VoIP could aid flexible, healthy working life

Businesses are beginning to realise that simply working all hours of the day is not the best route towards maximum efficiency and potential returns.

While long days and no weekends might seem like an act of commitment, it can in fact be harmful as efficiency decreases and staff are left feeling like their efforts have little effect. Rasheed Ogunlaru, a life coach and speaker at rasaru.com, has told of his belief that there are better ways to create a successful business with happy employees.

The increasing use of mobile phones and tablets in the business environment is a trend that cannot be ignored, but rather than seeing it as a way to tie people down to 24/7 contact, firms could view it as an opportunity to give them more freedom.

After all, if staff are contactable on a mobile VoIP platform, it may be easier to allow them to work from home or in remote locations. In short, it will still be cheap and efficient to call them, while they will have the satisfaction of being able to carry out their responsibilities where and when it suits them.

"Shrewd employers realise you need a happy, healthy workforce. Perhaps you can look at more flexible shifts or working patterns, which provide the same cover, but without overly-stretching your staff," Mr Ogunlaru stated.

As well as improving employee morale, businesses will find the use of mobile VoIP is a cheap and efficient way of making calls, perhaps in comparison to running conversations over traditional telephone lines.

It certainly seems as though mobile VoIP is an option that many businesses are currently adopting or considering. Indeed, a recent report by Visiongain showed the market is likely to be worth $2.5 billion (£1.6 billion) at some point this year.

In order to keep up with the trend - and potentially improve their staff's happiness levels - firms should invest immediately.