The video chat revolution is here. What seemed like a distant dream just a few short years ago is now not only possible, but booming in popularity.
Video chat programs have become so prolific that some brands are even being used as verbs, such as Face Timing or Skyping, instead of nouns. People of all ages and all walks of life can now call each other using their smart phones or personal computers, can now see and be seen from opposite sides of the planet. And as this technology becomes more affordable and accessible, more and more people are using it not only in their personal lives, but in their professional ones as well. Here are a few methods you can use to streamline your life and work, all by using today’s cutting edge gear.
Revolutionize Job Interviews
Face to face is generally considered to be the best method of interviewing someone, because it allows the person on either end of the interview get to know if the candidate is a great personality match for the company. A resume can only tell so much, and a face to face interview can help form that personal connection with a prospective employee. However, it used to only be possible to interview someone by having them travel to a location. Now, however, interviews on the other side of the country can be done remotely. While technical issues can arise, as Campus to Career reminds applicants in their interview guide, the benefits to video chat interviews far outweigh the costs. You can make a positive, professional impact from the comfort of your own home, or at least your own zip code.
Troubleshoot Technical Issues like Never Before
We’ve all been there in some way or another. A client or a family member calls you up, unable to get their TV, computer, or other device to work. It used to be that the only solution was to try to get them to describe the problem and then talk them through the solution, step by step. But now, especially for those in the technology business, video conferencing is the new solution for IT related troubleshooting. Some video chat programs, such as BlueJeans, not only allow you to share a live feed but also diagrams, spreadsheets and other files during the call. By having both participants on video, the problem and the solution alike can be acted out in real time. Instead of gently coaxing a stressed client through finding the right cable on the back of their TV monitor, you can now show them exactly what to do and see exactly what they’re seeing. When problems arise, and they always do, you can now solve them as effectively as sending team members to fix problems on site can be.
Stay Connected Anywhere
BusinessInsider reports that around 72% of Americans own smartphones, the vast majority of which come with microphones, cameras and speakers all built in. This means that many employees have near constant access to a device that makes a video call as easy as pulling their phone out of their pocket and tapping to connect. While many may still choose to travel with their laptops, a smartphone is always at hand. Furthermore, businesses such as hotels, cafes and restaurants are offering free Wi-Fi to their customers meaning that even in so called dead zones with poor cellular service, it’s still easy for a traveling businessman to be able to join in on a conference call. And for times when weather or family issues constrain an employee at home, and as more and more people work out of a home office, using video chat allows them to still be fully present for meetings.
Reach Out to More Clients and Employees
In today’s busy times, it can be hard for everyone’s schedules to line up for meetings and conferences. On top of this, as businesses become global at a rising rate, it’s becoming necessary to connect with professionals from across the globe. Getting everyone in the same room can be expensive at best and impossible at worst. That’s where video conferencing comes in. By using this technology, it’s possible to communicate in real time regardless of location. No longer will jet lag wear down the pace of meetings, draining time and energy from employees as their bodies try to adapt to the strain of travel. Now, employees and clients alike can speak, see, and listen to each other no matter where they might live.
We’re in a new era of connectivity and convenience, where grandparents can watch their grandbabies first steps from out of state using the same software used to clinch that multi-million dollar partnership deal with clients on the other side of the world. Take full advantage of the twenty-first century’s greatest advancements yet, and boost your communication skills to new heights.
