As the pandemic accelerated the use of popular video calling software and gear, companies scrambled to find cameras, microphones, headsets, and related video calling hardware to facilitate face-to-face communication without the need of meeting in person. Many companies quickly found that availability, cost, and quality were a hurdle to finding video communication software.

Although many work-from-home executives and companies got it right, the vast majority failed — and are still struggling — to meet the basic requirements for incorporating quality video calling into their business communications. Since communication is the single most important aspect of building a successful team, perfecting video communications has never been more important. In fact, the move to video was accelerating long before the pandemic as people started to realize the value of video over an old-fashioned voice call. Between 2016 and 2019, there was a 175% increase in live video usage. In 2020, that shot up by an additional 535%! Continued growth is projected to increase at around 23% CAGR from 2021 to 2027.

Why Video?

As the workforce evolves, there are several reasons businesses should be incorporating higher quality video communications, including:

Video Facilitates Team Building

Sure, conference calls are convenient and have their own advantages. But, it’s impossible for certain team members, like graphic designers, to get their concepts across effectively when they are restricted to standard audio-only conference calls. Video calls allow all team members to get on the same page and collaborate by being able to all view the concepts and pitch in their ideas to help bring them to life in a way that will best serve the clients. Thanks to screen sharing, designers, architects, and so forth can cast their designs for all to see.

Video Reveals Non-Verbal Communication

So much gets lost in translation over email, text messaging, and even voice calling, especially body language. Video communication allows non-verbal cues to be expressed, seen, and understood, increasing clarity, productivity, and the overall communication experience.

This comes in handy for team collaboration, client calls, and even IT and other help desk issues. If something’s gone wrong with a WFH employee’s computer, the fix might be overly technical and complicated. For the non-technical person, listening to an IT professional explain step after step what they must do to remedy the problem can create an even bigger headache. Video calling allows the employee to show the IT professional exactly what’s not working and allows them to walk the employee through the fix — no complex lost-in-translation jargon needed!

Video Nurtures Relationships

We already talked about how great video is for fostering collaboration and team-building among employees. But, it’s also great when it comes to client relationships. There’s something about seeing a huge smile and warm eyes that could never translate over a voice call. This dimension of video calling helps build trust and credibility. Eye contact is huge when it comes to trust-building and clients feeling seen and understood. Monthly or quarterly video calls help keep client relationships strong and everybody feeling as if they are on the same page.

Video Powers the Remote Workforce

As the workforce shifts to a work-from-home or at least a hybrid model, video is critical. Video allows remote employees to feel connected by providing a simple way for all employees to communicate and share ideas — no matter where in the world they are video chatting from. Video can be used for entire office meetings or smaller departmental brainstorming sessions and project updates. Video check-ins allow managers to assess their employees’ performance and form bonds with employees they may have never met in person. A connected workforce is an empowered workforce.

Video Helps the Onboarding Process

Did you know that a great employee onboarding process can improve employee retention by as much as 82% and productivity by more than 70%? Onboarding is key to making sure new employees have all of the tools they need to succeed. Retention of this new information is improved over video, increasing your return on investment. Video onboarding also allows new employees to bond easier with other team members and feel more comfortable reaching out to ask questions that could end up in big mistakes if they feel too nervous or isolated to ask.

Ensuring Video Communication Success

As video takes center stage, it’s not enough to merely turn your camera on and show up. As the use of video evolves into a skill that all companies will require moving forward, keep these tips in mind in order to put your company’s best face forward on video calls:

• Invest in the right equipment. As business communications evolve, blurry laptop video conferencing isn’t going to cut it. Instead, companies should be allocating significant portions of their budgets to equipment that will make their video conferencing look as professional as possible. This includes high-definition cameras, lighting, and microphones.
• Get to know your software, programs, and all other technology that helps facilitate your video calls. Provide training to your employees.
• Eliminate distractions — whether it’s your kids or a busy wall behind you, aim for a quiet, clear, non-distracting space to conduct video calls in.
• Be engaging and authentic. Be yourself on video chat just as you would if you were meeting in person.
• Urge others to join the conversation. Some employees are naturally going to feel more comfortable over video than others. Those who may be feeling a bit uneasy may just need a little more encouragement from you. Tell them they’re doing a great job, and you understand there may be an adjustment period. Consider holding video workshops for those employees to get some extra practice in — then watch them captivate their audiences and shine!

How RemoteWorx Can Help

Moving forward, effective video communications will be essential to managing remote and hybrid teams. RemoteWorx is a web-based Wellbeing Development Platform and a curated Work+Life Shop. We focus on technology and initiatives that directly improve team communications, wellness, morale, and productivity. Learn more about how video communications can influence employee wellbeing at RemoteWorx.com.