Author: Forbes Agency Council
Original Publication: Forbes
Date Published: July 27, 2018
How many times have you set a reminder, sent a message or searched for the answer to a question, simply by speaking into your phone? Voice technology, combined with built-in AI assistants like Siri and Cortana, have made these situations commonplace, and it’s changing the way we live our daily lives.
But voice technology isn’t just useful in the consumer realm: Businesses can — and already do — greatly benefit from the ability to give commands, look up information and dictate notes using just their voice and a smart device. Here’s what nine Forbes Agency Council members believe the future of voice technology in the workplace looks like. 
1. Improved Internal Information Sharing
IBM Watson has been building customized voice applications for the enterprise. Think: Being on the factory floor and having access to all of the company’s intranet, process documentation and HR documentation, all without lifting a finger. Making information accessible to everyone will help all levels of the organization to be more efficient. – Dan Golden, Be Found Online
2. Increased Productivity Through Multitasking
Being able to ask simple questions, set meetings, timers, reminders and more, without stopping what you’re doing can be incredibly helpful, and already is. Alexa is a key office tool for me today, ensuring I keep track of action items and to-do lists, and reminding me of upcoming meetings. – Molly Mulloy, Crafted Communications
3. More Free Time For Administrative Executives
Voice assistance has the possibility of freeing up valuable time for administrative executives, allowing them to shift their focus to higher priority to-dos on their list. Inputting meetings on calendars, sending quick texts and other similar tasks will be replaced with voice technology. – Priscila Martinez, The Brand Agency
4. Greater Control Over The Work Environment
It is predicted that by 2020, 30% of all web searches will be screenless, and within four years, shopping online by voice-only is expect to reach $40 billion. While I am working through my emails, I use Alexa to replenish snacks by ordering from Amazon, get restaurant recommendations, search for the latest stats and change the office temperature. I can also ask Alexa to answer my calls. – Alannah Tsimis Sandehl, IDM Brand
5. Automation Of Mundane Processes
Alexa for business utilizes simple voice commands to control the equipment in the room, set up meetings without issues, and save time in the corporate world. It also can report to the IT department about broken printers, etc. Looking longer-term, I feel one of the biggest value propositions of voice assistants will be the ability to automate mundane processes. – Imran Tariq, WebMetrix Group LLC
6. Streamlined Workflows And Reduced Communicative Friction
Google has already introduced the ability of voice tech to schedule appointments, impacting our daily processes. Soon we’ll be able to say out loud, “Schedule a meeting with Tom at 2 p.m.,” and done! Between emails, instant messages and endless office minutia that can take time out of our day, voice tech will soon be an invaluable tool for streamlining general workflows and reducing friction. – Bernard May, National Positions
7. Greater Insights Into The Consumer Mindset
Aside from the utility of audio assistants in the workplace, which could be used to book meetings, manage to-do lists and send messages to colleagues, voice technology could help marketers get in the mindset of consumers by exploring voice search results and popular Skills/Actions. Voice gaming, for example, could be used as a model for how consumers will navigate website content by voice. – Nina Hale, Nina Hale / Performance Digital
8. Easier Documentation And Note-Taking
Every company needs some degree of process documentation, standard operating procedures and long, tedious written forms of communication. Yet, no one ever has the time to write them, so why not say them using voice technology? It’s easier to edit something than to write it from scratch. – Brooke Weller, iProspect, San Diego
9. Uniquely Human Jobs
Voice has already started to make its way into the workplace to improve worker efficiency. Dictation allows you to take real-time detailed notes during a meeting so there are no discrepancies. Cortana helps you search, schedule appointments and set reminders. When used effectively, technology will allow the worker to focus on strategy and creativity, the elements that make us uniquely human. – Jessica Hawthorne-Castro, hawthornedirect.com
