Not only is technology changing at a rapid pace, so is the way we do business. Long
gone are the days of traveling for a business meeting when one can easily video
conference saving much time and money.
Video conferencing has become even more important during the 2020 pandemic as
companies were mandated to institute ‘work from home’ protocols. The COVID-19
pandemic has, as some put it, virtualized the way we do business, study, and
communicate. With the increased use of virtual communication, companies and
organizations are recognizing that there are some advantages they never realized.
Why Video Conferencing
Five reasons why video conferencing can often be more effective than face-to-face
meetings:
1. Video Conferencing Is More Engaging Than Just Audio
When we change our communication from an audio to a video call the feeling and
etiquette of the conversation changes. That sense of distance is removed, and people
are often more present in the call. There is eye contact and non-verbal cues that are
now available in the conversation which discourages multi-tasking or zoning out.
Overall video conferencing results in better communication as well as closer
relationships between clients and co-workers alike.
2. Video Conferencing More Efficient & Effective as In Person
There are some jobs that require back-to-back meetings many days of the week. This
is often challenging and tiresome for those who have offices and clients spread across
cities, provinces and even internationally. Not only can it be stressful, but travel can
also be costly. Gas, hotels, flights, meals… it all adds up!
Video conferencing has enabled people in those types of positions not only to cut down
on travel time, which in turn cut down on expenses, but also providing more time to
focus on priorities.
Often much time is spent traveling for a meeting that can range from just a few minutes
to a couple of hours. This just does not make sense when technology has provided us
with the perfect solution of video conferencing.
4. Video Conferencing Keeps Teams Connected
Many will say that ‘face-to-face’ is the more effective way to build relationships with
clients, co-workers, or essentially in any conversation held. That being said, there is
definitely a different vibe to being in person than on a conference call.
Video conferencing really is the closest thing to working together in person. That visual
component is keeping companies from closing their doors, classes and schools open,
and keeping friends and families together. The visual component, being able to see
that other person, bring such an important element to the conversation. It has
revolutionized so many aspects of all of our lives.
5. Video Conferencing Means Things Get Done
Emails and texts play a large roll in the way we communicate with each other in all
arenas – personal & professional. There are some who shy away from phone calls or
video calls and have a preference for email or text only.
This is fine in most respects but there can be a few pitfalls with communication via email
and texts. Miscommunications and assumptions are often as every individual has their
own different writing styles things are taken out of context or ultimately just not
understood.
The other downfall with written correspondence is time. By the time one person reads
their message and responds there can be hours – days – weeks in between. Not only
belaboring a project or subject resulting in ‘going around in circles’!
A quick video conference call could be all that was needed. When required, like on a
job site, a person could quickly just point the camera to the issue and in live time
resolve the problem. Software programs allow for screen sharing and so a quick show
and tell could be all that is required to things along and have everyone on the same
page.
Contact Us
We underestimate the power behind video conferencing. Even when one day our world
returns to some version of normality, companies, organizations and educational
institutions should consider the number of positives to video conferencing over audio,
emails and texts.
For more information on how to have your organizations spacesoutfitted for video conferencing!