The unexpected circumstances that the spread of COVID-19 brought along last year have certainly changed the way we live our everyday lives. With physical distance becoming a major concern, the way many companies do business has seen some adjustments as well and the development of certain technologies that were already being utilized to some extent was sped up. However, some of these new practices are likely here to stay – and one of them is video conferencing. With its many benefits, video conferencing is both the present and the future of business. Here are a few reasons why.
It is simple and convenient
One of the biggest advantages of video conferencing lies in its convenience. Regular conferences need every participant to be at the premises. It requires a lot of organization from a logistic point of view and this naturally means that delays are an expectable part of the process. While video conferencing does not entirely eliminate possible delays, it is undeniable that it is simpler for you to organize and more convenient for participants to attend. They can enter the meeting with the click of a button and get back to their work with another. Once you have an established etiquette concerning video conferences, the benefits become clear.
Work from home is the new norm
Working from home was imposed on many people as the circumstances dictated last year. However, companies and employees alike discovered previously unknown advantages this arrangement can bring to both parties. Many work-from-home employees say that they would not mind or even prefer to continue working this way at least a few days of the week. If this trend prevails even after the pandemic, videoconferencing is going to be a norm, rather than an emergency necessity, at least complementing in-person meetings.
It opens up a new talent pool
As we have already mentioned, video conferencing allows participants to enter a meeting instantly, wherever they may be. This highlights another important benefit of videoconferencing. Considering that it does not matter where your employees are, your company acquires access to a much greater talent pool. In today’s competitive business world, this is not something to be neglected. In addition, an international workforce can not only give you an advantage in terms of expertise, but it also diversifies your work collective, which is more important than ever in today’s overconnected world.
Videoconferencing is cost-effective
Time is money, and this is especially true in the case of businesses that are trying hard to minimize their expenses in the current crisis. As mentioned, video conferencing is easy to organize, which in itself already cuts back on how much a meeting costs for your company. But what’s even more important is that it is time-efficient. Nobody has to so much as leave their desks to attend the meeting. Considering just how much time an average employee wastes on meetings when talking about regular office settings, video conferencing has the potential to provide value to any business by improving productivity and eliminating redundancy.
It provides a seamless and modern experience
Video conferencing might have posed a challenge to the average company a few years ago. With the rapid development of technology, though, today this is not the case anymore. With the latest video conferencing solutions, not only can you achieve a seamless experience but also a presentation that even in-person meetings of a few years back would not be able to achieve. Due to the market need, these tools are better optimized and more widely available than ever before, which means that any company can implement them, from the smallest businesses to the largest corporations. Turning to services specialized in this area will also disperse any worries one might have about security. Utilizing cutting-edge tools will also place your company itself on the cutting edge. Nowadays, no business can afford to lag behind.
It is engaging and effective
Finally, another reason why videoconferencing has proved to be so practical and is likely to remain a relevant tool even after the pandemic ends and operations return to normal is that it is as effective as an online communication tool can be. As opposed to phone calls, the presence of both audio and visuals makes the setup much more engaging and the information communicated much more easily retainable. When AR and VR get widely implemented in this sector, these benefits will become even more prominent.
Technology has come a long way, and today, video conferencing can be a natural part of any company’s operations. It cuts back on time and expenses spent on meetings, it places your company on the cutting edge, it communicates your ideas effectively and it opens up a slew of new opportunities in the form of international talent. Considering all of these benefits, it is clear that this practice that spread wide and far as a result of the pandemic is here to stay and will become a mainstay of national and international business in the future.
Mike is an Australian business consulting specialist. He’s working with companies that outsource their IT maintenance. He often writes about technology, business and marketing and is a regular contributor on several websites.
