Welcome back to Ringside. Besides our own leading lights, this series invites insights from business leaders beyond our walls. In partnering with others to help create the future of work, we\u2019re curious to uncover a broader perspective on business communications.<\/p>\n
This episode focuses on Harriet Forrest from cloud telephony specialist\u00a0<\/span>Fortay<\/span> Connect. Harriet’s background is in public cloud. Working with Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services, Harriet was focused on developing and driving global strategy and <\/span>programmes<\/span>\u00a0to drive revenues for cloud service partners.<\/span><\/span> Harriet is passionate about creating a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and is a business ambassador for Ambitious about Autism<\/a>. Harriet\u2019s hobbies include a love for Formula One, theatre and <\/span>CrossFit<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I’m the Alliance and Marketing Director at Fortay Connect, responsible for selecting Fortay’s key technology alliances and developing global partnerships, as well as company communications, go-to-market strategy and programmes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The thing I love most about my job is working in such a rapidly changing market.\u00a0 The telephony and collaboration industry has been through unprecedented change and consolidation over the past five years. In order to deliver for our clients, it’s imperative that Fortay stays at the forefront of this change to continue to provide excellent customer service and to enable our customers to adopt the leading technologies for them to succeed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Both telephony and collaboration technologies have changed almost beyond recognition over the past eight years. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Telephony has transitioned from on-premises IP Telephony, which of course came with a host of\u00a0 difficulties for customers. Clunky and expensive hardware, extremely complex topologies and extortionate lines and minutes costs. Now we have true cloud UCaaS<\/a>, which has completely changed the feature set, delivery model and financial model of telephony services, making it easier than ever for businesses of all sizes to migrate, upgrade and improve their communication solutions without the aforementioned difficulties.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Over a similar timeframe, video conferencing has transitioned from proprietary boardroom-only niche hardware to a pervasive, browser based, business-critical tool.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More so, the development of social media has transformed the way customers engage with businesses and their expectations have increased. Businesses are now striving to connect all social channels such as Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter into their solutions to improve customer relationships, increase revenues and promote customer loyalty.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\tHarriet, what’s your role at Fortay Connect and what do you love about your job?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
In what ways has business communications changed over your career?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n