Due to recent advances in mobile video conferencing software technology and the quickly evolving power of e-commerce, only a few companies conduct essential business meetings solely within the walls of their office buildings. In fact, due to the opportunities intrinsic to a remote workforce, many businesses are opting to conduct day-to-day operations and work using business video calls. However, despite the rising role that business video call technology and the internet play in business, it is undeniable that meaningful human interaction is still a key component of growth and success in any company.
What Is Video Conferencing in Business?
Business video calls are a communication tool that allows individuals or groups in different locations to have virtual face-to-face meetings, eliminating the need for physical travel. In business, video conferencing has become essential for meeting, collaborating with teams to build engagement, and conducting interviews via business video calls.
Business video calls provide many benefits for businesses. It allows companies to connect with employees, partners, and clients in real-time, regardless of their location. This is especially important for companies with employees or partners in different countries or regions, as it saves the time and expense of travel.
Business video calls also offers a more personal touch than traditional conference calls, allowing participants to see and hear each other in real-time, leading to more effective communication and collaboration. Additionally, the ability to share documents and screens during the business video call makes it easier for participants to collaborate on projects and share information.
Video conferencing also enables businesses to conduct virtual training sessions and webinars, allowing them to reach a wider audience without needing physical travel via a business video call. Business video calls can be particularly useful for companies with a global reach or those in industries where continuing education and training are critical.
Business video calls have become a necessary part of the business world, making it easier than ever to conduct meetings and work collaboratively, regardless of where employees are.
Video conferencing software fuses human interaction with technological convenience by allowing companies to connect virtually without sacrificing the significance of meeting face-to-face. Suppose you currently use video conferencing or have been considering implementing video conferencing software to facilitate virtual business meetings or hold presentations for key business partners. In that case, you may have some reservations about forgoing in-person meetings. However, it is possible to create a personal, professional atmosphere in a video conference, complete with meaningful formalities and face-to-face interactions.
When you hold business video conferences that employ the following best practices, you ensure your video calls are personal, professional, and impactful so you can get the best value from your virtual meetings.
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Adhere To Proper Business Video Call Etiquette
To make your business video calls professional and productive, it is important that you establish proper etiquette guidelines that both you and all your attendees understand and follow during a business video call. Here are the important elements of business video call etiquette you should prepare for and practice before and during your business video call:
- Check all audio and video feeds before conducting a business video call to ensure everything is working properly. This will ensure you experience limited issues being heard and seen during your business video call.
- Use eye contact that is appropriate to the cultural practices of your audience.
- Keep things simple, and only display information and tools presenters or attendees will need during your business video call.
- Avoid joining a business video call from a noisy location a avoid the chaos of distracting focus from the important items discussed during the video conference.
Create A Business Video Call Environment That Is Welcoming
Limiting the distractions during a business video call is key to creating a professional meeting experience. Plan to host your business video call in a room that looks professional and organized and does not have distracting wall art or fixtures. If your conference room has windows, be sure to draw the shades to minimize natural lighting and outside distractions during the business video call.
Leverage The Power of The Mute Button
Muting yourself during a business video call or muting your attendees during a presentation is important to convey respect to everyone attending a business video call. Background noises or feedback can easily diminish attendee attention and detract from the content of the meeting, so don’t feel as if you’re being rude by using mute. When the business video call opens to a discussion portion, you can unmute yourself or your audience so everyone can have the opportunity to be heard at the appropriate time.
Maintain the Same Professionality
Meeting virtually through a business video call can be a personal and immersive experience that simulates in-person interaction. For this reason, it is important that you behave as if you’re conducting a meeting in-person and try to maintain the same type of interaction you would experience face-to-face. Here are some tips to help humanize your business video calls:
- Greet the audience and use the same mannerisms and formalities you’d use when meeting in-person.
- Keep appropriate eye contact with the camera.
- Avoid turning your back to the camera or looking down and away too often.
If you need to leave the business video call, obtain acknowledgment or permission from attendees before leaving.
Always Close Unnecessary Apps
Whether you’re hosting a business video call or attending one as a guest, you should close any programs not pertinent to the meeting beforehand. Unnecessary information visible on your screen can be distracting, but it can also present data integrity risks if attendees can see sensitive company information. You should also deactivate or silence any notifications that could pop up and distract you or your attendees during a business video call.
Additionally, try to avoid multi-tasking activities during a business video call. While it may seem like you are being more productive, it will ultimately make it more difficult for you to fully interact and absorb all the material presented and discussed during the business video call.
Take Notes
Keep a pen and a pad of paper handy whenever you’re involved in a business video call. While it may be tempting to try and remember the content of the meeting or type up notes in an on-screen program, neither method has the same retention results as taking handwritten notes during a business video call.
Business video calls are quickly gaining popularity as the preferred way for companies to connect employees, business, partners, and clients. To ensure that all your virtual meetings are professional and meaningful, it is important to comply with business video call best practices.
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