From the global pandemic that rocked the world to the emergence of the eerily named murder hornets, and everything in between, 2020 has been marked by calamity and devastation—a fact that is likely disputed by no one. What many people fail to recognize amid the chaos and fear, however, are the unintended benefits that have emerged. This year has also been a time of change, adaptability and resilience.

Everything we knew about traditional practices—be it in our personal or professional lives—was flipped on its side. Individuals and businesses alike were thrust into a new series of realities, whether they liked it or not. Some seemingly breezed through these unprecedented changes like they were little more than an inconvenience, while others continue to barely keep their heads above water. Why is this?

It comes down to adaptability.

One’s ability to adapt and conform to the changes we face collectively as a community can mean the difference between constant struggle and a thriving existence. But adaptability is not one-size-fits-all; it comes in many forms, depending on circumstances and needs.

The idea of adaptability became particularly pronounced during the outbreak, as business owners were forced to address an immediate need for efficient communication in the face of a remote workforce. While many areas of the country are loosening their restrictions on in-person work, the work-from-home model is likely here to stay. In order for businesses to keep operations running smoothly and continue on a growth trajectory, they must adapt to a new paradigm in communications.

We do not live in a world of carrier pigeons or letters, but rather one where human contact—
hearing a voice, seeing a face and forming “humanized” relationships—serves as a critical foundation for business growth. While the continued trend towards a predominantly remote workforce can impede our ability as a society to communicate effectively, businesses that embrace this shift and adapt their approach to accommodate a new way of communicating are better positioned for success.

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) Supports Business Continuity

The good news is we live in a digital era with technology abound. Had the pandemic hit 20 years ago, we’d have been much worse off. Today, we can rely on a myriad of technological advancements to support business continuity, particularly when it comes to communications technologies.

The COVID-forced remote workplace significantly impacted the way we communicate. If businesses were going to survive the shift, they’d need to embrace a new communications model. That’s when we began to see UCaaS take center stage.

Unified Communications brings together a variety of communications services (e.g., video conferencing, voice communications, enterprise telephony, instant messaging) in one seamless-to-use interface. When delivered as a service, these technologies can be easily accessed from any device by way of the cloud. The resulting flexibility allows businesses to very quickly adapt to changes in the business environment, like those we saw when the pandemic made its unwelcome appearance last March. The truth is, businesses with a UCaaS model already in place enjoyed a much more seamless transition than those that did not.

The ability to experience instant connections across multiple devices in a pay-as-you-go model results not only in more streamlined and enhanced communications, but also security, dependability and less downtime.

While adopting new technology can cause some degree of stress and uncertainty of the unknown, the short-term discomfort is worth the long-term benefit and prosperity. All it takes is an agile mindset, some forward thinking and a willingness to adapt.

Helping others adapt

The world came to a screeching halt and the economy is not flourishing the way we’d like. Sadly, these barriers are enough to stop many business professionals in their tracks. It is incumbent on you, the agile business owner, to focus not only on growing your business but also on helping those with more rigid mindsets cope with the barriers that arise during these times of trial. After all, your business provides services that help customers streamline, simplify and save money. Use this time to uplift and help others adapt to these challenges—and create trustworthy and healthy business relationships in the process.

If you are struggling to determine the value you can offer your clients during these times, or are having your own trouble conforming to the state of the world, please reach out—we are here to ensure everyone is growing, learning and helping each other.