It is impossible to ignore the impact that COVID-19 is having on workplaces in South Africa & around the globe. As governments are implementing policies, more and more organizations are taking preventative actions to slow the spread of the virus. In order to minimise contact with peers, remote work has been encouraged where employees are encouraged to work from home. In the context of a pandemic, remote work makes it possible for employees to keep up with work tasks while self-quarantining & minimising interaction with others. Traditionally we relied on face to face communication but thankfully technology has allowed us to build tools to overcome these barriers.
Video for Meetings & Brainstorms
Video is the perfect way to maintain face-to-face communication without any physical interaction, therefore implementing the restrictions called for. Video can fill the gap when you need to meet and discuss ideas or even updates on projects.
Live Video Chats
Platforms like Zoom, Skype, GoTo Meetings and a host of others are easy to use for face to face meeting with one or multiple participants. These tool also allow you to "screen share" during your video call so as to show your work to the team as if you were in a room altogether. If you you use your laptop, all you need is a webcam and microphone, which are embedded in most of today’s laptops. If you are using your phone all you need to do is download the app to have a meeting where you can see and hear the other participants, just like you would in a traditional boardroom.
This is great as you can get feedback for your ideas, answers to your questions, and any other information you might need. You can get it immediately since others on the video call can talk & engage during the meeting at anytime. The best part is that these platforms are so easy to set up, you don't need to be an IT expert to get up and running. With a few clicks, you’ll be able to share your virtual chatroom “address” via a web link, and others can click that link to join your video call. And in some instances you can even record the discussion and use it as your minutes of the meeting.
Recorded Video Updates
If you dint need to interact directly with a colleague or you don’t need immediate responses, you can make a quick video giving relevant information and then send it out to any recipients.
This is a great way for managers and executives to give updates about what has been affected by the outbreak. Companies can also use this type of video to give end-of-day updates or to report any concerns or questions that aren’t time-sensitive.
As you can see, video conferencing options fill the role of in-person meetings and other team conversations, while video updates fill the role of debriefs or team memos.
We are All in it Together
We are all facing the same challenge having to continue our work load but at the same time ensuring the health of all. If you’ve never used video to keep your projects running, now is a great time to test it out and see how it works for you. Who knows, it may work out as an even more productive tool than you had ever imagined.
Give us a call we are always open and ready to help.
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