We’ve already talked about using Brosix on the Go, but there are specific instances where the mobile version of Brosix for Android and iPhone definitely come in handy, more so than others.  One such instance is commuting, or the act or traveling to and from work via train, car, or other form of transportation.

While Brosix never condones using a mobile smartphone to text or IM while driving, the other alternatives of commuting can offer a great opportunity to use Brosix corporate messaging.

A recent Gallup poll suggested that employees that are more engaged and truly interested in their work don’t mind commuting:

Engagement at work may buffer the effects of stress from a long commute because engaged workers are more likely to look forward to their work, probably making a long commute more tolerable. And after a good day of work, the drive home is probably more tolerable as well, thereby reducing the chance of high stress during a long commute. Conversely, disengaged workers tend to think of work as a burden, which is likely to influence their mood during their commute both to and from their workplace.

During longer commutes, engaged employees may find it useful to begin some work on their way there by going through email and having conversations with co-workers or clients via Brosix. As long as there is good phone reception, the Brosix Instant Messaging application makes it easy to get initial conversations started before even walking into the office. Taking care of these conversations and emails before setting foot into the office can make the day start off much easier and less stressful.

Have you had a chance to download the iPhone or Android version of the Brosix instant messaging application yet? The application can either be used as an instant  messenger for work or with the public or free version on Brosix. The program works with your existing logins for either the enterprise or public versions of Brosix.

This makes it so easy for employees to stay connected to co-workers back at the office or around the world while they are on the go. If an employee is traveling or running work errands, leaving their Brosix Instant Messenger running on their phone makes it possible to still have chat and instant messaging conversations from their iPhone or Android phone.

Receiving regular positive reviews, these mobile Brosix applications have been a big hit with existing and new Brosix users, especially because this mobile version still has the same encrypted security features that are a touchstone of the Brosix software that is available for download on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

To download the mobile applications for Brosix, be sure to check out these links:

• Brosix Instant Messaging for Work for Android
• Brosix Instant Messenger for Work for iPhone

Classic instant messaging conversations gave birth to internet slang terms that are still commonly used today, such as LOL for “Laugh Out Loud” or JK for “Just Kidding”. Even though these types of abbreviations and slang terms are commonly known, they still may not be appropriate for work communication.

Many employees may consider instant messaging for work to be a more casual form of communication than emails or written letters, but in many cases, this is simply not true. Instant messaging with a friend is a casual instant, but having an online conversation with a colleague or supervisor is different.

In these cases, employees should always take care to spell words correctly and avoid common slang terms and abbreviations such as LOL and JK. Even if the other user is doing it, an employee should still take pains to make sure their communication is professional and appropriate.

Some instant messaging programs will underline misspelled words, but if this isn’t the case, be sure to be vigilant and know how to spell most commonly used words correctly. If you are unsure of how to spell or use a word, look it up online at dictionary.com or open up a word document processing program.

Brosix Whiteboard is an award-winning feature of Brosix, but users who haven’t used it yet may be wondering how to use it effectively. In order to learn more about Brosix Whiteboard and how to use it in your own business, here are a few ways that some employees and other Brosix users may be using the Whiteboard feature:

• Tutoring a student
• Drawing a diagram
• Brainstorming logo ideas
• Pasting in an image or document image and editing it
• Practicing handwriting with a mouse

and many more. Our users enjoy the Brosix Whiteboard feature so much, it won “Best IM Feature” in the 2009 About.com instant Messaging awards. This feature is unique to Brosix and not many other free and corporate or private instant messenger for work programs even have it available.

These types of unique features are just some of the reasons why many people choose to use Brosix for their personal and professional communication needs. Whether it’s on the free public version of Brosix or the enterprise version, users can enjoy Whiteboard and several other of Brosix’s unique features, such as Screen Sharing, File Transfer, Co-Browsing, and more.

Many individuals have personal and professional goals that they set for themselves at the beginning of the year. Some like to call these New Year’s Resolutions, while others just prefer to say “goals”. No matter the vernacular, goal setting is a valuable tool for self improvement both personally and professionally.

If an individual’s goal is to be more organized and productive, learning more about time management may be a good idea. There are several different books and strategies available to learn more about how to manage time more productively, but Brian Tracy and Mind Tools are two good resources to get started with. Both offer concrete tools and strategies and are helpful in highlighting the areas that need improvement while also providing solutions.

Besides these types of resources, programs that are already being used can also be a great help. For instance, Brosix Instant Messenger for Work is also another good resource. If an individual has identified that talking or chatting with co-workers has been a contributor towards poor time management, they may find it more useful to have conversations with co-workers via instant messaging instead of walking over to their desk. In most cases, a work-related question can be answered instantly via IM and can avoid small talk, which may take up time that needs to be spend working.

Brosix instant messenger for work is a great way for managers and employees to communicate with one another, due to the many features and text chat that comes with this free public and paid enterprise versions.

However, one of the great features of Brosix can also help companies and their hiring managers with something that may be unexpected– interviewing and hiring potential job applicants through the video chat and text chat features.

This is especially helpful for companies that do a lot of outsourcing, work with freelancers, or who have a flexible working policy that allows employees to work anywhere, due to the nature of the work. Some companies hire employees or independent contractors without ever meeting them in person, which may seem unusual to some traditional or older Human Resources professionals. However, the internet has made it possible for employees’ working conditions to be much more flexible.

This is beneficial for both companies and employees or independent contractors– companies can find more educated and experiences employees since they can work from anywhere, and the employees or contractors can work from home or travel to see friends and family without being “tied down” into an office building or cubicle.

Because this arrangement usually makes employees/contractors happy, they will be more likely to be more productive in order to keep the arrangement going.

Proper video equipment is crucial for Brosix users that are planning on using the Video Chat feature for teleconferencing. Outdated or inoperable equipment can lead to video lag, sound issues, and more.

In most cases, laptops come with built-in webcams and some even include built-in microphones. However, for older models of computers or those that don’t have webcams or built-in microphones, these types of peripherals are needed. In order to buy the right style, check with a specialist who can recommend the best type for your computer.

In most cases, many specialists will recommend a headset that has a microphone attached to it. This makes it possible to hold more private videoconferencing sessions, as no one will be able to hear the other participant to whom you are talking to. In addition, having the microphone placed closely to your mouth will usually make your speech more clear and easier to recognize.

As far as webcams go, most webcams have a lower video/image quality than most cameras, but there are advances in this area that are striving to make webcams HD and clearer than ever.

Most webcams and headset microphones are pretty affordable, depending on the overall features and quality of the item. Compare prices at electronics stores and online before buying to get the greatest deal.

The many features of Brosix instant messenger make it an easy program to use for interactions and troubleshooting sessions between IT or customer service employees and customers. Besides using text chat to communicate with customers, employees can also use the screen sharing or co-browse features to help customers.

Screen Sharing Feature of Brosix

These features allow the company employees to see the issue that the customer is having on their computer (via Screen Sharing) or on their website (via Co-Browse) so they can begin to troubleshoot and figure out how to solve the problem. Customers appreciate the instant service this type of “digital problem solving” provides, and employees (and companies) appreciate the convenience of being able to solve customers’ problems directly from their desks and offices.  This saves costs on sending employees out “into the field”– meaning, heading to customer’s homes or business offices to help them solve the problem in person.

Technical support via Brosix helps customers get the help they need instantly, and helps companies save the costs of in-person assistance. And because Brosix is a free download that is always secure and advertisement-free, most customers won’t mind having to install the program onto their computer in order to complete the technical support communication session.

Even though Brosix offers a public version, there is also an Enterprise version, which was created so businesses could have their own private instant messaging network for their company. Most Brosix users have found that this private instant messaging for work has had a plethora of benefits, including enhanced security through strong encryption, peace of mind, a simpler interface that makes it easy for any employee to learn, and unique award-winning features that make working online totally easy.

Many of our clients report that their employees enjoy using the unique features for so many reasons. From transferring confidential files securely to having online chats with co-workers, employees can use the Enterprise version of Brosix Instant Messenger as a complete online communication suite. This is because any type of communication that can be completed online can usually be done through Brosix.

From video chat, text messaging, whiteboard (a visual collaboration tool), and more, Brosix is a “one-stop shop” that allows employees to be more productive, less stressed, and easier to monitor using the administrative tools that come with the Enterprise version. Network administrators can view user’s activities, as well as only allow certain groups of users to communication with one another. This may come in handy in a large company or a company that needs to monitor employee’s activities for security reasons.

Photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1305806 by http://www.sxc.hu/profile/CELALTEBER

Occasionally, there are times when photos will need to be sent between co-workers, friends and family for various purposes. Photos can be a great necessity to many projects, both offline and online. Fortunately, the Brosix Instant Messenger for work program makes it so easy to send photos to other Brosix users via the File Transfer option.

Below are some of the scenarios when sending photos via the File Transfer feature.

• Sending a photo to a co-worker for a blog post that illustrates and highlights the content of the blog post
• Transferring photos to a family member for their enjoyment following a vacation or a holiday
• Sending an infographic to a manager who requested more information on the benefits of social media marketing
• Transferring photos of a company event (such as a holiday work party or a fundraiser) to the marketing assistant so he or she can post the photos on Facebook and the company’s blog
• Sending company employee headshots to the web designer or company webmaster so they can be placed on the company’s website
• Sending company graphics or logos to the advertising department so an advertisement can be created for a seasonal promotion or a sponsorship event flyer

Whether your company’s employees need to transfer photos between one another for one of the above reason or for something else, Brosix provides a variety of features that makes it easy to transfer photos and other files securely.