Large parts of the world are entering the post-COVID era. Naturally, as we transition from one era to another, we ask ourselves if the practices we used are still relevant to us. Many companies, which let all or most of its employees work remotely for close to a year and a half, are currently trying to figure out if they should go back to the office full-time, or try innovative hybrid work models that could potentially benefit all parties involved.
The Freedom to Move Forward
The key to making a graceful transition from one era to another is the ability to try things without worrying about the consequences. In our dynamic reality, video conferencing platforms are powerful and impactful tools that provide companies with the flexibility they need to experiment with new work models.
As companies try to adjust to post-COVID, they are finding out that video conferencing is more than just a tool that helped them get through the pandemic. In fact, video conference post COVID is helping them recalibrate their employee culture. It is also allowing them to develop and move forward as organizations.
Video Conference Post COVID – The Advantages
We all know that video conferencing makes work easier. That’s a no brainer. In addition, a Qualtrics Research survey commissioned by Zoom found out that roughly two thirds of individuals all over the world who use video conferencing for business purposes expect to continue relying on hybrid models moving forward, due to the flexibility and balance they provide.
In this article, we are focusing on the surprising benefits of video conferencing in this particular point in time – the post-COVID era – for organizations. Here goes:
- Redefining the remote work environment: Remote work doesn’t have to be from home or a café. It doesn’t have to be work in transit, either. It can be a meeting between team members, not in the office but in a satellite location leased by the organization just for that purpose. Meeting in remote hubs allows several team members to get together in a designated location that may not require long commutes, while other members log on from the office or other locations. It can also be used by a single employee to connect with other team members in different locations. The facility should be equipped with high-quality hardware, but even if it isn’t, team members can activate Zoom from their laptops to communicate with just about anyone.
- Employee empowerment: Video conference post COVID provides a unique opportunity to let employees choose their own work environment terms. Some prefer the comfort and flexibility of working mostly from home. Others prefer a dynamic office environment where they can stand out and advance their career. According to a recently published Harvard Business Review article, hybrid work models can enable organizations to help their employees structure their own preferences. Of course, this requires organizations to take a closer look at their employees’ performance and productivity , but hey, that’s a good thing, right?
The Workflow that Fits Your Organization Perfectly
The advantages of video conference go beyond the individual level. They affect the entire organization for the better.
- Different structures for different professional roles: Who says that everyone has to conform to the same office/home work ratio? According to Harvard Business Review, in order to maximize effectiveness, businesses should realize that different professions require different levels of interaction. For example, professions that require tons of human interaction may use video conferencing as a supplement to their office brainstorming sessions, while creative professions (design, marketing, content and more) can work more from home and check in at the office periodically. Once you factor in specific personalities, you realize that things can get complicated, but the bottom line is that video conferencing is allowing businesses to understand their employees’ needs like never before. By catering to these needs, they will most likely increase production and satisfaction levels.
- Creating new cultures: Ask any organizational consultant, and he or she will tell you that the most important parameter for success is culture. Yet culture is constantly changing. Organizations with toxic cultures can improve, and organizations with great cultures must continue to reinvent themselves. The post-COVID era has many organizations trying to figure out how to improve their culture moving forward, and one possible answer is video conferencing. Video conferencing stands for values such as trust, effectiveness, flexibility and innovation. Organizations that use video conferencing right, are injecting these positive values into their cultures.
- Technological advancement: We live in a world that doesn’t stop evolving, even for a nanosecond. Organizations that want to succeed need to use technology to their advantage. This means keeping up to date with all the latest innovations that can make life easier for decision makers and employees. In the past year, video conferencing platforms have been breaking serious barriers. Let’s take Zoom as an example. Almost everyone uses this popular video conferencing platform, but it continues to surprise even its most dedicated users – just check out these amazing enhancements (virtual receptionist, anyone?). Want another example? Check out this up-and-coming conference room system from DTEN – DTEN Go with Mate that provides a seamless and affordable work experience.
Video Conferencing is More than Meets the Eye
Video conferencing helps businesspeople communicate. It breaks barriers and maximizes comfort levels. But in fact, it does so much more.
During the pandemic, video conferencing helped everyone stay safe while maintaining a new kind of normal. Now, as we emerge from the pandemic, everything is different. Organizations have changed. Employees have changed. Client expectations have changed. And video conferencing continues to support everything and everyone, on their quest to figure out how the post-COVID normal should look like. It’s doing more than helping people meet with one another. It is shaping new realities.
