I was interviewed today by a magazine about how corporations can better integrate staff across continents and time zones through video conferencing. We installed video conferencing between our office sites last year and were surprised at the relative low costs. I am a great fan of the medium because I believe that we express ourselves much better when people can actually see (as well as hear or read) what you are saying. After years of conference calls where I have struggled to hear a point of view over the general hubbub I find that video conferencing doesn't only make you communicate better but it also leads you to feel more involved and part of the wider team.
Video conferencing helps me integrate at a meeting/management level and and it is also useful for the cross continent training sessions we run for staff through our Peppercom State University but it isn't the most useful tool we have. I was shocked to see how much of a difference having internal Instant Messaging has helped. At the suggestion of one of our staff we installed Google Talk across the company. Every staff member is listed with their picture and I can IM everyone from the CEO through to the credit controller and have a quick instant chat. It has the immediacy of a telephone call and is more personal than email.
However, the use of any communications platform - be it phone, email, IM or video conferencing - still needs a business etiquette so that it can be used courteously, effectively and professionally: We all know not to use CAPS in emails or on forums because it means that we are shouting. In some ways the tools themselves are helping us overcome communications actions (caused by cultural differences) that can be misinterpreted. For example at the end of every conference call I have with companies inthe US they simply put the phone down without saying goodbye. I used to get really offended by this until I realised it was just the way they did things. Now we wave goodbye! As new communications platforms continue to emerge it will be interesting to see how people grapple with how to use them courteously and effectively.
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