As a business owner, you probably use instant messaging for business as a means of communication. It’s a quick and convenient way to send information and chat with one or more people. Though instant messaging platforms have made business communications more efficient, several pitfalls, such as low security and risk of employee abuse, offset the benefits.
The Advantages of Instant Messaging for Business
There are many reasons why instant messaging (IM) is one of the most preferred communication platforms next to email. Let us take a look at the wonderful benefits of IM enjoyed by companies.
Ease of Use
It is not difficult to understand how instant messaging works. Most people use instant messaging daily to talk to someone and have grown used to it.IM’s intuitive and simple design requires little technical skills, making them the perfect messaging tool in the workplace.
Simple Setup
All phones have a built-in messaging application available. Do you need to organize a meeting through IM? Just send a message in a group chat where all your employees are included, and they can attend without having to leave from where they may be.
Connect with your Employees Anywhere
Whether you need to relay information to someone in one corner of the office or another part of the globe, instant messaging can deliver your messages quickly. IM is especially paramount in remote or hybrid work setups, as you and your employees can share ideas easily.
Keeps Records
While phone and video calls offer more than instant messaging in terms of ease of communication, they often cannot be recorded unless you use third-party software or the application has a built-in feature. If you forgot to record the entire conversation, you mustask for that information again.
Fortunately, instant messaging keeps records of all your conversations, usually through archiving solutions provided by companies such as LeapXpert. You can review these records and ask an employee to resend previous documents anytime.
The Disadvantages of Instant Messaging for Business
While IM has proven to be an indispensable workplace tool, it also has its fair share of disadvantages. Take a look at the setbacks instant messaging may bring to your business if not used correctly.
Might Promote Productivity Problems
The accessibility and convenience offered by instant messaging are a double-edged sword. These are crucial to effective communication but might be subject to employee misuse. Instead of being busy with actual work, some staff may spend hours texting, gossiping, and wasting time.
Irresponsible IM usage and lack of proper supervision can lead to workplace productivity issues, affecting your business’s growth spurt.
Low Security
Instant messaging uses public networks to connect with others, meaning the information you share is prone to attacks and interception from hackers and other external parties. While some platforms like Signal and Telegram have end-to-end encryption for better security, most common IMs have weak safety protocols.
Efficiency in business communications is crucial, but so is responsibility. LeapXpert is a responsible business communications platform capable of reducing the risks of instant messaging. We keep track of all your company’s conversations and provide you with ways to archive them for future use.
