For small businesses such as micro-call centres, sales departments or other frontlines, headsets are an invaluable tool to keep employees connected.
Businesses with call-centric staff have been using headsets for many years – but are headsets about to become a small business must-have?
As VoIP, softphone and other integrated telephony tools grow increasingly common, small businesses are looking to integrate telecommunications functions and tools. As a result, the headset could become the next big thing.
Headsets as part of the telephony system
Many small businesses need employees to be free to move around different departments while remaining connected. They might have collaborative working spaces or shared environments in which they need to stay connected. Tools such as wireless headsets are convenient, flexible and mobile. Employees who remain at the same workstation can benefit as it provides privacy, while freeing up their hands to complete other tasks.
For small businesses such as micro-call centres, sales departments or other frontlines, headsets are an invaluable tool. These team members spend a significant part of their working day on the phone with customers or other partners, and headsets are essential to complete their job.
Health and safety
Extensive use of handsets can lead to repetitive strain injury (RSI) and physical discomfort. Medical experts recommend the use of headsets over handsets.
Research shows that headsets are actually better for your health. Employees who use headsets have on average 35% less muscle tension than employees who use traditional phones.
Technological compatibility and full range of features
As VoIP and softphone options excel, small businesses using traditional handsets are finding it harder to keep up with technological changes. Headset units are usually compatible with VoIP and softphone systems, and as long as you have the right software you can access the full suite of features available through your phone service. These might include video conferencing, voicemail, voice message, conferencing and call transfer capabilities.
Less hardware and installation
Using a headset as opposed to handheld phone systems could help your small business save on hardware purchases, installation and maintenance. With a softphone system, you can bypass the expensive hardware and access all features with the right software and a headset (though staff can still use a handset if they’d prefer).
Productivity
Some headset units support conference calls between multiple callers, while others include features such as accepting calls and checking voicemails while being away from the workstation. Some research suggests that headsets can lead to as much as a 40% improvement in productivity.
Collaboration
A headset allows employees to collaborate more effectively with others, whether they’re colleagues, clients or business partners. High-quality headsets offer superior sound quality and a professional experience for clients or business partners. Freeing up the hands supports better collaboration and higher productivity, both of which lead to improved co-working outcomes for small businesses.
Concentration
Open-plan offices and other novel office layouts designed to boost collaboration can lead to noisier working environments. Almost 70% of workers find office noise has a negative impact. Headsets allow staff members to quickly switch between independent and collaborative work. With special headsets that cancel out external noise, staff members can concentrate when doing independent work.
The future of headsets
The headset is an indispensable office tool and manufacturers are now promoting products that incorporate health features such as heart-rate monitors, noise-enhancement benefits, sound amplification and smart-hearing features. As headset use continues to evolve, it’s likely they’ll become an integral part of every small-business arsenal.
Aaron O’Keeffe, National Business Sales Manager, Aussiebroadband.com.au and Wideband.net.au
