Writing on managementtoday.co.uk, Avaya managing director for UK and Ireland Lee Shorten revealed that research by his firm found British companies let communications standards fall during the recession.
The poll found that two-fifths of firms saw internal communications suffer over the past two years, while the same proportion believe contact with customers deteriorate. In addition, 30 per cent noticed communication from their suppliers weaken.
'Organisations can no longer expect customers and employees to accommodate the limited communication methods they offer. Rather, the reverse must be true or customers will simply take their business elsewhere,' Mr Shorten wrote.
The expert added that companies should start to invest in platforms such as unified communications and social media, as this will allow them to boost their relationships with customers.
Earlier this month, Jon Neville, general manager at the Enterprise Virtual Private Network Users Association, told the UC Expo that larger firms can find it hard to adapt their old networks to use unified communications.
The poll found that two-fifths of firms saw internal communications suffer over the past two years, while the same proportion believe contact with customers deteriorate. In addition, 30 per cent noticed communication from their suppliers weaken.
'Organisations can no longer expect customers and employees to accommodate the limited communication methods they offer. Rather, the reverse must be true or customers will simply take their business elsewhere,' Mr Shorten wrote.
The expert added that companies should start to invest in platforms such as unified communications and social media, as this will allow them to boost their relationships with customers.
Earlier this month, Jon Neville, general manager at the Enterprise Virtual Private Network Users Association, told the UC Expo that larger firms can find it hard to adapt their old networks to use unified communications.
