Video conferencing has been a widespread solution for conducting business meetings with people across the globe since the inception of Skype video calling way back in 2003. Suddenly, people could do business remotely with anyone who also had the software anywhere in the world, greatly reducing costs and connecting people while they stayed in their own offices.
Technology has moved on a lot in the past 15 years, but that doesn’t mean that video conferencing has been replaced. In fact, it’s still the best solution for business owners to build relationships and secure deals with people around the world without leaving their desks.
Here’s why you should be utilizing video conferencing as much as possible in your business in 2018 – there’s still much potential to unlock.
Cut Costs
Video conferences mean that you can chat as good as in person with someone a half-hour drive away, or a 20-hour flight away. Business trips have been happening for decades that could have been conducted via a simple video conference.
Try switching your next business trip to a video conference. Although the method may be a bit less relaxed than meeting in person for lunch to discuss things, you will save so much money by not having to travel across the world to get your project completed.
Save Time
Arranging a video conference with multiple partners and clients all at the same time allows you to discuss business together in real-time, as if you were all sat around the same table.
Imagine if this weren’t a possibility – you would have to conduct individual phone calls; wait for email replies from all parties; and try to make a cohesive plan with lots of separate pieces of information – a nightmare! (You wouldn’t believe how many businesses still operate on this model, though…)
Video conferencing allows you to gather all information from all parties at once, and iron out any differences or difficulties then and there, saving everyone infinite amounts of time, and meaning that projects can move along swiftly. If you haven’t implemented video calling for this reason in your business yet – what are you waiting for? Suggest it to your partners soon to get your newest project rolling.
Build Rapport
When in the past you would have to make do with calling people on the telephone, sending letters, trading formal stunted emails or getting on a plane to meet someone, video conferencing means you can have full meetings face-to-face. This means you can share jokes, get to know people and expand your network while knowing their body language and demeanor, making the process of building a solid rapport with your business contacts infinitely easier.
As with any meeting, you will need a schedule of things to discuss and a plan of what you need to ascertain from the meeting. Video conferences allow you to get information from all sides and to listen to all the other business people interact with each other too, giving you much more insight into other companies’ business practices.
How to Curate Professional Video Conferences
Video conferences require as much organizational consideration and effort as putting on a real-life business meeting. You need to ensure you have all the necessary equipment to make the conference run smoothly for everyone involved.
To achieve this, you’ll all need:
- The right phone system to hear each other clearly
- High-quality professional web cam – blurry cameras will impede the meeting
- Super-fast broadband connection that won’t falter or cut out when conducting calls over long distances
- Up-to-date sharing software so you can send files, videos and other material over the web, and read ones sent to you.
All of these things are necessary for everyone involved to have to share a successful video conference – luckily all of this equipment is readily available to businesses. If you don’t have some of these devices or software, update your company’s equipment now to start benefitting from conducting business from the comfort of your office.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
