Certainly, many organizations have embraced video conferencing technology. Knowing how video conferencing has changed business for the better might be what it takes to introduce this technology to your operations. Perhaps it’s time to say goodbye to relying on meetings and telephone calls? Is it time to make the switch to video conferencing?
What is Video Conferencing?
Organizations need to understand what video conferencing is before they decide if it is worth embracing this tech themselves. In brief, video conferencing uses the internet and video platforms to connect people from one device to another. Furthermore, many video conferencing platforms have additional features like breakout rooms or screen sharing, which maximize functionality for users.
Examples of video conferencing technology include:
- Microsoft Teams
- Zoom
- FaceTime
- Google Duo
- Business VoIP Solutions
Video conferencing is useful in many business scenarios. Your organization might hold meetings, job training sessions, interviews, or events with stakeholders. Nearly anything you would do face-to-face can happen via video conferencing.
How Video Conferencing Has Changed Business for the Better
Video conferencing has many advantages over audio calls or even in-person meetings. Of course, there is still some work that is best in person. Sometimes a quick phone call will be preferable to a video call. That said, there are many places video conferencing fits. And there are many reasons to choose it over more conventional forms of connection.
First, video conferencing encourages connection with people from all over the world. If your business is working with remote employees, investors, suppliers, or customers, they do not need to travel to your site. In fact, with video conferencing, they do not need to go leave home.
Further, by reducing the need for travel, companies reduce expenses. Whether there is no time for travel or no budget, video conferencing keeps communication going. It also frees up travel time and travel money to pour into other business opportunities.
Because video conferencing allows all participants to see one another, and even documents via screen sharing, it combats phone meeting issues. Of course, people can communicate better face to face. Fortunately, video emulates that. No matter what one’s physical location is, video maintains those critical human connections, facilitating faster decision-making and greater cooperation.
Employees are happier when they can balance life and work with flexibility. Frequent travel and meetings that could be shorter and more efficient, can frustrate staff. By replacing some or all of these gatherings with a video call, employees are likely to be happier. Thus, they may perform better and your firm may also see an improvement to talent retention.
When people are visible on a video screen, they are more likely to engage with other meeting participants. Collaboration is easier when people can see facial expressions and body language, encouraging greater participation from all of those within the meeting. That means projects move more quickly, there are fewer communication errors, and productivity shows an uptick.
Furthermore, much of what people can accomplish via audio conferencing or instant messaging can happen with a video conferencing platform. Technology companies are quickly adapting to the needs of their customers. It is evident that the market likes a simple, unified approach. While some companies may not use all features or functionalities of video conferencing, these tools promote collaboration in whatever form best suits the situation.
Video conferencing, of course, makes it easy to put together a meeting. If something comes up at the last minute, there is no need to book a conference room, make travel plans, or try to bring everyone into one place. People will be able to reach the key players via video, wherever they are.
If your business is concerned with eco-friendliness, you will be happy to know that video conferencing promotes green initiatives. First, of course, is the reduction in travel and all of its energy consumption. Following that, it’s clear that in-person meetings can generate a lot of waste, including printed paper, water bottles, and food waste. It’s perhaps sad but true that switching to video drastically reduces the environmental impact of meetings and events.
All together, these benefits ensure that your business has a competitive advantage over others that have not switched to video conferencing. If you haven’t already incorporated video conferencing into your business, the best time to do so is now. You will be operating more efficiently and effectively than competitors. And you will be able to focus resources on the business operations that matter. Video conferencing is one form of technology that certainly holds a lot of promise in keeping your organization on the cutting edge.
Tor Technologies, LLC can help integrate video conferencing technology into your organization and phone systems. Contact us to learn more!