Investing in audio makes business sense

Audio quality has become the new priority for global businesses since the move to remote working, and organisations see it as key to maintaining client, employee and partner communication

Hybrid working has been tried and tested this year as workers globally migrated home due to COVID-19.

Remote working has proven successful with organisations. They have witnessed first-hand the benefits while providing an opportunity to assess what tech solutions are available to ensure continuity.

Touching base with employees virtually has become central to this. Ensuring effective communication between employees and clients has become a necessity.

Pre-pandemic, 95 per cent of workers experienced daily issues with audio, resulting in end-users losing 29 minutes weekly due to poor quality calls.

As we’ve become more reliant on tech, poor audio has threatened to have a detrimental impact on business productivity and output.

Our new research reveals audio quality has become the new priority for businesses globally, viewing it as a non-negotiable for performance and success.

Decision makers are harnessing collaboration tools to save time and spend, with 45 per cent naming time savings and 41 per cent citing cost savings as two of the most important reasons for using video meetings or calls.

Understanding the power of audio

Now organisations have acclimatised, audio issues should be minor. For them to be a problem of the past, employers must equip their workforce with solutions to work effectively.

Effective call quality delivers better customer service and stronger collaboration. Our research shows that 56 per cent of global decision makers believe high quality audio is essential to their business.

Audio quality is becoming so important that 78 per cent of those surveyed are willing to pay extra for it. This is especially true for those in Sales and Marketing (56 per cent) where it is viewed as integral to maintaining client communication and business performance.

Business leaders must decide which audio solutions will yield greater results and create a digital culture where employees thrive.

Despite this recognition, a clear opportunity for education has emerged – businesses do not have extensive knowledge of the audio solutions accessible to them. Many companies are yet to realise the benefits. It not only enhances performance, but with 35 per cent of respondents previously reporting feeling frustrated or annoyed by bad audio experiences, good quality audio goes a long way to improve employee wellbeing, which has become a key differentiator for job seekers.

Future proofing for 2021

Companies must invest in premium audio solutions – choosing the cheapest, most convenient option does not make business sense in the long run.

Picking progressive tools that have active noise cancellation or artificial intelligence for enhanced voice pickup will help employees feel more connected, which is particularly important in the current climate.

With Generation Z’s representation in the global workforce set to pass 1 billion by 2030, companies also need to understand this demographic’s motivations and ways of working.

Organisations that can offer flexible experiences and well-connected technology solutions will find themselves positioned to attract and retain top talent.

As we plan ahead, one thing is for certain – the future of the workplace will be hybrid, integrating technology with face-to-face meetings. For this to be successful, maintaining a seamless and hassle-free employee experience will be key.

Business leaders are starting to recognise the importance of audio excellence and tools for seamless collaboration, with 95 per cent of decision makers planning to invest over the next few years. To ensure employees get the most out of their workplace, business leaders must act as champions of change and invest in sound solutions that help to dismantle obstacles.

Read more about the hybrid workplace at eposaudio.com.

by Jane Craven, Sales Director UK & Ireland, EPOS