The Business Voicemail: What the Future Holds

Corporate voicemail has been a part of business since the late 1970s, playing a vital role in daily operations for decades. However, as is the case with much of the technology we once embraced in the workplace, its popularity has waned in recent years. This once valuable business tool appears to be going the way of the typewriter, Dictaphone, and Rolodex. Corporations such as Coca-Cola and JPMorgan Chase abandoned voicemail in recent years, with the latter justifying the move by claiming, "hardly anyone uses voicemail anymore."

It’s true: people don’t make nearly as many ‘traditional’ calls anymore, preferring instead to use text-based communication, such as email, messenger tools, or text messages. In addition, many people—especially millennials— find voicemails an outdated method of communication, one that is inefficient, time-consuming, and cumbersome to use. Why take the time to leave a long, drawn-out voicemail when you can just try calling them again later, wait for them to see the missed call and respond to you, or fire off an email? That said, is it accurate to declare voicemail dead? More specifically, do voicemails still have a place when doing business?

Why voicemails still hold weight in business.

While its use has certainly declined, many people still find value in voicemail and actively use it in professional settings. For starters, voicemail is more convenient to use than ever. Our messages can be easily accessed via transcribed text messages and emails no matter where we are through solutions such as Unified Communications. Voicemails also provide an impact on their recipients that text-based communications can’t offer. Hearing a voice attached to a message adds a human element to an otherwise vapid communication, promoting relationship building with coworkers, clients, and prospects. Voicemails enable you to provide tone for your message, which can be difficult to infer from written words. Moreover, if you’re in sales, voicemails are another touchpoint you can use to connect with clients.

There’s no doubt voicemail isn’t as popular as it once was, but reports of its death are premature. This technology has evolved and remains a practical tool in the modern workplace.

At Managed Business Solutions, we offer services such as Voicemail to Email that can modernize the use of voicemail in your office. MBS also offers a Unified Communication platform that can connect your organization’s employees no matter where they are or what device they’re on. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer to help your business stay connected.