An agile team is “marked by ready ability to move with quick, easy grace; having a quick, resourceful and adaptable character.” Sounds good, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want their teams to be agile?

But creating a truly agile team is no simple feat. How do they behave? What qualities do they possess? In other words, what does an agile team really look like on a typical day? Of course, there are numerous communications habits that characterize agile teams. But some habits in particular can be enhanced with the right technology. Consider, for example, how hosted phone systems and solutions help teams collaborate, share ideas and get more done in their workday. Curious? Here are six communications habits of agile teams – and how technology enhances collaboration.

6 communications habits of agile teams

They’re Always Reachable.

You can’t be agile if you’re disconnected. A hosted collaboration and communications solution, such as MiCloud Connect with Mitel Teamwork, provides a single experience across devices and lets workers seamlessly move from one device to another. Team members are always “on” and thus more responsive. Agile employees work best when they have access to all communications features, even on their mobile devices, so they can keep working no matter where they are.

They Share Information In Real-Time.

Being quick and resourceful requires real-time communications. Hosted phone systems and solutions that mirror conversations across all devices in real time allow team members to keep their finger on the pulse of all projects and discussions. Single-click audio, video and web conferencing, in addition to individual and group chat, keep the lines of communication open at all times. No one feels “out of the loop.” The result? The team makes smart decisions based on the latest information and on a collaborative discussion that takes all viewpoints into account.

They Keep Team Members Informed.

Information is useless if it’s not shared with the right people in a timely manner. Persistent workspaces foster collaboration and allow users to chat, share files and even create tasks. Everyone has access to the information they need to do their jobs, and people know what they’re responsible for. The tasks performed by each team member complements those of their colleagues, with everyone working toward a well-understood solution. Of course, it’s not surprising that well-informed people accomplish more, since they don’t waste time searching for information or make decisions that have to be undone after the fact.

They’re Organized.

We dare you to find an agile team member who’s disorganized. Organization is a critical quality of responsive and adaptive teams. A robust hosted phone system such as MiCloud Connect makes it easy with task management and file sharing. Consolidate conversations and activities into one space for quick access to anything you need during the workday. Calendar and email integration take organization to a new level, keeping team members on top of events, client meetings and messages.

They’re Mobile.

In today’s world, agile and mobile go hand-in-hand. A communications solution is nothing if it doesn’t offer full mobile support. Features such as a mobile app for Android and iOS, Siri integration and Bluetooth support provide teammates the hands-free experience they need to stay connected without being tied down.

They Track Progress On Projects.

Agile teams reach the finish line faster by knowing exactly how far they’ve come and what they still need to do. A virtual workspace app such as Teamwork lets them know what activities still require attention. A personal dashboard makes it easy to see project status, propelling each team member toward their ultimate goal.

All you need is the right hosted phone system and solution

Ready for an agile team? All you need is the right communications technology. A hosted phone system and solution that provides innovative features and functionality can turn any team into a well-oiled machine whose information and ideas flow freely.

In addition to the system features mentioned above, other key items to look for in an agile-friendly system include:

• CRM integration, so your team has instant access to customer and client data.
• Flexible phone options, such as IP phones, softphones and a mobile app, so people can choose how they communicate.
• Ad-hoc audio and video conferencing to share information and get answers to questions quickly.
• Business SMS, so co-workers can text each other from their business lines.
• Shared contact lists with search functionality, so team members can reach out to the right people when questions or issues arise.

Be graceful. Be nimble. Be responsive. Be adaptable. Be agile. Arm your team with a hosted phone system that makes it easy to talk, chat and share ideas and information easily and quickly. Create an environment that makes collaboration a breeze and completing projects a snap. Make your team the best version of itself. Give them the tools they need to begin your transformation today.

A positive company culture is essential for reaching high levels of productivity and achieving successful business outcomes, experts say. And yet, as the workplace changes, it’s ever more challenging to build an engaging work environment. As a manager and business owner, you know jobs aren’t just 9 to 5 anymore, for you or your employees. Nor are roles limited by location. More and more of your workers do their jobs remotely today, whether by choice or necessity.

So how can today’s small and medium-sized business owner create a positive company culture — especially in a highly competitive marketplace – with fewer resources than big organizations?

Part of the answer lies in cloud-based technologies. Hosted phone systems, like MiCloud Connect, foster collaboration, productivity and a positive work environment. Collaborative workspaces and mobile communications bring your team together, no matter where everyone’s working.

Hosted Phone Systems Provide Flexibility

Gallup identified the growing trend of remote work in its most recent State of the American Workplace Report. The researcher found that between 2012 and 2016, the number of remote workers rose to 43 percent, from 39 percent – almost half the workforce! Add to this contract and gig workers, and you’ve got a very fluid dynamic.

In fact, Gallup reported that 29 percent of all U.S. workers have some kind of alternative work arrangement (such as remote working or flexible work hours) in their primary job and over a third (36 percent) participate in the gig economy. No wonder pulling together your team can feel a little like herding cats.

Flexibility Increases Retention And Reduces Costs

Today’s workers see flexibility as an essential ingredient of a positive organizational culture, so giving them flexibility in how and when they work can increase retention, Gallup discovered. When asked what would motivate them to switch jobs, over half of employees (51 percent) said they’d move for a position that provided flextime. Over a third (37 percent) would switch jobs for the ability to work remotely.

Flexible work arrangements aren’t just about pleasing employees. They can offer companies significant cost savings, too. When you don’t need a desk for every employee, for instance, you don’t need to lease as much physical space. With a cloud-based communications system, you also save money on hardware and software upgrades. Your remote workers can connect to the team via any device, like their own mobile or laptop. And software is kept current by the vendor, so you don’t have to worry about updates.

But because of these changing work arrangements, team members today communicate more through email, instant messaging and conference calls, all of which have weaknesses. Important information gets lost in a thread of emails. Files aren’t easily accessible to all team members. Redundant or confusing technologies make conference calling a major headache. A hosted phone system is one way to help employees working virtually communicate easily with colleagues in the office, as well as with clients.

A Culture Of Collaboration

In order to get the most productivity and employee engagement from today’s workforce, leaders need to foster a collaborative culture. Here are some tips.

1. 1. Provide effective collaboration technology. A hosted phone system enables team members to easily communicate and share essential information. For example, they can share documents in a central location that everyone can access – when they’re off-site. They can schedule and initiate audio and video conference calls at a click of a button, using mobile-first technology so remote team members can easily join in. And, they can share their screen during calls so everyone is literally on the same page.
   2. Model the behavior you want to see. To create a collaborative environment that brings out the best in all your workers, you need to model the open, supportive behavior you want to see in your team. Be receptive to different ideas and make sure everyone has a chance to contribute. Perhaps it shouldn’t need to be said, but be sure to use the collaboration technology yourself. Show them how it can support productive communications.
   3. Make time for face time. Even though many employees like working virtually, good managers know that face-to-face interaction is always important. Daily or weekly video calls, one-on-ones and off-site team meetings keep the communication channels open. Gallup found that optimal engagement occurs when workers spend three to four days working off-site and one to two days in the office with colleagues.
   4. Cut down on meeting time. Workers today often complain of too many meetings, which leaves them without enough time to get their work done. A team leader who really wants to create a positive, collaborative culture knows meetings aren’t always the best way to achieve results. With a hosted phone system, you can actually cut down on meeting time. Using a central shared platform on the cloud, team members can track progress, assign tasks, communicate asynchronously through messaging and email, initiate calls and share documents, all within a single application. No matter where they are geographically or in which time zone, no matter the device they’re using, colleagues can communicate more effectively with the right communications technology.

How To Choose A Hosted Phone System

Technology can be fun. It can also be maddening. Too often companies get lured in by the latest free app, then by the next one and the next one. Before you know it, your layers of technology are making work harder, not easier.

When choosing communications technology to foster a collaborative culture, choose a system that is:

• Simple. Choose a one-step, cloud-based communications solution like MiCloud Connect that provides intuitive, easy-to-use tools.
• Mobile-first. Workers need to connect no matter the device or location. That means many employees will communicate via mobile – even if they’re in the office. Choose a solution that works seamlessly on any device.
• Robust. Your employees might share a common corporate culture, but everyone has their own way of getting things done. Some teams work best with a shared workspace, while others are more productive during scheduled video conferences. With a hosted phone system, you can accommodate every style and need.
• Flexible. Be sure your communications vendor offers a variety of pricing options that fit your company’s budget.

A hosted phone system like MiCloud Connect can provide the tools your growing company needs to create a positive and healthy culture while still making the best use of your limited resources.

Originally published on syn-apps.com

To ensure you’re prepared for an emergency of any kind, consider these tips for evaluating a mass notification system.

Mass notification systems serve as the “communication engine” that unites disparate technology into a single platform used to rapidly relay information, a critical component of school safety initiatives.

Finding a trusted mass notification system provider with technology that adapts to your evolving needs is crucial. Schools should choose a provider that offers a simple and reliable notification experience ― one that’s compatible with multiple systems and services, and can provide multi-channel communications to the right people at the right time.

Here are some key tips for schools to consider when evaluating mass notification systems:

Understand Your Technology & Mass Notification Needs

Reviewing and testing existing systems and processes helps clarify mass notification needs and identify potential communications gaps. For example, activating a district-wide notification may be challenging if buildings are equipped with different systems. Notification software can help schools overcome this by connecting disparate systems.

Unite IP and analog systems – Advanced notification systems should be scalable to unite existing analog technology, like speakers and intercoms, into the IP network. This streamlines notification management and extends the life of legacy systems.

Broadcast quality audio to ensure alerts are heard – Intelligible audio is critical when communicating information to speakers in noisy areas, like classrooms, gymnasiums and packed hallways.

Know Your Audience

Whether broadcasting daily announcements, paging faculty or initiating a district lockdown, schools need a system that supports dynamic notifications for various situations. It’s also important to understand which communication mediums are most effective to reach your intended audience.

Activating a panic button to alert safety officers during a classroom emergency may require a more discrete communication process than broadcasting daily announcements across classroom speakers. Robust notification systems should be scalable to simultaneously alert devices, such as:

On-premise communication – IP phones and speakers, intercoms, analog devices, bells/beacons/strobes, desktop computers, panic buttons and digital signage

Off-premise communication – Mobile phones, SMS messages, IM clients, email, text-to-speech services and social networks

Automated Alerts Save Time And Resources

Automation increases safety and situational awareness by eliminating the need for a person to manually activate alerts. Automated alerts are especially beneficial during emergencies when every second can make a difference. Examples of automated mass notifications include:

Scheduled notifications – For routine communication, like daily announcements or school bells

Automated weather alerts – Connect with government agencies that send weather alerts to receive automatic notifications for severe watches and warnings in your area

One-touch activation – Connect panic buttons to automatically initiate emergency procedures for situations like lockdowns and building evacuations

Email monitoring – Alert personnel when incoming emails match specific filters, like email addresses or keywords

Select a robust mass notification system that embraces the mobile-first world to keep everyone informed and connected, no matter their location. Leverage two-way messaging, multimedia push notifications, geofencing support and more to go beyond on-site only and provide information in both emergency and non-emergency situations.