With the rise of global teams and mobile workers, it is no longer a matter of if you will use video conferencing; it is only a matter of when. In today’s competitive global marketplace, successful businesses understand that their remote workers require communication tools that support the virtual workplace. To support innovation and collaboration, employees need to be more closely connected, even when physically they may be growing apart.

Why is having video conferencing capability a must have in today’s work environments?

Better Communication

The main draw of including video versus simply using traditional teleconferences is having the ability to see the other participants. Through a study conducted by Professor Albert Mehrabian, we know that communication is only 7 percent words, 38 percent tone of voice and an incredible 55 percent body language. Only by adding video to teleconference can you have that critical 55 percent element of communication. When participants can see each other’s facial expressions and body language as they speak and listen to one another, they create more effective communication.

Improve Engagement

Video conferencing technology allows teams who might never meet in person to virtually come together and meet face to face. Employees today are leveraging collaboration technology like video conferencing to quickly communicate more broadly and access more information at a faster rate. It helps individuals obtain information when it is convenient for them; empowering your workforce by providing greater flexibility that leads to greater employee satisfaction.

Enhance Productivity

Video conferencing offers greater meeting efficiency. It reduces the need for unproductive travel time to have face to face meetings. The service also increases the number of participants that can be on involved, increasing the ability to reach subject matter experts and decision makers to move your projects forward. This also helps create shorter and more structured meetings, and provides faster exchange of information.

Increase Accountability

During a standard audio conference it’s easy to get distracted. An employee can call in to the conference and then leave the room, check/answer emails, or get interrupted by a colleague and be sidetracked with another conversation. The meeting organizer on the other end of the phone would never be the wiser. By adding video you add accountability to each participant since they know they are on camera too. This ensures that participants are more likely to pay attention and be present at their computer during the conference.

Today’s lighter and more flexible video conferencing solutions are cost-effective tools transforming communication and productivity. Video conferencing lets users see and respond to facial expressions and body language which in turn helps employees interact and collaborate with one another. It also brings together business partners and customers on a more intimate level that can lead to deeper, more effective relationships. Having more productive meetings offers significant benefit to any organizations bottom line.