7 Business Benefits of Video Conferencing

When the pandemic first hit and many of us started working from home for the first time, video conferences became a necessary tool for newly formed remote workforces.

However, as the pandemic dragged on, remote employees slowly dropped off of the video bandwagon.

Even as companies start to open office spaces up again, video calls will remain an essential tool for internal and external communication.

How can you encourage your users to continue using video as part of their everyday work lives?

This is a question even we, The KR Group, faced when we had to move our QBR’s, departmental meetings, and happy hours to a virtual platform.

As an organization, we have long possessed the technical expertise to implement and use video throughout our organization, but it was still a culture shift.

By using video more frequently and in new ways, we’ve recognized some of the best use cases for this technology.

Some of the benefits of continuing to use video in remote or hybrid meetings include:

  1. Video conferences are more engaging.
  2. Video holds your users accountable during meetings.
  3. Video calls help you read the room.
  4. Video conferences can increase productivity.
  5. Video calls give your users increased availability.
  6. Video conferences keep remote employees connected.
  7. You can build relationships through video calls.

There’s no denying that video is an irreversible shift in business communication. The question is if you’ll embrace it.

1.  Video conferences are more engaging.

Even as the newness of video wears off, it still requires more attention than a phone call.

You have to be intentional about looking at the camera from time to time and using nonverbal language.

The payoff is that video conferencing is more engaging.

2.  Video holds your users accountable during meetings.

Since video requires more attention and intention than an email or even a phone call, it also helps you hold your users accountable.

I think back to when I was in college, and a professor said we could use laptops to take notes but warned she’d know if we were browsing Facebook.

How? The two tasks look vastly different to an observer. Similarly, you can tell when a meeting participant is engaged in the call or looking at something in another window.

This allows you a unique opportunity to be held and hold others accountable when using video meetings, and this isn’t as easily accomplished over a traditional phone call.

In other words, video adds the human element back to virtual meetings. Everyone can tell when someone wants to actively participate or not.

3.  Video calls help you read the room.

Another significant benefit of seeing who you’re on a call with is it allows you to see and interpret their non-verbal communication.

video conferencing benefits

At one point or another, we’ve all been on a phone call with someone where we have no idea what they’re thinking.

Are they frustrated with the conversation? Multi-tasking? Just need another cup of coffee?

Video helps minimize these questions (and create a more productive meeting). For example, if a participant has poured a third cup of coffee during your meeting, you can assume they likely want to keep the meeting short.

However, remember the opposite is true, too. If you’re on an external video call, your prospective or existing clients can see if you’re nervous, dismissive, or distracted.

4.  Video conferences can increase productivity.

If your users collaborate with other employees on projects, video can empower them and make them more productive.

For example, whenever I am working on something technical that would take more than two or three emails with my supervisor, we video call over Webex.

Before the pandemic, we would have worked through the problem together at one of our desks. However, since we both work from home, that isn’t possible at the moment.

A video call allows us to work through the problems while talking to each other in real-time. We can read each other’s expressions to understand the conversation better. And, if needed, we can also share content.

Overall, it helps us be more productive.

5.  Video calls give your users increased availability.

Video calls are also a great way to schedule meetings if you or a participant have a packed schedule.

Since virtual meetings don’t require any commute time, they’re easier to fit into a busy day. You can also schedule video meetings on short notice since you can join from anywhere.

Video calls offer the flexibility of a phone call with some of the nonverbal features of an in-person meeting. 

6.  Video conferences keep remote employees connected to culture.

Using video meetings is also better at fostering company culture than email or instant messages.

video conferencing benefits

Even if you have employees frequently sending GIFs in the company chat, there is still only so much culture you can build without seeing each other’s faces.

Whether you’re still working remotely or have employees spread out geographically, video conferences allow you to offer a way to meet and get to know each other better.

7.  You can build relationships through video calls.

In the past year, I’ve made multiple professional relationships through video conferences. And for the most part, I know these people just as well as if I had met them in person.

I know about their families, their mannerisms, what their office spaces look like. The only thing I don’t know is how tall they are or what color pants they wear.

I genuinely don’t think I’d have this same relationship if I had only emailed or audio-called these people.

Using video in your business

Video is a great tool for engaging your users and holding them accountable during meetings. However, it isn’t a perfect replacement for ad-hoc conversations and in-person meetings.

You can’t shake a hand over video. Scheduling a video conference on short notice simply isn’t the same as stopping by a colleague’s desk to chat about your kids.

Video culture is different than in-person culture, but as we adjust to a post-pandemic world, the workforce will look more hybrid than before.

For businesses to continue prioritizing clear communication, culture, and productivity, video conferences are a must.

They’ll allow you to increase productivity and keep remote employees connected to your business.

For more information about how video meetings can empower your business, check out this free ebook from Cisco on using video in a remote or hybrid workplace.

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