The Best Communication Tools for International Businesses
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There are a number of factors that can make doing business globally a challenge. If your company works with clients around the world, you’ll need to consider methods of communication that go beyond what you may be accustomed to using. Reaching global employees, contractors or other stakeholders can also be tricky if you’re not using the proper resources. Fortunately, technology is always advancing and there are a variety of tools to help overcome the challenges of modern global commerce. Read on to discover some of the best communication tools for international business.
Why Conventional Tools May Not Work
There are a number of reasons why the tools you’re used to using for business communication may not work as well internationally. Take phone calls, for instance. Communicating this way can be difficult due to various time zones. It’s difficult to find times that are convenient for both parties to connect. After all, most people don’t want to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to reach someone thousands of miles away. In addition, some areas of the world don’t have the most up-to-date telecommunication services, so residents of these areas may not have access to the telephone or they may need to pay for high-priced data plans. Email communication faces similar difficulties. Though this method doesn’t rely on real-time, replies can take quite a while due to differences in time zones. There are some tools that can work quite well for all sorts of global users when it comes to optimizing international business communications.
Social Media Messengers
Most global citizens have access to popular social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Whether it be on their smartphone or using a computer, people all around the world rely on social media. It’s becoming more commonplace in other countries to do business via private messaging on these sites. Talk to your international clients and colleagues to see if one of these methods might work well for them.
Apps
Various apps are becoming more popular around the world. WhatsApp comes to mind. Viber is another less-known app that is gaining traction for business use. It may be possible that one of these apps is what certain segments of your international stakeholders are using. Be open to giving it a try. These apps are no longer just for the younger generations. They’re widely used among a wide assortment of groups due to their ease of access and practicality. There are also lots of project management apps that can make working together across the globe easier.
Project management apps to consider include:
● Asana
● Basecamp
● Trello
● Slack
● Workzone
● Contractually
Each has its own particular uses and merits. You can review their websites to determine which, if any, may suit your business purposes. You will also want to be sure the ones that interest you can be easily accessed by your clients.
Video Conferencing
Web video conference platforms are being used everywhere. The rise of the coronavirus pandemic, in particular, ushered in a widespread need to bring people together remotely through video platforms. Such video conferencing is used extensively for a number of purposes. Schools from elementary to higher education are using these tools to hold classes. Cultural organizations are giving workshops and tours through such means. Individuals are hopping online to have video meetings with their friends and loved ones. They use video conference applications for chats, to play online games, and even to hold movie watch parties. It makes sense that a video conference platform would work well to bring business teams together to hold meetings and work together. Not only are such meetings practical and convenient. They also save money and time. Why pay for travel, accommodations, and food in order to meet in person when you can just hop online for a collaboration session? Whether it’s for a one-hour meeting or multi-day conference, video conferences can make your event happen.
Give these communication tools a try for your international business needs. You may need to engage in trial and error to see which works best for your needs, but such alternative resources can serve the needs of global commerce quite well.