Odds are, you currently use a video conferencing platform in your business. Whether it’s Microsoft Teams or Zoom, tools like these provide an amazing service that lets you easily connect with your team and clients from anywhere.
But as great as these platforms can be, your approach to meetings and communication in your business can take a lot of adjusting, especially as we continue to work our way out of the pandemic. In this article, we’ll outline some pros and cons of video conferencing software in business and how you can continue to craft your balance between virtual and in-person communication.
Before we get into it, we will note that Innovative is an IT company with some bias in this field. We believe in these tools and their capabilities, but we still value in-person communication and understand that each business will likely need its own strategy.
There are plenty of video conferencing options on the market (Teams and Zoom are two of the more common ones), and each tool has its own functionality and features. For the sake of this article, we’ll be talking broadly about video conferencing as a whole and the value that comes from properly implemented and managed solutions.
The Rise of Video Conferencing
In 2020, many of us found ourselves working from home, needing a way to communicate and hold meetings virtually. This was a new world for many businesses, as 30% of organizations worldwide began using web conferencing solutions for the first time due to COVID-19.
Now, it’s four years later, and hybrid/remote work isn’t going anywhere. So, how can we continue to leverage these tools while maintaining in-person communication and company culture? Let’s start by breaking down the pros and cons.
Pros of Video Conferencing in Business
- Connect with people from any location with an internet connection
- Flexibility for a hybrid or remote workforce
- Reduce Travel
- Easy screen sharing and recording options
Video conferencing is the ultimate convenience. It’s one of those technologies that used to exist only in movies and TV shows like The Jetsons but is now part of our everyday work lives. Even outside of the business realm, apps like Facetime, Skype, and Snapchat have revolutionized the way we communicate with one another.
This technology has opened up a new world of communication for businesses, allowing them to connect with their workforce and clients like never before. Many of the people reading this article likely use some form of video conferencing software in their day-to-day work lives.
While video conferencing technology will continue to advance and be a top communication tool, we do have to take a step back and understand its drawbacks so we can utilize it better and still maintain a balance with in-person communication.
Cons of Video Conferencing in Business
- Loss of certain intricacies of in-person interaction
- Possible unstable internet connections
- Difficulty maintaining culture with a hybrid or remote workforce
As useful as this technology is, there is currently no substitute for the total value of in-person meetings and communication. Some interactions can’t be replicated on a screen, no different than how text and email feel different from real-life conversations.
In addition, building team culture and camaraderie can be more difficult when most or all interactions occur in virtual meetings. This is where the conversation becomes more nuanced. This isn’t to say there is no value in a virtual meeting, but there are just certain intricacies of human interaction that can be hard to capture on Teams or Zoom.
Take it from an experienced business leader, Andrew Blair, on the Innovative Leadership podcast:
“I notice that when it's a teleconference or a Zoom conference, there's not quite as much varying opinion. People are a little less likely to raise their hand and say, well, how about this way? Or how about that way? And I think a certain part of that is the receptiveness of the people that you're saying that to. Are you getting a smile? Are you getting a wince? Are you getting acceptance? And I at least find that harder to interpret on a screen. And I think the fact of the matter is, part of the way we advance the ball in business is not by always agreeing, but by hearing, welcoming, debating, different points of view.”
How Should My Business Approach Video Conferencing?
Now, that brings us to the big question of how your business should approach this. The simple and maybe frustrating answer is that there is no perfect answer for every business. What we can recommend is that you leverage both virtual and in-person communication while keeping your business goals and the preferences of your workforce in mind.
If your business values team culture and feels that it’s better attained through in-person meetings or events, carve out some time to have them in the office while considering that they likely value the flexibility and convenience of hybrid or remote work. Gauge your team’s opinions and see how they feel. Odds are it will be a mixed bag, but it should give you a better idea of which direction to lean toward.
One tip we can give if your organization tends to favor video conferencing is to have cameras turned on. If this isn’t something you’re used to, there is no need to fear. Most everyone will eventually adjust to talking on camera, which will get you closer to face-to-face interaction than if everyone used voice only.
Looking to Leverage Video Conferencing Technology?
We can talk all day about balancing in-person and virtual communication. Still, none of the virtual tools will reach their full potential unless they are implemented and managed by the right people for your business. An MSP can help you get the most out of your video conferencing software and help ensure that your network and devices are up to speed with today’s tools.