Video conferencing is a powerful technology that allows people to visually communicate with each other across a long distance. Many people seem to forget that it is still subject to the rules of etiquette, however, and wear inappropriate clothing or perform actions that are distracting to the other attendees.
You should run a quick test on the video conference equipment an hour or so before the meeting. This can help to reveal any technical issues that might disrupt the session and force everyone to reschedule.
A video conference session can be ruined if you can’t see what’s going on. Make sure to close all the windows ahead of time and set up curtains to block the sunlight. You can then use the interior lighting to illuminate the video conference.
You should always be on time (or a bit early, if possible) for a video conference session. It’s unprofessional to make your coworkers wait, and tardiness will often leave a bad impression with potential clients or partners.
You might be attending the video conference from home or a business trip, but that doesn’t mean you should slouch in your chair. Sit up straight and try to move as little as possible when other people are speaking.
This should probably go without saying, but don’t shout during a video conference. The microphone will respond poorly and people will likely wince from the experience. You shouldn’t whisper, either – the other attendees may turn up the volume in order to hear you, and then hurt their ears when someone speaks at normal decibel levels.
One of the minor issues with video conferencing is the camera can sometimes lose focus if a person is wearing a brightly-colored outfit or one that has narrow stripes down the side. Stick to muted or dark colors – you won’t be as distracting, and it looks more professional in any case.
Video conferencing systems require a large amount of bandwidth in order to work properly. If a person attending the conference doesn’t have a strong enough internet connection, they may expect a short delay between a person speaking and hearing what they said. It is therefore considered good etiquette to wait a second before answering any questions.
People who talk over each other during a video conference session will sometimes cause audio feedback and echoes. You should always allow the person to finish what they are saying before making your response.
Leading cloud communication companies like Mitel, 8X8, Jive and RingCentral are helping companies shift to remote work through their premium video conferencing technologies. And right now, they're all doing it for free! Our new whitepaper provides all the details on the best free trials and special deals from these companies, as well as many more vendors who are at the top of the cloud communication/video conferencing industry. Unsure about which video conferencing software is a perfect fit for your business? We can also assist you to search for, compare and select the right solution based on your organization’s unique requirements! more
Video conferencing solutions are easily accessible and affordable due to advancements in cloud and mobile tools, giving businesses the opportunity to improve and personalize communications through video connections, embrace a remote workforce, and enjoy other business benefits like reduced costs. Our 2019 Year-In-Review explores all of our favorite video conferencing providers, features, and innovations of the year and takes a peek at the trends on the horizon in 2020. more