Communication within a company is key to an effective and successful digital workplace. Internal communication is instrumental in ensuring smooth sailing within a business. This communication can take place in a variety of ways including video calls, instant messaging, voice calls, etc. Today there are multiple different platforms to choose from when implementing a communication platform into a company; with different platforms catering to different needs. In this article, we will look into what key components make up a good communication platform and how they service different company needs.

To start let's look into the most popular business communication platforms and what services they provide. The most well-known and utilized platforms by various businesses are Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack. Google Meet and Zoom are most utilized by companies who are looking for video communication services; while Microsoft Teams and Slack target those looking for instant messaging within the business. It is important to select the right platform to avoid poor communication.

This right platform for a company will improve efficiency, productivity, and accessibility. Platforms should be user-friendly, and reliable, provide a range of features, and be able to mesh well with existing company practices and tools. The goal is to build strong internal and/or external communication to promote collaboration, organization and build professional relationships inside and outside the company.

In the case of The ConnectionⓇ, we were looking for a communication platform that could best service our training team. As a fully virtual company, we need a platform that would allow for an effective and easy training process. We had the training team at the forefront of our decision when choosing a platform that would allow us to create a good foundation for our employees. The ConnectionⓇ needed an accessible and user-friendly experience that would not add stress but have an easy set-up that avoided unnecessary technical hurdles. We needed reliability, minimal interruptions, and productive interactions during the workday without the worry of technical difficulty slowing us down. Collaboration between trainer and trainees is key so multiple tools that enhance engagement and interactions was a must.

Throughout the journey The ConnectionⓇ was on to become fully virtual, we found that the platform that met all our requirements and would service our company best is ZOOM. Our training team found the Zooms video communication services were the most effective during the training process. Features like screen sharing, virtual whiteboards, breakout rooms, and recording were particularly valuable in educational settings, where interactive learning experiences took center stage. The platform’s infrastructure ensures minimal disruptions such as lagging or dropped calls, providing a reliable environment for productive interactions. It is easy to use for internal and external communication and integrated well with already-in-place tools The ConnectionⓇ was using.

In 2024, after The ConnectionⓇ integrated Zoom into our daily work lives we decided to focus more on our internal communication within the company and implemented another program to meet our virtual needs. This additional product was another Zoom product called workVIVO. The ConnectionⓇ has been using this product for less than a year but so far has served the company and the employees well.