Geographically dispersed employees are increasingly common in today’s workplaces. Perhaps you have offices in multiple locations or you have a group of telecommuters that you manage. There are many different challenges that come with supervising employees in multiple locations and time zones, one of the most prominent of them being communication.   At one point in time, telephone conferencing was the preferred method of communication for people in two or more locations. By pressing just a few buttons, team members could connect and converse across multiple locations. While audio conferencing is convenient and cost-effective, it also has some flaws—namely a lack of visual aids that make it easier to focus on the conversation. Then came videoconferencing, which utilizes not only audioconferencing but also a video component that allows

Video conferencing is a reliable and cost-effective alternative to traveling for in-person meetings. It is also much more effective than communicating via telephone in many situations because it allows you to connect visually with the people you’re talking to, demonstrate products, and actually see what you’re discussing.   Although video conferencing cannot replace face-to-face interaction, it is the next closest thing to being there in person. During a video conferencing call, you can see people’s facial expressions and body language, which leads to more effective collaboration.   Video conferencing allows organizations to communicate with colleagues and clients across the country or around the world. The advantages of using video conferencing include decreased travel expenses and a reduced carbon footprint. Videoconferencing also helps participants stay more focused

Going green has become a popular business strategy. With news of declining natural resources and the worsening effects of global warming, achieving sustainability in business operations has become more of a requirement than an option. The public has also come to favor green business practices and has put pressure on companies to become more sustainable. Businesses that don’t want to be left behind have jumped onto the sustainability bandwagon. Going green is also great for an organization’s profitability and bottom line. Below are some sustainability trends that are driving business practices.   Cloud Computing  Moving your organization’s software to the cloud could lead to energy savings, in addition to improving operational efficiency and agility. According to a six-month study conducted by Lawrence

Receptionists have a huge impact on your business. They are the face of your company. Every person who walks through your door will meet your receptionist and form an opinion of your company based on that interaction. If you want to make a great first impression, welcome visitors in style by implementing a visitor management system. If you have a receptionist working the front desk, you might wonder why you need to have a visitor management system. Visitor management systems aren’t meant to replace your hardworking receptionists—they are meant to help them. Such systems allow your front desk area to run more smoothly by automating the visitor check-in process and increasing productivity and efficiency. Modern-day receptionists do a lot more than just answer the phone and

Our world has become increasingly technology-driven, but the power of meetings cannot be denied, even in the digital age. While emails and social media interactions can be a powerful way to communicate with people across distances, videoconferences and face-to-face meetings are the most effective at building trust and long-term partnerships. Meetings are effective business facilitators, but many people are not fond of them, not only because they take a lot of time to carry out, but also because they are a hassle to schedule.   From finding the right sized meeting room and checking its availability, to gathering the necessary equipment and inviting attendees, scheduling meetings can be time-consuming. Meetings can be especially tough to schedule when there are many participants involved, even more so if they