SMARTER STRATEGIES

Vanity Proves Challenging in Videoconference Environment

Judy Mottl | Date: 12-17-10 | Comments

Video is beloved as a communication tool, both in the consumer and the home environment. But being on video, during work conference calls, isn�t something many workers are thrilled about and could pose a challenge to adoption and use.

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Vanity Proves Challenging in Videoconference Environment
For all the technology hurdles that have been climbed and cleared in the development of unified communications technology, vendors may have overlooked one big aspect to adoption and use: vanity.

It seems many users, at least 39 percent in the U.K., aren�t too thrilled about being on a video conference call as they�re worried about their appearance. Yet a huge majority, 88 percent, say they use it at home when talking to friends and family.

Then add in the fear of public speaking, another aspect to video conferencing, and the number of reluctant users hits nearly 50 percent.

Those two issues could prove daunting in making video conference tools a mainstay going forward since 86 percent of workers in the U.K. aren�t using the technology for work at this point.

And that doesn�t bode well for the business as the technology can make a huge dent in savings, especially around travel and corporate meeting costs. The price of the technology is now acceptable and it�s pretty much available in any location. Also it�s become very easy to use, so it�s not a big tech support burden. So from all points, video conferencing is a win-win for IT to push forward and be a driver in gaining greater business efficiency and saving money.

Businesses using video reap rewards in increased productivity. It�s also easier and quicker to foster a conversation through video than the slog of e-mail. Simply put, business action takes place more quickly and decision-making gains speed.

Video conferencing can also foster greater collaboration, as the personal interaction of talking real-time, face-to-face is much more powerful than a string of e-mails or even IM chat messages. It can prove vital in new efforts, such as telework, which is gaining ground for the same increases in productivity, efficiency and cost savings.

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