Small businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and are continuing to struggle. Unlike larger enterprises, they don’t have massive resources for deployment. They need to be more creative in coping with the current realities of work. Many have also allowed their employees to perform remote work which comes with its own benefits and challenges. It can provide added convenience for some but it can also result in disruptions for others. It’s clear that working remotely calls for new tools and processes. For example, small businesses are using free video conferencing to conduct their meetings.
Continuous Collaboration
A lot of work projects are done in groups. Several individuals must come together to complete the tasks and move things forward. They need to be able to talk freely and touch base on a regular basis. Otherwise, they might end up moving in different directions. In an office, people can just set up a meeting and show up at the appointed hour. They can bounce ideas off of each other to find the best solutions. They can keep the group updated with their progress every day. With free video conferencing, this can continue despite the physical distance.
Ease of Communication
Other forms of communication exist and these can indeed be useful for certain needs. For example, instant messaging apps can be great for less intrusive discussions as people can pop in and out as they become available. Those who miss the live discussions can just read the text. It is also possible to share images and video clips. Email is also there for official communications and file attachments. Video conferencing can be used for more focused meetings and presentations. Users can take advantage of the audio-visual medium for greater understanding.
Increase Engagement
It’s easy to disengage with work when you are isolated in your own home. Workers stop feeling part of the business and of their teams. Instead, they seem like machines that churn out deliverables day after day. They might not even get involved in text-based group discussions. In a video conference, people can check on each other and employees can increase their engagement.
Maintain Team Spirit
Of course, these interactions are not just for professional tasks. Businesses want to maintain a team spirit so that they can retain their talents and make sure that needs are being met. Video conferencing is simply the closest thing available to face-to-face meetings today. There can be time allotted to checking on workers and seeing to it that they are all doing well.