Big businesses are left behind as small firms pioneer the remote office

Large businesses are lagging behind their smaller counterparts when it comes to remote and flexible working practices, according to new research from leading business communications provider Mitel. The findings show that 72 per cent of decision makers within small firms would allow their staff to work remotely, compared with only 44 per cent in larger British firms.

The results show a significant rise in the acceptance of remote and teleworking amongst Britainís small business community. A similar survey conducted by Mitel in 2003 suggested that only a quarter (29 per cent) of owners and managers considered managing remote staff to be as easy as working with office-based staff.

Small business owners and managers also lead the way with modern attitudes toward their own working practices. When asked if they would like to work flexibly themselves, eight in ten (83 per cent) said they would consider it compared with only six in ten (63 per cent) of those working in larger firms.

By using technology such as IP Telephony, companies with remote workers, branch offices and contact centres are able to extend their talent pool nationally or internationally, help foster better work-life balance, and still deal with customers consistently and efficiently using converged video, voice and data communications.

Graham Bevington, Mitel EMEA managing director, said: ìConnecting home-based or remote staff with the central office is becoming more common as the UK is beginning to embrace newer technologies that bring solid business benefits. Armed with a laptop and a broadband connection, our customers can make calls as if they were at their office desk and on the same extension line.

ìRemote staff can work from the company computer network and can take advantage or more advanced applications such as, online collaboration, video conferencing and online ëpresenceí, which enables staff to identify where their colleagues are located and whether they are available. This is creating a more productive and happier workforce and is generating cost savings in return.î

Software firm Commontime is one example of a small business using IP Telephony to allow staff across several countries to work remotely and efficiently. When Commontime takes phone calls, they are automatically routed to the most appropriate country that is open for business, a concept the firm calls ìFollow the Sunî. This allows the right member of staff to take the call and also enables 24x7 customer service. The company runs a small but dynamic business, and by embracing teleworking it can operate as a global and local business