Five myths about instant messaging that every entrepreneur needs to know

Nowadays, enterprise-level instant messaging tools have become popular. There are huge differences between consumer-level instant messaging and enterprise-level instant messaging in terms of usage, individual functions, security and compliance standards, and overall quality. However, many companies are still using consumer-level instant messaging apps such as WeChat and QQ for one reason or another. What other misunderstandings do we have about instant messaging?

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Myth 1: WeChat is the highest standard for instant messaging

The most common misconception is that consumer-grade instant messaging can meet the needs of work communication. For example, WeChat currently has 1.2 billion users, so an app of this size must be the most perfect, right?

In fact, there is a clear difference between enterprise-level instant messaging and consumer-level enterprise messaging. They are each designed for their own target groups. There is only the most suitable, not the best. Enterprise-level instant messaging can accomplish some key tasks, including but not limited to:

• Enterprise-level security encryption and protection to maximize the data security of your team
• Help teams communicate and collaborate effectively, eliminating distractions outside of work
• Provide the communication tools needed to effectively manage people and projects

Obviously, consumer-level instant messaging cannot meet these requirements.

Myth 2: Enterprise-level instant messaging has low reach

Consumer-level instant messaging like WeChat is easier to receive outside of work hours than enterprise-level instant messaging tools because employees use it in their daily lives.

In fact, this problem does not exist, because most enterprise-level instant messaging software, including WeiKe Cloud, already have the function of offline message push. Even if employees log out of their accounts and kill the process, they can still receive messages.

On the contrary, enterprise-level instant messaging can also improve the team's focus and efficiency. When using consumer-level instant messaging at work, team members may have to keep in touch with family and friends, thus distracting their attention.

According to a study by Software Advice, among nearly 150 employees who used enterprise-level instant messaging for work, 66% found it easier to detect and resolve minor issues.

Misconception 3: Weakening the relationship between employees

Many people believe that enterprise-level instant messaging tools reduce face-to-face communication between team members, and the relationship between colleagues will be weakened as a result.

However, a 2018 study found that reducing distractions in the workplace could significantly increase team productivity. The study also found that the biggest distractions at work were chatting with colleagues, meetings, phone calls and office noise.

Using enterprise-level instant messaging tools does not weaken the relationship between colleagues. It is a good tool to reduce work obstacles and is beneficial to the relationship between employees.

Myth 4: Security is the same

The biggest misunderstanding is that consumer-level instant messaging and enterprise-level instant messaging tools are equally secure, because we tend to think that they are both instant messaging and the technical means they use should be the same.

Indeed, from the security perspective, the technical means used by the two are not much different, but there are huge differences in functions. Enterprise-level instant messaging like Weiku Cloud often has many functions to protect corporate information security, such as automatic destruction upon expiration. Management can set the expiration time of the message. Once the message expires, the chat records and files on the device and server will be automatically deleted, thereby protecting data security.

Another example is chat encryption, where team members can create encrypted single or group chats, messages cannot be copied, screenshots are automatically reminded, etc. These are all not available in consumer-level instant messaging.

In addition, enterprise-level instant messaging will also provide solutions such as private deployment and local deployment to create communication tools dedicated to corporate intranets and minimize the risk of information and data leakage.

Myth 5: Instant messaging doesn’t pay off

Many people believe that using enterprise-grade instant messaging does not provide a return on investment.

In fact, McKinsey, a world-renowned management consulting firm, once stated that companies that do not use enterprise-level instant messaging will reduce the productivity of high-tech employees and management by 20-25%.

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Although as early as 2000, many entrepreneurs have discovered the many benefits of using enterprise-level instant messaging software, it is time to consider whether or not to use enterprise-level instant messaging tools.