Meetings that Matter: Video Conferencing vs. Web Conferencing

So What is a ? through the written word (such as , IMs and texts), there is Why Video Conferencing To understand the true difference something intangible about the type Video conferencing builds between video conferencing and of collaboration that happens when relationships irrespective of web conferencing, we need to set a group of people come together in distance. In business, it is especially the stage by defining the basics. A person to accomplish a common goal. important to foster strong, meeting is more than a chance to It is this kind of meeting that allows you connected relationships with to gauge the acceptance of the project get a free lunch and stare out the colleagues, customers and vendors, by your employees’ using visual and window. and that type of engagement verbal cues. When you leave a meeting, can be achieved only through Does the Meeting Matter? you not only know what you need genuine, true-to-life interpersonal to achieve next, but you also have a Throughout your career, you have communication. The only possible greater understanding of whether the likely attended countless way to re-create this kind of goals will be met. on a variety of topics: brainstorms, interaction over considerable evaluations, training sessions, project In the same way that technology distance is through the use of high planning and staff meetings, just to has enabled a more efficient way to definition video conferencing. name a few. Meetings are truly a staple share the written word, it has also In 1967, UCLA professors Albert in the business world. But you may find brought forth a number of solutions Mehrabian and Susan R. Ferris yourself wondering, “What is the point for interactive collaboration. If an conducted a series of experiments of gathering a team together in a room in-person meeting is not possible due to explore how the mind for these activities? Why meet face to to time, budget or travel constraints, determines meaning. The results of face to share ideas instead of via solutions such as web conferencing these studies led to a formula that or ?” and video conferencing provide concluded that the interpretation viable alternatives. Let’s examine the The answer is simple. Even though of a message is 7 percent verbal, 38 similarities and differences between the technology enables collaboration percent vocal and 55 percent visual. two. The conclusion was that 93 percent of communication is “nonverbal” No Yes in nature. The implications on business communications are

Telepresence Conference clear. In order to be in total Meet in Person control of shaping your message Video Conference and effectively communicating Web Conference it to constituents, HD video Webinar collaboration is the natural choice. Telephone After all, can your company really Skype afford to leave 93 percent of its Email message to chance? Quality of Experience The Benefits of Web Conferencing Again, these benefits merely describe how web conferencing is different from video conferencing, not why web Another alternative to an in-person meeting is the use of web conferencing would be a better choice for your business. conferencing technology, such as Citrix® GotoMeeting™, Though arguably more cost-effective than many video Cisco® WebEx™, Adobe® Connect™ or ReadyTalk™. All solutions, web conferencing simply does not deliver the same of these offerings typically require a download, installation genuine, lifelike collaboration experience as video technology. or a web browser plug-in in order for them to work—both As is often said, the cheapest, easiest thing to do is usually not for the meeting organizer and the people who are invited the most effective option. to web conference meetings. Having a delay to start the meeting because your participants have to download, install Checklist While Ignoring the Web Conference and configure their web cams or voice-over audio or have to dial an audio bridge with a long number and code can get ››Check email meetings off to a shaky and unproductive start. ››Text your “bestie” ››Work on other projects You may have heard how these tools work from various ››Update Facebook® vendors, but little attention is ever paid to why users should ››Watch cat videos consider this solution in the first place. A recent white paper touted “security” and “customer service” as two priorities to Perhaps the biggest drawback to web conferencing from a consider when purchasing a web conferencing system. The manager’s viewpoint is the inability to prevent multitasking. truth is, aside from some free applications like Skype™, any While juggling multiple tasks is an important skill to cultivate, responsible organization will be able to provide data security a meeting is not the appropriate time to do so. A meeting and will always strive to deliver excellent customer service. is meant to engage all participants, not for the presenter to listen to himself speak. Benefits that Web Conferencing Vendors have Touted Are there compelling reasons to utilize web conferencing? Absolutely, but they have nothing to do with technical ››No equipment required requirements or the core of what a meeting is. ››“Free” or inexpensive ››Less technically challenging to set up ››Lower bandwidth requirements

Video vs. Web Conferencing Features

Google® LifeSize® GotoMeeting™ WebEx™ Skype™ Hangouts™

Offers Life-Like HD Video Audio  X X X X

Works the Way Your Smart Phone Works  X X X X Mobile to Connect Anywhere, Anytime      Record HD Video and Audio Calls with One Button*  X X X X No Conferencing Bridge Line # and Pin # Required  X X   Audio and Video Recording  X X   Does Not Require Download, Install or Browser Plugin*  X X X X Web Conferencing Has Its Place Benefits of Video Conferencing as a viable, cost-effective proposition for Told by Customers organizations with dispersed locations,” A webinar is an excellent example of said Steve Benson, IT coordinator. when a business should implement Video conferencing web conferencing. A webinar is a enables trust. The ideal solution for presentation, seminar or lecture conferencing. presented online. The goal is typically Colorado-based SmartSearch to attract visitors and share relevant Marketing specializes in search Virgin Mobile India, a leading mobile information about a certain industry marketing solutions for their widely service provider, required a cost- topic. Recently, there have been a distributed clients. According to effective communication tool that number of interactive enhancements founder Patricia Hursh, “The biggest provided exceptional audio and video introduced to various webinar platforms decision factors in hiring an agency are quality at very low bandwidths as many such as surveys and polls, but the compatibility with your organization regions in India have a maximum upload ultimate goal is not interaction among and whether your organization trusts limit of 512 Kbps. “Video has found its participants; it is one-way sharing of the agency. Video goes much farther place in basic infrastructure setup for information. in building trust than a voice on the virtually any corporation, which was not the case five years ago. We are excited Several web conferencing vendors now phone.” to be at the forefront in implementing include video capabilities, but managers this vital technology in India,” said must ask themselves if the quality is Meetings were just natural Sanjay Singh, general manager of good enough to experience complete from the start. operations. visual communication, even minor One of the UK’s best known charities, nuances such as a raised eyebrow or Children’s Hospice South West, needed slight frown. Not to mention, a poor Did you Know? a communications tool that could quality video experience such as a provide face-to-face communication The mobile workforce is booming, pixelated or frozen image of your with dispersed work teams. “Video and with more employees colleague can be a serious distraction. conferencing solutions cannot, distributed now than ever before, Here is the bottom line—if you want and should not, be seen as a total now is a great time to find out how to achieve a specific goal in a meeting, replacement for face-to-face meetings. video conferencing from LifeSize a web conference lacks the features But the picture and voice quality is so can improve performance. necessary to enable meaningful human sufficiently good that this technology interactions. Click Here to Access the Full Report should now be actively considered as Meeting Type Benefits

Web Video Face-to-Face Voice/Telephone Conferencing Conferencing Meeting

2-way Communication     Multiway Communication     Show/Share Data X    See Faces X    Ascertain Human Emotion X X   Instant Availability  X   The Decision: Video Conferencing Resources

Simply put, if the meeting matters, you will need to see the Want to learn more about using video conferencing to host people involved in the most lifelike, HD quality as possible. successful meetings that lead to quicker decisions and a If the meeting does not matter, a phone call or email should stronger sense of community? Check out the links below or suffice. A successful meeting requires visual communication, contact us for a demo at 1.512.347.9300 or 1.877.LIFESIZE. which can be accomplished only through video conferencing Video: How Do You LifeSize? Benefits of Video Conferencing in place of a physical meeting. from LifeSize The initial investment in video conferencing technology may Video: Communication in the 21st Century Workforce be more than a web conferencing solution, but the long-term gains are unlimited by building relationships that lead to quick and efficient decision making.

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