In early 2020, dating app Tinder made headlines when they announced that they were adding a panic button feature. CNN Business reported that while it wasn’t an actual physical panic button, the app had newly added functionality that would alert authorities if someone ran into danger on a date. There was also the ability to check in and let friends know where the date was at any given time. Critics of Tinder’s virtual panic button wondered why instead of creating safer matches overall, instead of adding what felt to some to be a patch instead of an actual fix. ​

In the real world, life sometimes gets bumpy, and that’s when physical panic buttons become a necessity instead of something optional. If you’ve been debating whether or not to outfit your team with panic buttons, we’d like to share five reasons why it’s a really good idea.

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1. To give your staff a sense of security:

One of the best parts of being part of a team is realizing that for better or worse, you can count on others to tell you how to do your job, well, that’s probably the part that might be classified as worse. The better part of working as part of a team is that others help you to do your job and also look out for you. It also means that if one staff member has to head to a remote area of the building, they’ll probably want a fellow team member to be aware of their location. Some people feel uncomfortable continually checking in with fellow staffers every time they head out of the immediately shared work space. Outfitting all staff members with panic buttons allows them to have both a sense of autonomy and security. After all, a dark and deserted hallway feels a lot less intimidating if help is a push of the button away.

Don’t panic tip: Instead of causing your staff to worry about potentially sketchy areas at work, first gather senior staff to do a top-down analysis of areas or situations that could cause potential issues for staffers.

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2. Because your team never met in person:

In an article on ComputerWeekly.com about security issues we might collectively face in 2021, experts discussed how remote working could potentially create a surge in cyber attacks. In that feature, Igor Andriushchenko, director of quality and security for engineering at Snow Software, said, “People have not ever met many of their colleagues who joined companies in 2020 due to the shift towards remote work.” That was an aha moment for us. With ever-evolving staffs and team members, it’s crucial to create a consistent sense of security. Ensuring that every single staff member has a panic button means that they won’t have to wonder if that person in the shadows is a colleague or someone sketchy. And their panic button gives them a sense of security if they feel unsafe in any given situation.

Don’t panic tip: Even if your staff won’t work face-to-face, create an internal database with visuals including everyone’s name along with a recent photograph.

Related: Top 5 Things Your Hotel Pnic Button Must Have

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3. You could potentially save money on insurance:

In recent years, home insurance companies have started reducing premiums for people whose homes have specific smart devices. For instance, Fox Business reported that having a wireless security system with video doorbells combined with monitoring services created a safe home. They also let your insurance company know that you were protecting your space against theft or home invasion. If you outfit your team with panic buttons, you’re creating a safer, more accountable work environment. You should probably also check with your insurance company if that also means that you’re entitled to a discount or added incentives.

Don’t panic tip: Ask your accountant to review current insurance costs and to compare to see if other services offer lower rates for companies using panic buttons.

Related: Businesses Are Increasingly Providing Personal Panic Buttons to Employees

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4. You could be sending the right message:

For the past year or so, New York bodega owners have been pressing city officials to pass a bill that would reimburse bodega owners for panic buttons. An article on MSN reported that owners of small groceries would feel safer knowing they could immediately communicate with law enforcement officials or family members if the worst happened. By creating an instant communications strategy for you and your team, you’re already informing them that you take their safety above all. It’s also a good way of allowing even a casual observer to immediately know that by wearing a panic button at all times, even a staffer who appears isolated is connected to a larger team and potentially to law enforcement officials. Before deciding on your approach, though, it might be wise to have a discussion with local law enforcement officials about expected protocol, since the article also stated that police would prefer to know what they might be walking into in case of an emergency.

Don’t panic tip: Pay attention to trends in both your neighborhood and industry before making a major decision or investment.

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5. You believe in customer service above all:

This one might sound slightly counterintuitive; after all, how can having a staffer wear a panic button show customers how much they’re valued? The answer is two-fold. By having a distraction-free communication device, you’re allowing your employees to have an undistracted connection with your customers. There’s no phone just out of view, distracting them during their workday, and your employees aren’t spending most of the day swiping instead of working. In our first point, we mentioned that giving every staff member a panic button also gave them a sense of security. Your staff can better concentrate on the customers in front of them or tasks at hand. Knowing that help is a button press away allows them to do the best job possible and keep customers happy without distraction. ​

Don’t panic tip: Remember to train staff on best practices for using panic buttons. Hold test drills regularly to reassure staff response rates.

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The Relay difference:

If you’re looking for a solution that’s compliant, affordable and efficient, you’ve come to the right place. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and you offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

If the past year taught us anything, it’s that there isn’t a single right way to communicate or interact with each other. Some people thrive on Zoom meetings since it gives them a sense of virtual face-to-face connection – and a reason to brush their hair. Some people find that direct messaging through Twitter or Facebook, or Slack gives them a sense of camaraderie that doesn’t overtake their workflow. Still, others have discovered that when managing remote teams, having a walkie-talkie is the only reliable way to have consistent and immediate communication methods…or at least that’s the goal. And it’s a trend that keeps growing.

In mid-December, MarketWatch reported that the global walkie-talkie market was expected to reach $19.7 billion by the year 2027. And previous estimates for 2020 completely changed due to the COVID-19 crisis from a previously estimated $11.5 billion to a whopping $19 billion. That’s a lot of walkie-talkie buying.

In case walkie-talkies are in your future, we compiled a list of things to look for before buying your walkie-talkies:

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• Ease of use: No matter your age, learning how to use a new piece of technology can be incredibly time-consuming, not to mention annoying. Ironically, it’s the youngest among us who seem to be the most fearless about trying new things. On the opposite end of the spectrum, an article on Slate from July 2019 discussed why older adults often resist using new technology or aren’t even online. Part of the explanation included the fact that people of any age want the ease of use above all. An interesting takeaway was not that people should be trying harder to adapt, but companies should design devices and software providing value. That holds true for creating products to be used by all.

Before you buy, ask yourself: Is it easy to use for both you and your team? How long will it take for your entire team to feel comfortable using your new walkie-talkies? If you’re worried it might take too long, you’re probably choosing the wrong walkie-talkies.

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• Reliability: Did you ever notice how some people buy the same car or phone brand with only the model upgraded time after time? Often it’s less about trading up and more about merely upgrading a product they already know and trust. In late December, Forbes asked 12 leaders from the Forbes Technology Council to share some of their predictions for 2021. We took note of the idea of aggressive infrastructure modernization, especially this part “to make business elastic, available, reliable, and secure—in a word, resilient.” We all want to bounce back after the past year’s uncertainty, but without a reliable communication system, too much can get lost in the process.​

Before you buy, do a reliability test run: How reliable is your new walkie-talkie system? What happens when you have a distanced staff, when the weather is unpredictable or when someone is on the road? If your primary communication device is unreliable, your business and business reputation will suffer.

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• Grows with you and your needs: Old-time walkie-talkies are outdated in many ways not because of their size (and they are huge!), but because of the limitations. In the early days of walkie-talkies, channels were limited, and there was no way of knowing who was listening in on your conversation. And let’s not even talk about the fact that connectivity was never a sure thing. As your company grows — and your needs change — it’s crucial to have a two-way radio system that almost effortlessly grows with you.

Before you buy, have a conversation: While it’s easy to research any company online, reviews can often be skewed based on their needs and not your own. Relay helps you to create a highly-personalized network for your staff. Contact us to find out how to set up your network or how we can help you grow your communication system along with your business.

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• The trust factor: As savvy internet and technology users, we’ve all gotten pretty good at understanding scams or unsavory types. It’s a bit harder, though, to figure out when a product or system recommended by a friend or ad, isn’t quite what it seems. There’s a reason that Kelley Blue Book has become the trusted source for reviewing and researching used cars, it’s a definitive guide to shopping wisely or understanding what your vehicle is worth. If only there was a universal source to research every other product as well.

Before you buy, ask around: While it’s easy to rely on glossy advertising, when it comes to buying something like a walkie-talkie system, you’re probably better off asking your colleagues for the companies or brands they trust most. And if you’re not sure which brand is for you and your team, take a step back and pay attention to the companies or walkie-talkies people talk about most often. Sometimes word of mouth is worth the most.

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• No hidden fees or contracts: Remember when buying a cell phone meant attaching yourself to a prohibitive contract for years? Walkie-talkies are supposed to afford you and your staff a sense of freedom while also remaining connected. Having hidden fees that keep growing, or even contracts that inhibit your company’s growth can detract from the idea of merely being able to communicate whenever necessary.

Before you buy, read the fine print: We don’t mean to brag (okay, maybe just a little), but we’re incredibly proud of the fact that not only are our products almost effortless to set up and use, we don’t hide our pricing structure or surprise users with hidden costs. We invite you to have a quick look at our pricing structure and try out our system for 30 days before deciding if we’re right for each other.