Plantronics has identified seven key trends to help you stay connected with your customers. Download the complete guide: http://bit.ly/Zcztja Preview the guide here on SlideShare to learn how new and emerging technology has raised customer expectations, and what you can do to address these communication trends.

1. Big trends
for small businesses
New technology
has raised customer expectations.
You and your employees are now expected
to be available across a range of
communication channels.
But which ones are best for your business?

2. Here’s a preview of 7 trends
to help you stay connected with
your customers…

3. Here’s a preview of 7 trends
to help you stay connected with
your customers…
…and one step ahead
of the competition.
See 1st trend

4. Collaboration 1
is in the cloud

5. Collaboration 1
is in the cloud
By the end of 2013, 83% of
SMBs will be using the cloud to:
Storage and sharing – Dropbox,
SugarSync or Microsoft® SkyDrive
Online meeting & conferencing –
Skype or WebEx Premium for
simple video conferencing
Document collaboration – Google
Drive and Microsoft® Office 365 Continue onto trend 2
to give multiple users access to
the latest version online

6. Social media 2
isn’t going away
Consumers now turn
to social media to
determine what to
buy and from whom.

7. Social media 2
isn’t going away
Consumers now turn
to social media to
determine what to
buy and from whom.
Our smart tips:
Start small - choose one or two
platforms and build from there
Create conversations- Post regular
updates and engage in dialogue
Don’t just sell - Give your customers What’s next on trend 3
a chance to get to know your brand
Do your research - Find communities
and platforms where your customers are

8. Your workers 3
are everywhere
SMBs are using video conferencing
faster than large businesses
home
oFfice cafe

9. Your workers 3
are everywhere
SMBs are using video conferencing
faster than large businesses
home See trend 4
oFfice cafe
The future of work is mobile and the benefits couldn’t be clearer:
Attract and retain top talent – the tech- Cut costs – less real estate means less outlay
fluent generation want flexibility Expand your sales footprint – a dispersed but
Boost employee satisfaction – happier connected sales team covers more customers
employees are more productive
employees

10. Video conferencing 4
is as good as being there

11. Video conferencing 4
is as good as being there
Get the ABC of video conferencing:
attend a video conference and show off
your latest product direct to the customer
broadcast webinars in which you train
remote employees on new product features
Conduct video-based job interviews Next trend 5
to find the best talent more easily

12. Apps are 5
ready to go 72% of small businesses
are using business apps
on smartphones or
tablets.

13. Apps are 5
ready to go 72% of small businesses
are using business apps
on smartphones or
Note-taking: Evernote tablets.
1
or Microsoft OneNote
Time-tracking: Toggl, Timr and
2
TSheets track time spent on each job
Financial management: Mint, Yodlee
3
and Quicken to budget better
Credit card transactions: Square, PhoneSwipe and
4 Credit Card Terminal for payments and so much more
Password management: Lastpass and
5 Keeper create and track access codes
Skip to trend 6

14. Talk is cheap(er) 6
Toll-free numbers, call holding and
transfers, voicemail and email
integration – it’s all here and more:

15. Talk is cheap(er) 6
Toll-free numbers, call holding and
transfers, voicemail and email
integration – it’s all here and more:
Upgrade to IP PBX if you want in-house
control but reduced costs
oR
Dive into virtual PBX if you want to
improve mobility yet reduce hardware
investment
Move to trend 7

16. Devices can talk 7
to each other
Team your devices with a single, intelligent
headset and unified communications means:

17. Devices can talk 7
to each other
Team your devices with a single, intelligent
headset and unified communications means:
You stay connected no matter where you are
You can use the best device available (mobile,
PC or deskphone)
You can switch between devices
as your situation changes
You can always hear and be heard
Get the whole story
You stay sounding professional

18. go To plantronics.com/7BigTrends
to find out more about each of these
key trends

19. go To plantronics.com/7BigTrends
to find out more about each of these
key trends
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