The past few years have seen incredible changes in many parts of our daily lives, not least in the way we work, with the hybrid division of work across multiple locations now commonplace for many businesses.
Video conferencing is now undoubtedly a part of our working lives, with a good webcam, microphone or headphone among the most vital devices we own. But now we (hopefully) all know how to start and continue a video call without realizing we’re on mute, what are the next steps to make sure we’re using the technology to the fullest at work?
One of the best things about the current big players in the video conferencing space is how easy it is to use many of the key tools.
Whether it’s Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or any other offer, with just a few clicks you can get set up and talk to colleagues, co-workers or family.
Nowadays, many of us must have video conferencing setups arranged in our homes, and hopefully it will help our business owner with all the necessary tools. Number of employees working remotely up 140% since 2005 (Opens in a new tab)And that number will continue to grow over the next few years, so making sure workers are connected remotely has never been more important.
If remote employees aren’t already seeing the benefits of video conferencing, now is the time to set them up with the right equipment, whether it’s a stand-alone webcam, business headset, microphones, or whatever is needed. There is no doubt that working remotely leads to a significant increase in productivity, and having the right tools for the job is a big part of that.
When workers are in the office, it is important to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible, with proper video conferencing services playing a key role.
Recent research from Upwork (Opens in a new tab) He claimed that video conferencing is being used more than other systems such as messaging software, project productivity software and even corporate management software, so making sure you are able to provide your office with the hardware your workers need is vital.
By 2025, Gartner predicts (Opens in a new tab) 50% of all virtual enterprise events will happen on a video meeting platform that has already been deployed by a company, so making sure you are satisfied with the system you have deployed is a helpful first step.
Instead of having employees join the video calls from their desks, and risk disturbing those around them by talking too loudly, consider investing in a space dedicated to video calls such as a boardroom or conference room. This can be equipped with everything you need to ensure that your calls are productive, of high quality and get the result you want.
As mentioned, being able to see who you’re talking to is very important, so having a quality screen is vital. The larger the screen, the more participants you will be able to accommodate when making a video call, so consider investing in a larger 4K screen if it’s within your budget.
Some displays may come with a built-in webcam, but for high-quality video conferencing calls, it’s worth watching on an HD webcam. The higher the resolution, the better the quality for everyone involved in the call, and having a clear picture can help raise morale and team feel when separating different locations.
Although many TVs and monitors come with built-in speakers, consider purchasing a separate, connected speaker that can sit in the middle of your room’s seats. Having a central sound source means that everyone in the room can hear exactly what is being said. Many high-end speakers will also come with built-in microphones, which again means that everyone in the room is able to contribute and everyone on the call can hear clearly.
Some speaker and mic settings are even able to detect exactly who is speaking within the meeting room, and tilt and focus accordingly to make sure they are heard, so if your meetings are busy it seems smart to invest in such a smart solution.
Ultimately – even though remote work is now more common than ever – your employees will likely be looking for reliable laptops for their video conferencing needs. While additional microphones, cameras, and other gadgets can enhance their video conferencing experience, without the firm foundation of a reliable computer, workers will struggle.
Making sure they are equipped with a device that has long-lasting battery life along with high-quality audio and video wherever employees are is critical to keeping everyone connected. Doing that extra bit of research can go a long way.
So it can be seen that success in video conferencing is not just about using the right software – the hardware you use can also play a vital role. If you’re looking to make your calls more visible and efficient, now is the time to make a serious investment in getting the right kit to make sure your voices are heard, and your work seen as clearly as possible.
