In the 21st century, business is all about communication. It has never been easier for a handful of people with an idea for a product and a vision for success to set themselves up as a company, and this means the businesses that are proving most successful are those that are finding ways to communicate with clients and employees in the most streamlined and effective ways possible.

No area of the economy is seeing as much growth and evolution as communications, however, and it can be hard to stay on top of the latest developments. If you want to stay competitive in the coming year, here are three communication tools you should adopt as soon as possible:

  1. Next-Generation Teleconferencing

Anyone with experience working remotely knows the perils of the teleconference: tools like Skype and Google Chat offer an affordable alternative to long distance calling, but bad connections and poor quality cameras can make even the most carefully planned presentation seem amateurish.

Investing in a cutting-edge teleconferencing system requires some upfront expense, but it will also make it easier for employees work remotely. Clients and colleagues alike will be immediately notice the difference in quality, making your company seem more modern and professional.

  1. An Intuitive Intranet Network

For businesses of all sizes, intranet networks have become powerful tools for disseminating information, providing guidance for employees, and maintaining reliable communication channels. But not all intranet sites are created equal, and getting the most out of an intranet network means finding an intranet provider who can serve the needs of your business.

Intranet providers like SharePoint design their products with the assumption that the businesses they are serving have a dedicated IT staff who will be able to run it. In the case of smaller businesses that don’t have the staff or expertise to manage a complex intranet site, this can mean paying premium prices for intranet solutions that are unwieldy and ineffective.

Ensuring that you have an intranet site that is specifically designed around your industry’s needs, but which is also easy for non-IT specialists to operate is essential, which is why you should click here if you want your organization to start the new year with an intranet that will help you thrive in the modern economy.

  1. Board Portal Software

Just as intranet networks make it possible for the entire company to be networked through a secure, private website, board portal software helps boards of directors collaborate safely and effectively as they go about the important work of directing the organization’s future.

Portal software creates an online space where directors can read and annotate reports and other board documents, access archives, and work on board business remotely, eliminating the need for board documents to be couriered to directors across the country.

Not only does this allow boards to stay productive between meetings, it also provides a greater level of security. Portal software is protected by powerful encryption, so directors are able to keep sensitive board information confidential even when travelling abroad.

No business can succeed in the modern economy without having a superior capacity for communications. Starting the new year by investing in cutting-edge teleconferencing tools, a better intranet network, and board portal software are all excellent ways to ensure that your business can stay competitive in the months to come.