Virtual Office Featured Article

The Many Business Benefits of Video Communications

April 28, 2017
By Laura Stotler, TMCnet Contributing Editor

We live in a hectic world where omni-channel communications are becoming pervasive and people want to use their own devices for work, no matter where they happen to be located. The BYOD culture certainly presents management challenges for businesses, but it also enables a host of benefits. Particularly when it comes to collaboration, technologies like video communications can facilitate innovation and can even help organizations save money in the long run.


A recent article from communications specialists Phone.com (News - Alert) outlines why video is so important and how it can benefit businesses from a cost standpoint. Not only does video facilitate communications and collaboration, but it enables individuals to meet virtually without ever leaving their home, office, car, etc. That’s a pretty important capability considering team members can have ad hoc meetings with very little scheduling and without having to travel to a central location or pay the costs associated with that. Similarly, companies don’t have to pay for food and beverages or deal with the scheduling and related costs of taking up a large conference area with video communications.

Unlike phone calls, email and messaging, video enables workers to see each other during a call. This is an important part of interpersonal communications and the intricate body language that goes along with it. And team members don’t have to be located halfway around the world from each other to take advantage of the benefits of video communications. Even people working in the same office can have trouble connecting in person and getting their schedules aligned. Video offers an easy solution for face-to-face collaboration without the hassle of blocking off large chunks of time to get issues resolved.

Additional benefits of video communications include increased productivity for remote workers, as video calls can keep employees on point and focused. Video may also be used for client meetings, reducing the time and money associated with a face-to-face meeting and the wining and dining that may go along with it. And video may also be used for recruiting and interviewing new talent, letting organizations virtually meet a prospective new worker before going through the trouble of scheduling a face-to-face meeting.

Finally, video communications can go a long way toward improving the work-life balance of employees. Meetings can be conducted from virtually anywhere, freeing up employees to get their work done while also dealing with pressing issues at home. The result is happier employees, less sick days, increased productivity and less downtime overall. And that’s a win-win for businesses and employees alike.




Edited by Alicia Young

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