Advantages and Disadvantages of Video Communication

The work environment of last year has been replaced by video communication, enabling businesses to communicate fast and effectively. The technology allows users to host meetings online with multiple correspondents regardless of the geographical location. As such, more and more organizations are choosing video communication as their primary tool for communicating. From hiring to strategy meetings, this technology can be accessed via smartphones, mobile devices and desktops. Businesses can connect with multiple correspondents while talking to them and seeing them in real time. But like all communication tools, video communication has its pros and cons. Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of video communication.

Advantages of Video Communication:

1. Reduces Travel Cost

The oldest known advantage of this technology is reduced travel expenses. A decade ago, the only way to collaborate with was to travel to the meeting. That meant spending cash on transportation, hotel reservations, staff meals and other travel costs. Video communication solves all these problems. With video communication, attendees can join online meetings from anywhere, which significantly minimizes travel costs and time required for travelling. The technology can accomplish same results in less time and at the fraction of the cost business would spend on trips abroad.

2. Enhances Teamwork

Video communication connects teams across the globe, eliminating the barriers created by face-to-face or the need to commute to meetings. Colleagues can collaborate without restraints and make faster decisions. Also, meetings can be called immediately globally with little notice, where teams can come together to discuss projects and jointly work through documents. The technology is also helpful for education. Remote employees can train jointly, and video conference recording lets users record lessons and re-watch them when they have time.

3. Improved Communication

With video communication meetings, start and end-times are usually agreed upon before the video call starts, allowing for a more detailed discussion. Also, attendees are likely to stay focused on the agenda of the meeting. Rather than frustrating emails from clients where some meanings are not clearly understood, attendees can see body language and expressions from clients, colleagues, and partners, making communication clearer. Expressions of dissatisfaction or concern can easily be addressed than through voicemails and emails, making this communications the nearest thing to being in the same room with all the attendees.

4. More Flexible

Regardless of how much notice is given for a meeting, it is unavoidable that there will be days when certain participants can't attend for some reason. With face-to-face meeting, this can be a big blow especially if their presence is important to the meeting. The benefit of video communication is that the meeting can still run as scheduled despite unanticipated situations that stop participants from attending. Employees will no longer have lame excuses when they fail to attend the meeting. Being able to connect with them through video communication removes a whole pile of pressure from your day.

5. Increased Productivity

We've all been to meetings where some attendees arrive late or every participant talks over everybody else, making the conference go over time. Team members might feel discouraged when they leave the meeting room feeling misunderstood and as though they were ignored during the discussion. Video communication ensures that team members connect effectively, bonding their relationships. This boosts their morale and keeps communication flowing smoothly. Also, since video communication makes communication easier, it helps employees attain the balance they require in order to feel content and fulfilled in their lives. 

Disadvantages of Video Communication:

1. Can Be Harder to Focus

While video communication offers countless benefits, it takes away from a personal side of discussion. For instance, participants may miss out on the clues given by other people's body language, which can be more revealing than what they're actually trying to say. As such, it can be harder to engage someone through a video screen, meaning it can be harder to focus on what is being discussed in the meeting. Instead of being in the ambiance of the meeting, you are in your own atmosphere which may limit how you receive and retain the information.

2. Time Delay between Responses

The second drawback of video communication is that there may be a small time delay between responses, which can result to stilted and boring discussion. This is one major problem that most service providers in the industry continue to face. ezTalks Cloud Meetings, one of the most popular video conferencing platforms on the market, has successfully solved this problem. The platform offers a high-quality audio and video transmission affect to make sure that users engage in discussions without interruption. The platform can also accommodate between 100 and 500 participants.

3. The Technology Can Fail

Video communication is dependent on technology, which might fail in the middle of a discussion. This can be frustrating especially if you are racing against time to complete an important project. One thing that does not happen when meeting face-to-face is being disconnected when holding a meeting. This can happen on free or cheap equipment. So, free tools may not be best solution for businesses, hospitals or schools. When critical issues relating to such industries are to be discussed quality equipment may be the only solution.

4. Audio Quality Is Poor

Another issue is audio quality especially with large audience. It might be difficult to hear the speaker without the earphones or if the speaker is not near the microphone. This is because the further away one is from the mic the harder it is to hear them. Moreover, you would need quality speakers in order to hear the entire room. This explains why you need to invest in top-notch speakers and microphones. In any meeting, hearing what is being discussed is of great importance than seeing what the audience is saying and failing to understand.

Conclusion:

Everything has it pros and cons, and video communication is certainly no exception. While this technology has some drawbacks, its advantages far outweigh the downsides. If you are considering video communication, it might be appropriate to start with an inexpensive solution. With unlimited platforms in the market, it might be difficult to choose the right one. We suggest that you choose a platform that comes with the features that your business needs.