The increasing globalization of businesses and their markets these days are driving companies to adopt more collaborative measures in order to counteract the challenges they’re faced with everyday. But exactly what kind of benefits do companies get from their web conferencing software? And what advantages does web conferencing really have as effective tools of investment made to hold a part of the daily work life? These are only few of the questions that companies are asking with the emerging advantages of web conferencing and collaboration technologies.
Web Conferencing Advantages: An Alternative to Travel
“The average business traveler will spend three years in flight, two years traveling to and from airports, 28 months waiting for flights (that are on time), 11 months waiting for connections, and more than three months just searching for a parking spot, according to the National Business Travel Association,” reports James McKeown of Stampede Technologies, a marker of collaborative and web conferencing software solutions.
He further adds, “In light of this, many organizations are reconsidering all but mission-critical face-to-face meetings. Nimble companies are demanding better, faster, and cheaper answers to their meeting needs.” And thus, the web conferencing revolution came to be.
One of the distinct advantages of web conferencing software is that it can be used as an alternative to travel. So instead of going out there and meeting prospects or employees face-to-face, executives now have an opportunity to stay at the office. This way, they can accomplish more without the high cost of travel.
“As leaders cut back on travel, conference calls are yesterday’s way of meeting,” Jaclyn Kostner, Ph.D., author of Bionic eTeamwork, observes. “Conference calls work as a supplement to face-to-face meetings, but when people are not traveling and getting to know one another, conference calls alone are ineffective.” The supplementation of conference calls with web casting and web conferencing is an advantage in that it increases productivity and helps participants get work done faster.
Web Conferencing Advantages: Online Education
Another aspect of the real world where web conferencing can show its advantage is education. Now that so many people are comfortable with email, online education programs and seminars based on interactive chat and web conferencing software are gaining in popularity.
“While there is less personal experience in an online meeting, there are huge advantages to holding online meetings, including no travel costs and no travel time,” says Al Rickard, president of Association of Visions.
There are of course other avenues in life where web conferencing shows distinct advantages. The above two are but a tip of the iceberg.
