It’s no secret that the way we work has changed since the pandemic: the Future Workforce Pulse Report estimates that nearly one-fourth (22 percent) of American employees will be fully remote by 2025, in addition to the large number of employees expected to utilize a hybrid work model. It’s not just workplaces that have changed — communication and collaboration needs have also changed. Broadvoice partners need to shift their approach to analyze work environments and evaluate the needs of employees.

To help facilitate this new approach, our device partner, Poly, shared information about six key business personas to help partners target customers and address their specific communications goals. The six personas are:

• Office communicator
• Office collaborator
• Remote collaborator
• Flexible worker
• Road warrior
• Connected executive

Poly also has added new devices to support each of these personas, including a new line of feature-rich Poly Edge E handsets with hybrid-work-friendly features, including:

• Integrated Bluetooth® for mobile phone and headset pairing (on select models)
• Poly NoiseBlockAI and Poly Acoustic Fence technologies
• Text-to-speech and new accessibility options
• NFC technology for advanced feature integrations such as “tap to pair” for hot desking
• Color light bar status indicator
• Integrated Microban® antimicrobial protection

Pair Your Client’s Hybrid Employees with the Right Poly Device

It’s important to match employees with the right Poly device to streamline their hybrid workflows. Here’s a guide to make it easy.

1. The office communicator. The office communicator spends most of their time communicating with colleagues or customers. They are traditional office employees who rarely change location and prefer familiar technologies; as a result, they are sometimes hesitant to adopt modern solutions. Poly products that work well for office communicators include:

• Wired USB headsets, such as the Blackwire 5210 or Blackwire 5220
• A wireless DECT headset with low interference, such as the Savi 8220
• Poly Edge E handsets with one of two LCDs, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, or USB-C, such as the E350, E450, E550, or Edge E Expansion Module (not sold as a standalone handset)

2. The office collaborator. The office collaborator is more progressive than the office communicator but retains an office-first work style. They’re comfortable with some remote technology but are often in busy — and noisy — environments. Poly has found that 16 percent of employees in a typical enterprise fall within this persona. Poly products that work well for the office collaborator include:

• Bluetooth headsets, such as the Voyager 4310/4320 UC or Voyager Focus 2
• Poly Edge E handsets with LCD and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, such as the E350

3. The remote collaborator. Remote collaborators rely on multiple devices to stay connected while working remotely. They rely less on their desk phone and more on their smartphone and computer. Poly products that work well for remote collaborators include:

• Over-the-head Bluetooth headsets, such as the Voyager Focus 2

4. The flexible worker. Flexible workers need to seamlessly transition from one device to the next. They’re frequently on the go and use whatever technology is necessary to do the job. They can be found in their home office, shared workspaces, coffee shops — you name it. Poly products that work well for the flexible worker include:

• Over-the-head Bluetooth headsets, such as the Voyager Focus 2
• Handsets with LCD and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, such as the E220 or E350

5. The road warrior. These employees work anywhere except the office, so optimizing their mobile experience is key to their productivity. Poly estimates that 4 percent of employees are road warriors. Poly products that work well for road warriors include:

• Wireless DECT headsets, such as the Savi 8220
• In-ear Bluetooth headsets, such as the Voyager 5200 UC

6. The connected executive. These employees are emerging leaders who embrace new technology. They primarily work from home and need high-quality collaboration technologies to do their jobs effectively. Poly products that work well for connected executives include:

• Wireless DECT headsets, such as the Savi 8220
• Over-the-head Bluetooth headsets, such as the Voyager Focus 2
• Handsets with LCD, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and USB-C, such as the E550 or Edge E Expansion Module (not sold as a standalone handset)

Take Advantage of Poly’s Incentives for Your Clients

Poly is currently offering two bonus incentives for your clients.

• The Poly Phone Cashback Program, which runs May 15, 2023, through January 31, 2024, enables business customers in the U.S. or Canada who purchase, lease, or rent five or more qualifying Poly phones from a Poly-authorized service provider (like Broadvoice) to qualify for a rebate on up to 200 units.
• Poly’s Grant Assistance Program is a free “no strings attached” resource to help you find grants for clients in K–12 education, state and local government, healthcare, and more. If you have questions about the program or whether a customer would qualify, contact [email protected].

Poly Has the Right Devices to Meet Clients’ Needs

Poly’s in-demand devices, cashback offer, and grant assistance program can help you provide the right solutions for your clients and the wide variety of personas in their hybrid workplaces.

Detailed pricing information for all Poly models is available in the partner portal, or you can contact your Channel Manager for additional information.