What is the real impact of video conferences on the new work environment?
Two years ago, face-to-face meetings were the standard for effective teamwork in companies of any size. Today, as virtual workspaces are becoming the new normal, video conferences take the central spot for handling remote teams and global customers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we work, and one of the most notable changes is the increased reliance on video conferences. Video conferencing software like Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Microsoft Teams have become essential tools for remotely connecting with co-workers and clients. Even though video meeting technology is not new, the global pandemic led to a surge in video conferencing and web conferencing software as businesses adopt remote working arrangements. Many industry experts believe that video conferencing solutions will have a lifelong impact on how we communicate and collaborate.
During the first weeks after the lockdowns, users downloaded a record 62 million video conferencing applications; considered a risky and panic action in time, the virtual conferencing software industry proved to provide sustainable solutions that can facilitate daily business operations.
In the article below, you will find out what statistics show the real influence of video and web conferencing software in today’s work arrangements. Read on to learn how virtual communication and collaboration tools reshape your business reality, becoming the primary option for team/remote/virtual meetings.
Video conferencing is going to stay, and here is why
There are multiple reasons why video conferencing has become so popular lately. First, it helps bridge the geographical gap between team members working from different locations. Second, video conferencing makes it easier to have face-to-face interactions with people who are not in the same room, which can help to build rapport and trust. Third, video conferencing can be more efficient than other methods, such as email or phone calls.
Despite the many advantages of video conferencing, some downsides are also to consider. One of the main complaints about video conferencing is that it can be difficult to keep everyone’s attention when multiple people are on the video call.
Why does video conferencing make a difference?
Non-verbal communication represents 93% of the communication itself.
Words alone are a powerful tool for communication, yet they are insufficient to cover all the aspects of a discussion. Vocal nuances and tonal inflections often add more value to the conversation between employees who do not share the same office or workspace. That makes the phone call a more efficient solution than pure text-based communications.
Still, something important is missing to achieve the same feeling as attending an in-person/face-to-face meeting. The missing piece is called body language. According to industry experts, 93% of the real meaning hidden in words comes from non-verbal gestures. These numbers are crucial for team meetings with colleagues who work remotely.
While speaking tone is part of these nonverbal cues, real understanding comes from body language – including facial expression, body posture, and other relevant visual information. So video conferencing enables participants to read carefully the body language of other attendees and correspond accordingly. Communication is easy and seamless when we observe the person we speak to.
Experts in human behavior state that we unconsciously analyze the signs of the speaker, trying to find consistency between a person’s face, voice, and body language. By interpreting these signals together, we can understand the true meaning of the words spoken and react in the right way. So the discussion will be productive.
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Video conferencing is a strategic tool in the hiring process. 67% of the candidates find interviewing via video a preferable option.
The pandemic has also forced employers to change their approach when recruiting and interviewing candidates. With social distancing regulations in place, companies had to get creative when meeting potential new hires.
Video conferencing provides an excellent opportunity for employers to meet candidates virtually without putting anyone’s health at risk. Moreover, studies show that 67% of the candidates find interviewing via video a preferable option. This number is likely to grow in the future as more and more companies will adopt this practice. Video conferencing is a safer and more efficient option as it saves time and money.
It allows HR managers to determine on time if the candidate will be the right fit for the company by evaluating their overall behavior, especially non-verbal. Compared to non-visual communication channels, video conferencing gives you full experience when conducting interviews with remote candidates.
The hybrid work model is here to stay as 55% of the companies plan to apply it in post-covid times.
The advantages of remote work for both employees and employers are many for the two parties. More than half of the business owners (55%) are considering implementing a work from home option or hybrid work model for employees working part-time in the office and part-time in another location. So, the challenge of managing distributed teams effectively will remain when the global pandemic is over. Video conferencing solutions will be a major tool for efficiently handling that process.
Video conferencing statistics related to remote work
Before the Covid outbreak, companies started to adopt smart communication technologies that enabled their remote teams to connect. Many business owners were reluctant to implement web and video conferencing, claiming nothing could replace in-person meetings.
Then it all changed, and organizations were forced to integrate video conferencing solutions into their communications strategies. In 2020 60% more employees have been joining video meetings regularly compared to 2019. 75% of the workers stated they were more productive thanks to the new enhanced solutions like video conference apps. Laptops and desktop computers were among the preferable devices for video calls for almost 80% of the employees. For nearly 90% of the respondents communicating via video was the most convenient option. The main reason 80% of the employees prefer working from home is to avoid the daily commute.
Video conferencing is a great supporter of teamwork
Video conferencing solutions function as a powerful platform for successful collaboration, which boosts productivity despite the hints during the switch from in-office to work from home employment arrangements.
For 75% of the remote employees, the new flexible arrangements are comfortable and allow them to focus better on their job. Nearly 80% of the personnel state that working from home improves their work satisfaction when remote employees use the right communication and collaboration tools like video conferencing. 98% of team members claim that thanks to video meetings, the relationships in the company have improved even when not everyone shares the same office space.
How do video conferencing programs enhance work efficiency?
Working from home can lower the effectiveness of teams as they cannot communicate daily in person. Therefore, video conferences can be a game-changer as they give the remote meeting participants the feeling of leading a real face-to-face conversation.
93% of the nonverbal cues can be lost when communicating via messages, email, or voice only. 43% of employees whose job requires constant traveling to meet clients or colleagues state they prefer to keep video meetings as a primary option to communicate and collaborate. For 9 out of 10 respondents, video conferencing tools enable them to finish their tasks faster. Companies that invest in video conferencing equipment expect up to 25% less employee turnover. 89% of workers who embrace remote work say that video meetings improve the relationships of team members when they work on joint projects.
Who are the main users of video conferencing tools?
Companies of all sizes have adopted video conferences as a secure tool to connect to remote employees, partners, or customers. Remote work – from home, a coworking space, or a coffee shop- can be challenging as you miss in-person meetings. That’s why so many organizations embrace this advanced communication solution.
83% of the enterprises with over 250 employees plan to invest in video calling platforms.78% of the big corporations have already implemented video conferences as part of their communications strategy. 66% of the job applicants consider being interviewed via video calls. For nearly 30% of small businesses buying a video conference application is a must.
Health and education systems are among the sectors that have adopted video conference technology to a greater extent. The healthcare industry has been using video conferencing for patient consultations, second opinions from specialists, and training. Teachers and professors use video meetings to connect with students who cannot attend class in person.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in the use of video conferencing and web conferencing software as businesses adopt remote working arrangements. The global pandemic has accelerated the adoption of video conferencing by companies of all sizes. Today’s data and statistics show us how strongly video conferences have impacted how we work.
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