Yamaha helps customers and partners with many tips to better manage Smart Working and remote collaboration. In this guide, we outline 7 key benefits of video conferencing that have a huge impact on business relationships and overall productivity. We hope this guide will help you understand the importance of video for effective communication and why it is a great tool for your organization.
Visual Technology, in addition to repurposing this article, offers a selection of products designed to simplify and make video conferencing more convenient
1. Creates a sense of togetherness
A video conferencing system makes it easy to organize meetings in which the entire team can participate. The ability to create a chat with multiple parties, wherever they may be, is a great way to bring diverse teams together and develop deeper collaboration.
2. Put a face to the conversation
Trust is strengthened more quickly in a video conference than in an audio call. When you meet a person face to face, you can see their smile and react to their body language, you can get to know them much more deeply. By seeing how the other party reacts, you can relax and interact more naturally. In short, video conferencing adds a face (and a voice) to a name.
3. Observe nonverbal signals
Humans remember visual information much better than auditory information. Studies have shown that only 7 percent of communication is verbal (i.e., word content), while voice inflection makes up 38 percent and nonverbal signals account for 55 percent. In a video conference, you can see the interlocutor’s body language, gestures, facial expressions, and much more.
4. Increases productivity
Adding video to a conference call can also help increase productivity. Its humanized conversational style can avoid participant distractions that can occur during an audio call, such as checking e-mail. Because common norms of behavior must be adhered to, maintaining eye contact with the other party will make it easier to focus on the conversation and better understand the immediate needs of others.
5. Reduce travel costs and save time
Bringing the team together in person can involve large expenses for the company. Organizing a traditional conference may require flights, accommodation and other costs. In addition, employees cannot go about their normal daily activities for a period of time. Video conferencing allows teams to update easily and as often as they wish. With today’s technologies, video conferencing can seem as natural as face-to-face communications.
6. Take advantage of video conferencing features.
Newer videoconferencing systems offer additional functionality over regular conference phones. Sharing slides, setting polling questions, and real-time collaboration on a document are just some of the tools provided by video conferencing software. These features encourage more natural conversations and greater participant engagement.
7. Cut to the chase
As mentioned earlier, video conferencing saves a lot of time that would normally be spent arranging appointments and traveling. Because of the flexibility and simplicity of video conferencing, impromptu meetings can be held as soon as both parties access the conferencing software. This allows you to get straight to the point, without the usual formalities that take up the first 10 to 15 minutes of a planned “official” conference. When everyone is in sync, you can focus on sharing ideas and solving problems without wasting time.