What role does video conferencing play in the business world?

At a time when remote networking is becoming more common and businesses are expanding globally to take advantage of new business opportunities, video conferencing is a top tool to keep in touch without having to travel the length and breadth of the globe for meetings.

Not only does it ensure you can all talk in real time, a video conferencing tool will also make conversations more intimate as if all participants are in the same room as you.

But how do you decide which video conferencing tool is right for you? We explain the benefits of using video conferencing rather than standard call conferencing and how to choose one.

The benefits of business video conferencing

The most obvious advantage of using video conferencing in your company is that you can limit the travel demands of your team, saving costs and hopefully, giving them more time to concentrate on the important aspects of business rather than commuting to meetings.

Video conferencing can also boost motivation and productivity of your team as they can concentrate better on what's being said rather than during a phone call, where it's likely attention could wander.

Because you can see the faces of your colleagues, clients or potential partners during a video conference, you are able to better understand facial expressions and body language to work out how those you're talking to are feeling about the conversation, ensuring there are fewer misunderstandings and business will run more smoothly.

Key considerations for business video conferencing success

First, you'll need to decide the reasoning behind buying a video conferencing tool and your specific requirements - there's no point investing heavily if you don't need the full suite of services a particular option will offer.

For example, if it's to hold a huge conference with the entire business situated around the globe, you'll need a high capacity service that allows you to add as many people as possible to the call without losing any quality or suffering latency. If you just want to hold one-to-one meetings, you can opt for a simpler (often free) video conferencing tool that supports fewer participants, while not having to worry about bandwidth.

As you'll likely be video conferencing with people outside of the office, ensure your video conferencing option is easy to use, because you won't be there in person to explain how to use it. How to make the call, join a call or launch a presentation/screenshare must be simple and straightforward.

Another consideration is whether you need to share a screen, share documents or give a presentation during the conference and if you do, it's worth ensuring these features are easy to access while on a call. App integration support is also key, especially if you'll be sharing files while connected.

If those you are connecting with are remote, you may need to choose a mobile-supported video conferencing solution too, enabling anyone to join, wherever they may be, with the same support as if everyone were on a desktop.

The final consideration should be to think about the future - is it likely your requirements will change? If so, keep these in mind and make sure the option you choose offers the scalability your require.

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