Re-Embrace Video Conferencing

In today's pandemic-stricken world, there are words the dictionary doesn't need to define: quarantine, lockdown, and video conferencing. 

Employees everywhere are experiencing online meeting fatigue. What was initially created for occasional use is now a daily necessity. It's no surprise that the prospect of virtual meetings fills us with anxiety. Top it off with after they are over, we feel exhausted. 

Yet, the advantages of video conferencing are irrefutable. It is now a permanent part of our unified communication / UCaaS toolbox. So it makes sense to learn to work with it rather than tolerate it. 

Here are 4 simple ways to help your team combat online meeting fatigue and embrace video conferencing!

1. Minimize Distractions

Video conference rooms were created for one reason--to eliminate distractions. Now that we're working from home, the best we can hope for is a clean surface to place a laptop. Between children, pets, and online grocery shopping, there are endless distractions. So if you don't have a hideaway to conduct business, create one! 

When it's time for your meeting, put everything away and focus. If possible, have a uniform background for work meetings and use the noise cancellation feature to enhance the sound quality and keep the attendees focused. Or, if you’re using Huddle, use your own virtual background.

2. Take 5-10 Minutes Breaks

Remember when meetings were separated by geography and snacks? Even when you had back-to-back meetings, there was some activity in between. After a small talk session with your client or colleague, you still had a couple of minutes before heading back to the white-collar trenches — just enough time for a bathroom break and a granola bar.

These days, we forget to schedule breaks between virtual meetings. Those few minutes give you time to get away from the screen physically. Your body needs it

3. Camera On or Off

How often do you talk to someone with their face a breath away from yours? Either you were preparing for a fistfight, or you were exchanging vows. Either way, you were emotionally charged. Turns out, a face on your screen can have the same effect.

Turning off the camera may make you feel more comfortable. The team can make use of the other features of the conferencing tool. For instance, they can use emojis to confirm approval or disapproval during a presentation. That allows for two-way communication with a fraction of the anxiety.

However, turning on the camera can allow for more meaningful interactions. Seeing facial expressions, especially smiles and positive body language can really bring a team together. It also lets others know you’re actively listening. Don’t be afraid of the camera!

4. Switch to Phone Calls Past 4 pm

Video conferencing availability is not restricted by geography or time. Unfortunately, we now schedule too many video conferences in a day. Set specific times for video meetings and switch to phone calls outside that time. With proper communications solutions, the phone calls will be just as affordable and less taxing.

Video Conferencing isn't all bad.

Communication will always be a necessity. Despite the fatigue of online meetings, many of us still initiate video calls because face-to-face communication is something we crave. So, as we acknowledge the challenges, let's not forget what it has allowed us to do. It is video communication that helps us to remain a team in a pandemic.

Huddle, our video conferencing tool, is easy to use. It enables virtual face-to-face communications with people worldwide and is compatible with Gmail and Office365, easing the scheduling process. For a team of up to 100 people, you'd be hard placed to find a better tool to keep your people connected.