Remote meetings: the possibilities
New technologies have radically changed the way employees meet. Just one step from telecommunications to telepresence!
When can a remote meeting be proposed?
Remote meetings are appropriate if you need to discuss a specific, short subject (45 minutes maximum) which involves an exchange on a shared medium. A remote meeting can also be friendlier than a phone call to congratulate or discreetly help or correct a remote person.More generally, it is necessary if your external collaborators are going to spend more time in transport than at the meeting itself. Telepresence then saves everyone time, money and comfort.
Video conferencing: the most technical
Relayed by HD video streaming, videoconferencing allows participants to see the facilitator act in front of a medium. This user-friendly technique links up to 100 participants on all terminals and includes session archiving, annotation tools, etc.However, it requires efficient tools, such as an equipped room, or the use of a dedicated service.
A web conference: the most studious
A facilitator sends an e-mail link to participants who log on to a web host at the agreed time. They enter their password and access the open session.Here, priority is given to a shared screen. The web conference (or webinar) is therefore conducive to top-down information such as training courses, MOOCs (massive open online courses), messages from the management, etc. To ensure security and capacity, it is often necessary to use a service provider.
A group video call: the most interactive
Video chat is the most user-friendly and least expensive option (often free). The participants download an application (Skype, Hangouts, Oovoo, etc.) and a moderator launches the group call. Everyone can see, listen, speak and exchange documents: in short, participate, even from their mobile!Combined with a collaborative tool such as Google Doc, Murally or Mindmapper, the video call allows you to work on an online medium simultaneously. Some apps even offer instantaneous translation of exchanges.
The only drawbacks are that connections must be good, the number of participants small (maximum 10) and silence is required in the offices. Ready to get started?