With more companies allowing employees to work remotely and using temporary office spaces, emails and phone calls are replacing many traditional face-to-face interactions. There are concerns that modern companies that heavily rely on distant communications may lose sight of the personal touch and suffer financially because of it. However, modern technology and changing attitudes are making it possible to enhance client relationships to a whole new level.
Here are five ways that remote and temporary workspace businesses can build personal rapport with clientele and maintain strong client relationships with through communication.
Harness the Power of Emerging Technology
Digital communications are a way of life these days, not just in business but in our personal and social lives as well. Technological developments in file sharing, face-to-face online chat, email systems, and archiving are making communications more efficient, productive, and streamlined.
Video chat with tools like Skype and Google Hangouts is a key way to make management, team members, and clients feel connected and communicating more effectively than by phone and email alone. One of the best parts of working outside a traditional office is not getting stuck in a rut. So, don’t be afraid to try new apps, software, and digital tools when they are released to see if they work better than your current system.
Maximize Shared Project Management Tools
Project management software helps remote companies log, track, monitor, schedule, budget, and report work being done. It helps workers communicate with team members and clients, but it also has the potential to transform work relationships by building confidence, motivation, and loyalty.
These tools are also a great way to promote transparency to let clients know what you’re doing and how they can be a part of it. Provide direct access to views in your project management tool to let clients see your progress and offer feedback. Not only could this save you time from making revisions down the road, but it can also enhance client confidence and keep business flowing smoothly.
Customer Service Software
If your business deals with many clients on any given day, customer service software can keep your team organized and communicating a unified message to your clients. Based on your industry and business goals, customized software can track incoming issues, resolved issues, hours worked, high priority matters, and client feedback.
When you’re not in the same office as your team every day, micromanaging tasks can be too time-consuming and counterproductive. Reports generated from the software can also be shared with clients to show progress and make decisions.
Embrace a Little Chit Chat
People who have been working remotely can start resemble robots after a while because this style of work requires quick and concise responses. But don’t forget that the people on the other end of the telephone or internet connection are exactly that…people.
By nature, we are social and emotional beings, and the best business relationships are built on collaboration and shared ideas. To build that level of trust, don’t be afraid to ask your clients how their weekend was or how they plan to celebrate an upcoming holiday, for example. Remote working relationships don’t mean that you can’t chat socially like you would in the breakroom in a traditional office. Slack and Hipchat are popular venues for filling gaps between emails and helping professionals get to know each other in a virtual space.
Establish a Virtual Office Space
But in certain circumstances, digital communication simply cannot replace face-to-face interactions. For those circumstances, consider a virtual office NYC. A virtual office space can create a positive local impression, professional corporate image, and enhance client communications without the unnecessary expense and hassle of a traditional office.
With options starting at just $50 per month, NYC Office Suites allows businesses to choose one-to-three desk private offices, two-to 25-person meeting room hours, live receptionist voice packages, website and social media virtual mail assistant profile addresses, and flexible workspace packages. Small, mid-sized, and large companies can utilize these part-time virtual office space services to enhance their communications and expand professional business operations with minimal outlay. Contact us to learn more about our Midtown Manhattan temporary and virtual office locations!