companies can use web conferencing to host meetings between multiple locations, provide employee training, offer customer service assistance, etc.
• Social Media: Through social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, businesses are able to communicate directly with their customers, share news about the company, show off their latest products or services, answer customer complaints quickly, etc.
• Intranet: An intranet is an internal network accessible only by authorized personnel within the organization. It’s a secure platform where employees can access information from enterprise applications such as databases or document management systems as well as collaborate on projects via forums or chat rooms.
• Project Management Software: Project management software helps organizations manage complex tasks and assign roles among team members easily. It also provides an up-to-date overview of project progress which is accessible to all stakeholders across departments within the organization.
• VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): VoIP allows users to make calls and send messages via the internet. This enables companies to reduce their telephone bills by making international and long-distance calls at a fraction of the cost.
• SMS (Short Message Service): SMS is a text-based communication tool that enables employees to quickly share information with other users in their organization. This makes it an effective tool for transmitting urgent messages or reaching out to field personnel who don’t have access to more sophisticated communication tools.

Benefits of Corporate Communication Tools

1. Increased Efficiency: Corporate communication tools, such as instant messaging and audio/video conferencing applications, allow employees to communicate quickly and easily with their colleagues. This eliminates the need for lengthy emails or phone calls, which can be time-consuming. Additionally, data can be shared quickly and securely, so everyone on a team is up to date on the latest information.
2. Improved Collaboration: By making it easier for people to connect with each other in real time, corporate communication tools help teams collaborate more effectively. Workers can hold virtual meetings, discuss ideas together in chat rooms and share files without ever having to leave their desks. This ensures that everyone is on the same page when it comes to project goals and deadlines.
3. Enhanced Productivity: Corporate communication tools make it possible for employees to focus on their tasks instead of wasting time waiting for responses from other team members. With fast access to colleagues via IM or video conferencing, projects move forward with less delay due to misunderstandings or miscommunications. This helps boost productivity levels overall.
4. Better Customer Service: Communication tools help businesses deliver superior customer service by giving customers access to fast response times from knowledgeable staff members. Customers no longer have wait long periods of time for questions or concerns to be addressed - they can get an answer almost instantly via a company’s internal communication network.
5. Increased Job Satisfaction: Corporate communication tools make it easier for workers in different locations or departments to stay connected with each other throughout the workday. This helps foster better working relationships between coworkers which often leads to increased job satisfaction among employees in the long run.

Who Uses Corporate Communication Tools?

• Employees: These are workers or staff members who are employed by the company and have access to corporate communication tools.
• Management: These include executives, senior management, and other decision-makers within the company who need access to corporate communication tools in order to make informed decisions.
• Business Partners: This refers to people from outside of the company who may be working with its employees on projects. They may need access to certain communication tools in order to collaborate with employees effectively.
• Vendors: Merchants, contractors, and suppliers that provide goods or services to the company often need access to corporate communication tools in order to coordinate orders and stay connected.
• Customers: Consumers, clients, and patrons all need some form of access to communicate with the company’s representatives in regards to products and services they utilize.
• Stakeholders: Major shareholders and investors require regular updates on the business operations of the organization which usually involve using communication tools such as email or conference calls.
• Journalists: Journalists often need access to corporate communication tools in order to gather information and ask questions related to the company’s activities.
• Government Agencies: Certain government entities may need access to the company’s communication tools in order to monitor their operations or inquiry about certain matters.
• Regulatory Bodies: These organizations require access to the company’s communication tools in order to ensure they are operating legally and complying with industry standards.

How Much Do Corporate Communication Tools Cost?

The cost of corporate communication tools varies greatly depending on the capabilities and features you require. Generally speaking, basic packages for corporate communication tools may include features such as group chat, video conferencing, screen sharing, file sharing and other collaboration-oriented features. These basic packages can range from free to $30 per user per month.

For more advanced packages that provide additional features such as secure messaging, automated workflows and mobile device management, pricing typically ranges from $10 - $20 per user per month. Additionally, many vendors also offer enterprise plans that include unlimited storage space, advanced analytics and customized branding options; these plans often start at around $50 or more per user per month.

Finally, some companies may choose to develop their own custom corporate communications tools using open source software or a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. Depending on the complexity and scale of the project, development costs can vary significantly but usually start at around $2 - $5K for a basic setup plus additional operational costs for ongoing maintenance and support.

What Integrates With Corporate Communication Tools?

Today, many types of software are available that can integrate with corporate communication tools. These include customer relationship management (CRM) applications, project management solutions, data analysis and visualization platforms, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and more. Each of these tools provides a suite of features that make it easier for businesses to manage their internal and external communications. For example, CRM applications provide automated customer service functions that allow businesses to quickly respond to client inquiries; project management solutions provide task tracking capabilities for efficient workflow and collaboration; data analysis and visualization platforms enable businesses to uncover trends in their customer base; and ERP systems offer comprehensive financial visibility across an organization. All of these types of software can be used to streamline the communication process within a business, making it easier for employees to stay connected and collaborate on projects effectively.

Corporate Communication Tool Trends

1. Cloud-Based Communication Tools: Companies are increasingly relying on cloud-based communication tools to help employees stay connected and collaborate with each other. These tools offer secure and reliable communication capabilities that allow for quick and easy sharing of files, documents, images, videos, and other data.
2. Mobile Device Support: More companies are supporting mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to facilitate remote working. This allows employees to access corporate communications from any location or device, improving efficiency and productivity.
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI can be used to automate certain tasks in the workplace such as customer service inquiries or internal workflow management, resulting in a more efficient use of resources and improved customer experience. Additionally, AI can be used to generate targeted content for specific audiences or to personalize customer service experiences.
4. Video Conferencing Software: Video conferencing allows colleagues to meet face-to-face without being physically present in the same room. This decreases costs related to travel while still allowing teams to work together efficiently across different office locations or time zones.
5. Unified Communications: Unified communications tools combine multiple types of communication into one platform for easier access and improved collaboration between different departments or teams within a company. The ability for all stakeholders within an organization to communicate easily makes it easier for everyone involved in a project or decision-making process to stay up-to-date on the latest developments quickly and efficiently.

How To Choose the Right Corporate Communication Tools

1. Identify business objectives: First, consider what specific goals you want to achieve through your corporate communications efforts. For example, do you want to increase transparency and collaboration among employees or improve customer engagement? Understanding these objectives will help you select the best tool.
2. Analyze target audience: Consider who should receive messages from the organization. This includes both internal and external stakeholders such as customers, suppliers, investors, and members of the media. Knowing your target audience helps in choosing the most appropriate channels for reaching them effectively.
3. Assess available resources: Evaluate existing resources such as budget, staff time, and technical capabilities to determine whether any special accommodations are needed when selecting a tool that fits within those constraints.
4. Research different options: Take some time to research different options including programs, mobile applications, web-based platforms, social media networks etc., that can provide desired functions at an acceptable cost with minimal effort required to learn how they work. Use the tools on this page to compare corporate communication tools by features, pricing, user reviews, functionality, operating system, integrations, and more.
5. Select the right tool(s): After reviewing all of your criteria – business objectives, target users/audience, existing resources – it’s time to make a final decision on which corporate communication tools best fit your needs now and into the future.