Survey Finds Web Meetings Are Increasing, Companies Getting Greener

As the focus on 'Going Green' increases in today's workplace, the latest survey by unified communication services provider, Genesys (News - Alert) reveals that companies have become much greener in the last year.

 

According to the latest survey, travel is down and virtual meetings are up as companies increase their attention on Green behaviors.

 

The Genesys "Earth Day Green Survey" looked to more than 18,000 customers to reveal how behaviors are changing in the workplace to address environmental concerns.

 

According to the survey's findings, 56 percent of respondents recognized meaningful steps within their company to become Greener since the last Earth Day.

 

Within companies, a main focus is the reduction of travel, and particularly, travel that can be avoided through the use of Web conferencing and other technologies. According to the survey, 62 percent of respondents said their employers either issued companywide policies to reduce travel or are having manager more closely monitor travel.

Not only does a Web meeting help save on travel costs, but it also makes it possible to work more productively and efficiently regardless of where users are located.

 

According to the survey, 87 percent of meetings with people not located in the same office are now conducted virtually by phone or a Web meeting. This trend is also making its way into the office place, where 40 percent of meetings with people located in the same office are now also being conducted virtually.

A Web Meeting also makes it possible for employees to attend important meetings, and collaborate regardless of where they are working from. Thirty-two percent of the survey respondents said they work during their vacations at least half the time or “always,” and nearly 60 percent said they would prefer to use a phone or Web meeting to take part in important meeting and have their views known, even while on vacation, rather than let it pass by because they are away.

 

Denise Persson, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Genesys said, “Virtual meetings that take place by phone and web conference really started as part of a movement to save costs both in dollars and environmental pollution, and reduced travel continues to be one of the biggest impacts we can make on our environment. But now, people have embraced virtual meetings as a way to manage work and personal life more on their own terms, mixing work and play in a way previous generations never imagined. People are doing nearly half of their onsite meetings virtually because they find it more efficient. And they are even choosing to tap into important work conversations while on vacation, because it’s so easy to do so. This trend will grow and make for a more balanced work and life even as it produces a cleaner environment.”

Genesys Meeting Center provides the ability for any user with a phone or Internet connection to meet with colleagues, customers and partners via Web meetings and conference calls from anywhere, at any time.