Evolution of Remote Workplace Tech: The Rising Demand for Communication Tools That Support Distributed Teams

The business landscape has evolved, driven by an increased demand for remote working across the globe. With many businesses adapting and improving their workplace technology post-COVID, the rise of distributed team models is swiftly becoming the norm. As a result, businesses are finding it necessary to re-evaluate their communication tools, some of which are no longer fit for purpose in a remote working age.

The need for employees to work together under one roof in order to be productive is gone. Tech stacks must be adapted to reflect this change, and quickly, or they risk becoming detrimental to business operations. The evolution of the working environment demands software and systems that allow employees to have greater flexibility to work from anywhere, at any time in addition to enabling the collaborative work and efficient communication of distributed teams.
 

Benefits of Distributed Teams

 
The prominent rise in remote working and distributed teams ought to be a win-win for both employees and businesses alike. Whilst this depends on the type of business, the approach could be a new-age solution to the desire for a better work-life balance that offers the least cost to businesses.

Allowing work in distributed teams provides far greater flexibility for both employers and employees if implemented correctly. Not only are they given greater control over when and how they work around core business hours, which may enable time outside of work to be planned and utilised in a more meaningful way that maximises employee wellbeing, their options of where they live are also expanded. Providing the ability to achieve and manage work-life balance will undoubtedly increase employee satisfaction, wellbeing and improve employee retention as well.

Another potential benefit to businesses of adopting a distributed teams model is being enriched with a globally diverse pool of talent. The abundance of talent can help achieve project-specific goals across different regions and time zones, removing geographic boundaries for the better and enabling better coverage of the company’s international environment. Access to a global talent pool also means more professionals to choose from for the hiring process, making it easier to find the right employee with the desired experience and skills.
 

A Modern Tech Stack for Modern Businesses

 
While the benefits of distributed teams are clear, implementing the right technology is essential to enabling this working model. For example; if businesses want to provide employees with the flexibility to work from anywhere, they might consider adopting a cloud-based phone system in place of the traditional desk phones that would have been used in an office.

If a business also wants to improve team efficiency and productivity alongside flexibility, then they should look to find cloud-based phone systems that fully integrate with other platforms and systems used in the business. It will be vital to ensure that the tech stack developed works together cohesively to manage all the potential scenarios throughout the working day and does not become a drain on company resources.

Cloud-based or remote-enabled communication tools in business are necessary for building a modern and future-proof tech stack. With the trend of distributed teams likely to continue, forward-thinking businesses can’t afford to overlook this kind of technology.
 

Final thoughts…

 
The workplace as we know it is becoming more employee-centric, and the growing success of the new distributed team model is an early indicator that this change could be here to stay. The business technology that supports this type of working environment is evolving rapidly and new opportunities to improve and adapt your tech stack will arise all the time.

The key thing to remember when considering your options is to ensure the technology matches your business needs and works well with your other systems. New, siloed tech is great in theory, but in practice can create more work than they actually support. Communication is the heart of all business operations, so if it’s not streamlined and seamless, then it is simply not working for your business.

Written by Damian Hanson, Co-Founder & Director at CircleLoop