11 Signs That You Are Too Dependent On Your Desk Phone – And How To Break Free

Desk phones have been a fixture in the American office ever since we can remember, with films from Working Girl to Wolf of Wall Street showing them at every turn. But in this modern world of smartphones and apps for every need, traditional handsets are starting to feel more and more out-of-date and out-of-place with each passing day. Telecommunications providers are continuously launching new VoIP mobility products and services, like elaborate soft phone apps that enable users to replace or augment their current communications with more flexible, cloud-based technologies.

But while technology has changed tremendously in the past decades, our habits are much slower to adjust, and with the numerous business needs they continue to meet, desk phones are not going anywhere – not in the near future at least. Many offices around the country still consider them their primary form of communication, citing their dependability and ease of use as the main reasons behind their lasting popularity. Manufacturers such as Polycom, Cisco and Yealink ensure their user-friendly hardware integrates with the newest technologies and applications, such as CRMs. And desk phones still come with a better quality speakerphone than many cell phones.

But despite  all their benefits, desk phones can be quite inflexible and often promote work behaviors that are more rigid than productive. When you start to feel tied to your chair to do your work or have to make difficult choices between equally important tasks, it may be time to rethink your relationship with your phone.

11 Signs Your Desk Phone Has Too Much Control Over Your Work

1. You are spending more time in a day trying to catch colleagues between calls than you care to admit.
2. Providing your personal cell number to clients and partners is the price you have to pay for forgetting to make important calls while in the office.
3. Any time you spend on the road between meetings is time wasted.
4. You can leave to make it on time to that important meeting or you can answer an incoming call, but you can’t do both.
5. Your entire business comes to a screechy halt every time internet connections are down, taking the phones lines down with them.
6. You find yourself memorizing important numbers in case of an after-hours emergency, because you just can’t take the directory with you.
7. You spend a chunk of your day shifting your gaze between your phone and computer screen, dialing, mis-dialing and re-dialing numbers.
8. Your start your first day back from a vacation listening to voicemail.
9. The stress of missing out on important calls and messages while you’re out is all too real.
10. Setting up an impromptu teleconference takes forever while you individually call and enroll each participant.
11. You think that modern offices with flexible work conditions and telecommuting belong in sci-fi movies.

We have all felt the limiting effects of desk phones, whether we spent way too much time trying to get a hold of a colleague or missed important calls just minutes after we left the office. But with the fast-paced growth of VoIP technology and the cloud-based industry, there is no shortage of solutions to pick from.

Simplify Your Work With A VoIP Desktop App – At The Office And At Home

Many VoIP providers offer user-friendly desktop applications connected to their cloud phone system, making your work easier both in the office and at home. Their software enables you to access your entire company directory and see who is online, away or on a call, eliminating time spent trying to catch a coworker between calls. With the click-to-call functionality, you can place calls with just one click, whether you chose to talk to a colleague listed in the directory or rely on browser integration to dial any number from a website. Apps connected to your VoIP phone system simplify teleconferencing as well, relying on the drag-and-drop functionality to start an impromptu multi-way conversation in seconds instead of enrolling participants manually. And the best part? With the app installed to your laptop, you can stay connected and productive no matter where you work from, whether that’s the office, your home or a coffee shop. With access to your office extension and caller ID through the application, you can appear professional and true to the company brand image at all times.

VoIP Softphone Mobile Apps For Added Flexibility On The Go

VoIP soft phone apps installed to your smartphone take this flexibility to another level, enabling you to stay productive and make or receive calls on the go. With access to your company directory, call history and office extension right in your pocket, you can take care of business at any time and not worry about important calls or voicemail missed while away. In addition, the immunity of mobile apps to power or internet outages at the office ensures business continuity and allows you to continue your work while the technical team addresses the issue.

While desk phones will not be replaced any time soon, mobile and desktop apps connected to your company VoIP phone system can go a long way in augmenting your communications toolkit and freeing you from the rigidity of stationary equipment. Even such small tweaks to your work habits can have a tremendous impact on your efficiency and productivity. If you are considering a much needed upgrade to your communications technology, gives a call, we’d be happy to help!