Is remote working the new normal?

As more and more people adapt to working at home, the question is: will we ever go back to the way things were, or is this remote style the new norm?

The history of online live technology

The evolution of how we use the internet is a wonderful and fascinating timeline of innovation, necessity, choice, even greed at times.

The fundamental core elements have always remained from the days of its first launch, through to people gaming on a different tab and flicking back to a spreadsheet when their boss walks in, and they are learning, educating, and communicating.

The corporate world would have collapsed during the pandemic if leaders and innovators were not able to keep in touch and run their respective businesses remotely during lockdowns and all of the chaos the coronavirus caused globally.

Keeping businesses afloat

There can be no denying the rise to prominence over the last 12-24 months nor that video conferencing has thrived in this period.

Team meetings, one-to-ones, interviews, pitches, assessments, and evaluations have all been successfully conducted online via conference call or video call using some format of modern online live technology.

Even the entertainment that stereotypically was considered as mere in-person games, is nowadays replaced by online live alternatives, in fact, you can even learn to play roulette in a virtual room with a live dealer.

The pace at which the world had to adapt was startling and it was only able to do so because the technology infrastructure was already in place to withstand such a surge in interest and indeed mass increase in usage.

Of course, massive global companies with offices spread across different countries will be more than used to this type of working capacity.

However, no one could have predicted that the software would soon be utilised by everyone from local florists and leisure centres to startup businesses and companies alike.

With the versatility and range of online live technology, it is no exaggeration to say this kept hundreds of businesses afloat and thousands of people in jobs.

Indispensable technology

Proactive meetings might mean different things to different people depending on where you work.

The one thing we all agree on is that the way in which we work has changed dramatically over the last year and now more than ever the use of web conferencing tools is a vital part of any operation.

They are in fact almost indispensable for modern businesses to function in the current climate mid-pandemic and will likely continue their prominence in the post-Covid world too given restrictions and corporate adaptations we will all inevitably face.

So whether you base the success of a productive meeting on the participants themselves, the outcomes agreed, or the general flow of discussion points allowed by the chair, it is pivotal that your web conferencing tools are fit for purpose.

The compatibility and ease of use will determine the execution and delivery of all important topics so let’s take a closer look at the best options at your disposal.

Elite web conferencing tools for a productive meeting

● BlueJeans

BlueJeans is Verizon’s no download alternative to Google Meet. Access is simple and utilised through web browsers. Features include Smart Meetings recaps and action item tagging, HD video, and Dolby Voice audio.

There are specific integrations for Outlook and Google calendar, whiteboards, and application sharing which really elevate its value.

● Cisco Webex

Ideal if your organisation uses Cisco technology already. The compatibility won’t be an issue and luckily, neither is the user-friendly functionality here.

With Cisco Webex, you get HD audio and video, compatibility with a broad range of devices, screen sharing, calendar integrations amongst others as you would expect from a web conferencing tool of this caliber.

● Google Meets

People and businesses alike that need a simple, no-download web conferencing solution will love Google Meets.

It has been revolutionary in the educational sector and pivotal for remote school and university learning. Streamlined and secure with big name prestige and authenticity.

● Microsoft Teams

Falling within the Microsoft 365 product line and replacing Skype Meeting Broadcast, Microsoft Teams offers Teams Live Events, allowing users to engage with 10,000 participants.

Educational accessibility is ensured with compatibility with Microsoft Office Forms and Office 365. This integration and the ability to set up teams and channels for corporate use make this tool extremely attractive and valuable.

● Zoom

With features such as Zoom captions and zoom transcription available with built-in Otter integration, Zoom came to prominence in 2020 and was a huge part of lockdown for many people socially and for work.

User-friendly, straightforward, and efficient, Zoom ticks all the boxes for remote communication.

Web conferencing tools will become as normal as a desk, paper, and pen if they aren’t already.

Companies need to embrace the digital world we live in and as we move to a more remote society, particularly in the corporate sector, tools such as the ones discussed in this article will be pivotal to basic day-to-day operations.

While streamlining workflow for high efficiency, optimum online meeting tools allow you to maintain the privacy of your remote interactions.

If you seek to increase the productivity of your online team, consider getting started with one of these top recommended web meeting tools to enhance your business credentials.

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