Recently I read a fantastic article titled “Let People See Your Face!” Although the message of the piece was to encourage coworkers and managers to pick up the phone or visit in-person with colleagues rather than over email, I couldn’t help but think of video technology as the happy medium (literally) in this scenario.
The article’s author makes a tremendous point, arguing – correctly – that decisions made face-to-face or over the phone take less time and build better relationships between employees than those made via email. And because of this, they have a much greater, positive impact to a business’ bottom line than email communications.
But there is another way to meet with colleagues face-to-face. One that doesn’t require travel (and the subsequent hefty travel expenses) and can be initiated as easily as a phone call.
Video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-_lloKg2Hc
Video enables productive and efficient face-to-face meetings between employees separated by hundreds, or thousands, of kilometres. To the point of the article – let people see your face.
Yes, traditionally this would mean through an in-person encounter. But if you can’t physically be in the same place as your employees – what then? When the choice is to communicate by email (which is okay), phone (which is good) or by video conferencing (which is better), which would you choose?
To see how we are incorporating video technology in our own communications at Cisco, I invite you to attend an upcoming lunch and learn for a behind-the-scenes look at our Toronto office.
Why focus on our office? Because we believe that the tools you use impact the space you are in.
Video screens require dedicated working areas so employees can brainstorm and collaborate, and we believe that the office space should evolve with technology and the culture of work.
The lunch and learn will demonstrate how the technology in our Toronto office considers our own working styles and enables us to share thoughts and ideas with people next to us – or across the world – with equal ease and clarity.
We have a saying around Cisco. We like to say that our video technology creates an experience “that’s better than being there.” I agree. The question is, do you?
To learn more about our workspace series visit our Workspace Webinar homepage, see what else we’ve had to say on this topic and watch our previous sessions on-demand:
Webinar 1: Creating the Workplace of Tomorrow – Featuring Co-Authors of Make Space
Webinar 2: Evolving Work Styles in the Interconnected Workplace – Featuring Mayhew
Webinar 3: Connecting Design to Business Success – Featuring HOK
Webinar 4: Integrating Technology as Part of the Office Re-Design – Featuring ET Group
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