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videoconferencing

2020 has been a period of adjustment for businesses everywhere. A sudden transition to remote work has necessitated that employees utilize technology to communicate with one another. Email and phone conversations have certainly become more important than ever, but in recent months, another technology has come to the forefront of business interaction—videoconferencing for business.

Videoconferencing is exactly what it sounds like. Multiple people in different locations can talk to each other through a video camera and microphone. There are a variety of virtual meeting software that video conferences can be facilitated through, including Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, Zoom, Skype, and even Facebook Messenger, with more options popping up since March. The only other equipment you need is likely already on your desk or in your pocket—most computers and smartphones have cameras and microphones built-in. Besides this accessibility, videoconferencing has a range of other qualities that could positively impact your business.

The Benefits of Videoconferencing For Business

  1. Reduced Cost

Saving money is never a bad thing, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies are already having to make difficult financial decisions. Most virtual meeting software have free or low-cost options, with no subscription or set-up fees. You’ll also save money on travel expenses, which can be significant if you have to travel long distances or travel often.

  1. Increased Productivity/ Time-Management

According to 2019 data, 75% of workers who use video collaboration experience an increase in productivity. Their reasoning? Phone meetings are harder to follow and in-person meetings can be derailed easily. However, video conferencing mixes the two perfectly. These virtual meetings are typically scheduled in advance and often with a time limit, which can help keep members of a meeting on-task. However, the ability to see other people and read some degree of facial expression can keep members of the meeting engaged. Videoconferencing also cuts out the time cost of traveling and meeting set-up. There are no papers to print and no projector to inevitably fail minutes before you’re meant to begin!

  1. Screen-Sharing

A key advantage of videoconferencing, especially over phone call meetings, is screen-sharing. Most virtual meeting software offer the option to share your screen with other meeting participants. This can come in handy in a lot of situations—to share a presentation, demonstrate a process, or explain a problem, just to name a few. Screen-sharing also helps keep meeting members on the same page and hold their attention.

  1. Flexibility

Flexibility is an auxiliary advantage of not needing to travel – going hand-in-hand with saved time and cost. A difficult part of planning many in-person meetings is coordinating a time and place that works for each person involved. With videoconferencing, place is no longer a concern. Videoconferencing can be conducted even if participants are scattered across the country, or even the world.

  1. Build and maintain team connections

Both the email conversation and the phone meeting, while each fine methods of remote interaction, are somewhat impersonal. It’s difficult to form or maintain meaningful connections with other participants. To be honest, there’s no real replacement for an in-person meeting when it comes to relationship-building. However, at times when that is not feasible to meet in-person—such as in the wake of a global pandemic—video meetings can offer some assistance in this area. Being able to read facial expressions and contextualize tones of voice can be paramount in understanding and connecting with team members or clients. In fact, 89% of current remote workers say that video conferencing helps them feel connected to their team and their work.

  1. BONUS: Health and Safety

Employee and client health and safety is perhaps the most important aspect of doing business, especially now. Having video conferences, both internally and externally, ensures that your people can continue to do good work in an environment that they feel comfortable in through the COVID-19 pandemic.

While these last few months have been unusual to say the least, Media Venue has been using our time to learn how to best serve our clients moving forward. We miss being able to meet with clients face-to-face. However, we understand that travel and in-person meetings will be difficult for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, Media Venue is happy to announce that we now have full videoconferencing capabilities at our business! Each Media Venue staff member is equipped with a webcam and microphone at their desks. We hope that you find this capability helpful. We are grateful to our clients for their flexibility during this time. Media Venue is proud to be your advertising and marketing partner!

To learn more or set up a video conference with the MV team, please email weaks@mediavenue.com or call 502-855-4783.

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