Why Desk Phones Are Killing Your Business (And Your Office Vibe)
Executive Blog- Techmode President Matthew Look
Remember when desk phones were the pinnacle of office communication? When getting a phone call was actually exciting? Yeah, me neither. These days, desk phones are like that one guy at the party who’s ranting about why everyone should wear Crocs—out of touch and a little bit sad. (Full disclosure: I’m that guy. Love Crocs, don’t care how terrible they look.)
If your office is still clinging to these relics, it’s time to face the music: desk phones aren’t just outdated; they’re actively holding your business back. I’ll admit it—I’m not a big fan of talking on the phone. The irony of writing this article isn’t lost on me. But during the pandemic, when remote work became the norm, I realized something: as much as I dislike phone calls, I hate inefficiency even more. And desk phones? They’re the definition of inefficiency. So, if you’re holding onto yours out of nostalgia or a stubborn “we’ve always done it this way” mindset, it’s time to let go. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
Let’s dive into why it’s time to hang up on office phones for good.
Millennials and Gen Z: The Phone Call-Averse Workforce
Let’s start with the big one: Millennials and Gen Z would rather do almost anything than talk on the phone. These are the same people who communicate in memes and have perfected the art of leaving you on “read.” Forcing them to use a desk phone is like asking them to churn butter by hand—outdated, unnecessary, and borderline absurd.
I’ve seen this firsthand with my kids. I once tried to call my daughter to wish her a happy birthday. Big mistake. After a few rings, she texted me, “Why are you calling? Is everything okay?” In her world, a phone call is reserved for emergencies—like a zombie apocalypse or the Wi-Fi going out.
Brianna Wiest nails it in her article for Forbes. She points out that these generations have grown up with the luxury of responding in their own time. Phone calls, to them, feel like a demand for instant gratification. And honestly, who can blame them? As a GenX’er, I remember a time when you could disappear for hours, bike across town, and no one could reach you unless they tracked you down in person. But today’s young workers? They’ve been tethered to technology since birth, so it’s no wonder they view phone calls as a necessary evil at best.
Desk Phones: The Office’s Worst Kept Secret
If desk phones were a celebrity, they’d be the kind that nobody recognizes anymore. They’re clunky, lack cool features, and let’s be real—they make your office look like a set from The Office. Nothing dates an office more than old desk phones. Meanwhile, softphones are out here thriving, with features like mobile apps, texting, voicemail transcription, calendar integration and presence status that let you know if someone’s already on a call. It’s like having a superpower, but instead of flying, you’re just not interrupting people. Which, honestly, might be better.
Desk Phones: Your Budget’s Best Frenemy
If you think desk phones are just a harmless throwback, think again. They’re budget vampires, draining your resources with every broken handset and power outage. Let’s not forget that these phones require power, so you end up paying for more expensive PoE switches just to keep these relics working. It’s like keeping that old car that barely runs—you keep pouring money into it, but deep down, you know it’s time to let it go.
Interrupting Your Workflow Since Forever
If desk phones had a motto, it would be “Interrupting Productivity Since 1876.” Every time that phone rings, it’s like a fire alarm going off in the middle of a meditation session. You could be knee-deep in a project, in the zone, and then—bam!—a phone call yanks you right out of it.
On any given day of endless emails and meetings, nothing pulls you out of your zone faster than that incessantly ringing phone that not only interrupts you but also disrupts your coworkers in the immediate area.
Desk Phones: The Opposite of Remote Work-Friendly
In a world where remote work is becoming the norm, desk phones hold you back when you should be able to move freely. They’re the office equivalent of a boat anchor, and if you’re still relying on them, you’re basically telling your employees, “We don’t really care if you can work from anywhere.” I realize that remote work is a sore topic for many companies, but it’s cheap disaster recovery insurance. Snowstorm, fire, AC broken—you name it, the ability to shift your workforce home is a huge luxury that gives you flexibility you just don’t have with desk phones.
Desk Phones: A Drain on Your Wallet
Let’s talk money. Ditching desk phones isn’t just about making your office look more modern—it’s about saving cold, hard cash. Most telecommunication cloud companies are subsidizing these dinosaurs in the cost of their cloud licenses, but if you cut them loose, you could bring down your cost per user per month.
The Ironic Personal Angle
As much as I hate phone calls, I hate inefficiency even more. And desk phones? They’re the epitome of inefficiency. So, if you’re holding onto yours out of some misplaced sense of nostalgia, it’s time to let go. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. Desk phones may have had their day in the sun, but that day has long since set. The modern workforce demands flexibility, efficiency, and technology that actually works for them—not against them. So go ahead, hang up those desk phones for good. Your employees, your budget, and yes, even your office vibe will thank you.