First What You Should Know About Video Conferencing
Written: May 27, 2008
Author: Amy Linley
What are the best practices for video conferences? Sales meetings
are prime examples. According to Computer Link Magazine, a notable
firm produced a 3000% percent improvement in the sales-cycle with a
Fortune 500 client by utilizing video conferencing on the internet.
Not only can sales grow when video conferencing but the technology
can be used in the training of employees, brainstorming sessions,
healthcare consultations, interviewing prospective employees and
education. These are just some of the areas that gain substantial
benefits from video conferencing. Friends and families also utilize
video conferences to stay in touch and to celebrate major and minor
events.
There has been much debate in the world of business regarding
face-to-face versus video conferencing. Studies have reached
different conclusions. For example, conclusions have been reached
that worker productivity increases with video conferencing; stays
the same and actually decreases. So what do you do, should you
consider video conferencing at all?
It's important to make the correct choice when deciding whether to
use video conferencing or a face-to-face meeting. The decision can
have a significant influence on the effectiveness of the meeting and
profits for a company. Let's take a look at the types of video
conference meetings that can deliver substantial benefits to
corporations and small businesses.
Meetings Requiring Quick Decisions
Video conferencing provides the opportunity for quick decisions
which just can't be achieved when participants have to hop on an
airplane. Making a swift conclusion based on group input by a
teleconference deprives the primary decision maker the opportunity
to notice body language and facial expressions. These visual cues
can be important factors in determining the confidence the key
members have regarding the decision. Communication experts claim
that 70% of communication is non-verbal and video conferences allows
you to view these non-verbal communications.
Video Conference Sales Meeting
Video conferencing allows decision makers who are out of the office
to be involved in the beginning stages of the sales process. They
also provide a convenient opportunity for important business members
to watch recordings of vital meetings.
Video conference sales meetings communicate with prospective
customers that you are a state-of-the-art company and efficiency and
technology is an important factor in your business strategy. This
could be your "edge" over another firm.
Additionally, video conferences allow sales people to assess the
interest of the prospect and determine if spending time to travel to
a personal meeting is worthwhile.
Insights from an Actual Video Conference Sales Meeting
An article from Computer Link Magazine features an actual case which
demonstrates the significant reduction in the sales-cycle which can
be achieved with video conferences on the Internet. The company
featured in the article received an inquiry from a Fortune 500
company located in Mexico. Through a few emails the two companies
quickly agreed to a time for a video conference. During the meeting
the customer's objectives were examined and a real-time
demonstration of the company's product was provided. This was
followed by a discussion regarding the benefits the client would
receive from the product. That day, another technical review meeting
was scheduled. In less than 29 hours the seller had found a highly
qualified prospect that then had a strong understanding of the
product and was also quite interested in finalizing the sale.
A standard approach to the sales opportunity would typically include
numerous phone calls, mailing brochures, more phone calls and then
traveling to Mexico. The firm estimated it would take from 30 to 45
days with a basic sales approach to accomplish what they achieved in
less than 29 hours.
Video Conferencing versus Teleconferencing
Sales people have the opportunity to demonstrate how their products
function with video conferencing, which simply cannot be done with a
teleconference. Some studies have concluded that live video meetings
are about 80% more helpful at creating a solid bond with people.
Stronger bonds can create more sales.
Although a teleconference differs from a video conference in that it
has the benefit of being inexpensive and can be attended without
being in a designated room or in front of a computer. By this very
nature, teleconferences are still an important business tool and
preferred by some in certain scenarios.
Worker Productivity with Video Conferences
Studies have concluded that constant travel leads to stress,
sometimes depression and a variety of illnesses. This can affect a
business' productivity and employee morale. When people stay home
and utilize virtual collaboration, they may stay healthier and their
productivity is typically higher.
Although somewhat controversial, some studies claim that video
conferencing actually increases productivity. When employees are
together in face-to-face meetings their conversations tend to leave
the topic and perhaps wander over to sports, politics or personal
stories. Video conferencing can help to keep the meeting on track
both in time schedule and agenda. Some companies utilizing video
conferences even claim they can bring products quicker to the
marketplace by reducing the time spent commuting.
Video Conferencing to Train Employees
For companies with numerous locations, significant travel savings
can be had by training with video conferencing. One big benefit is
that employees can watch a recorded training session several times
to make sure they comprehend the instructions.
Connecting Employees
A video conference can solve the problem of branch office employees
feeling they are not personally connected with employees at the main
office. When the company celebrates a new sale or an important
achievement all the employees throughout the country and even world
can celebrate together. Personal bonds will strengthen, which can
lead to increased productivity, improved morale, and thereby lower
turnover rate.
Hiring Employees by way of a Video Conference
You can interview prospective employees from all over the country
when you use video conferencing. You can significantly increase the
chance of hiring the best candidate and saved on travel expenses at
the same time! Some employment recruiters however, have suggested
that this format for employment works best for candidates less than
25 years of age or for preliminary interviews.
Possible Negatives of Long Distance Meetings
There have been some documented studies of the possible negatives of
video conference meetings. According to a study by J. Sniezek and M.
Crede, titled Group Judgment Processes and Outcomes in Video
Conferencing vs. Face-to-Face Groups, the face-to-face meeting
participants displayed a higher level of confidence in the decisions
they made versus participants in long distance meetings.
9 Best Uses For Video Conferences
Some companies have found that employees often go along with the
ideas of the group at their location during long distance
collaborations. It's important for management to review all the top
suggestions from video conferences to prevent this type of "peer
pressure selection" from occurring. Also, participants don't have
the opportunity to get to know the other meeting members during
break times and scheduling an international meeting across numerous
time zones can be difficult. That being said, the savings that a
firm realize with video conferencing may well outweigh any
negatives.
In Conclusion It's Time to Try Video Conferencing
Sales meetings, hiring employees, meetings requiring quick
decisions, and bringing employees together are some of the prominent
best uses for video conferencing. It should be noted that in the
future the term face-to-face meeting may have to be replaced with
the phrase a "handshake meeting." Young people are growing up with
text messaging, seeing their friends' faces on their computers in
real-time. With social websites such as My Space, it's common for
young people to have friends scattered all over the world they have
never actually met in person. Numerous articles on the Internet
mention having face-to-face meetings by way of computers. In the
future, workers might be amazed to learn that their predecessors
actually spent time and money flying on a plane to have a
face-to-face meeting or a "handshake meeting". Perhaps future
generations will think it's best to have all types of communications
with variations on video conferences.
Article Source:
Amy Linley
|
GGI Networks provides educational IT information
about computer networks. The articles are intended for the general
public.
Cisco
WS-C6509 Switch
Used Cisco Catalyst 6509 Chassis, 9 Slot, 15RU, No Fan Tray
Call or Email
Cisco
WS-C6509-E Switch
Used Cisco Catalyst 6500 Enhanced 9-Slot Chassis, 15RU, No PS, No
Fan Tray
Call or Email
|
