Be There Without Being There With Video-Conferencing

Advances in technology and fast internet serviceconference but don't have the audio-video
have made video a medium available to justequipment to do so can still get a streaming text
about anyone. Even if you don't have thefeed. A comprehensive and accurate transcript of
equipment at your business, third parties such asthe session enhances the video record.
a court reporting agency can provide the service.Court reporting adds authority to
Advantages of Video-Conferencingvideo-conferencing. This may not be necessary
Scheduling a meeting with people in the samefor basic conference meetings, but for other
building is hard enough, but trying to scheduleevents having the documentation of a certified
meetings with people from other locations can bebut disinterested third party can be critical.
impossible. Conference calls work for someTips for Good Conferences
applications, but often you need a picture to getEveryone should be in position at least 10-15
the full benefit of the information presented.minutes before the beginning of the conference.
Video-conferencing makes scheduling easier forThis allows everyone to get familiar with the
everyone. You no longer have to include travelfacility and allows the equipment operators to get
time for people from other locations in the city.everything up and running by the start of the
Nor do people from far distant offices have tomeeting.
spend a day traveling just for a two-hourEven if your company doesn't have a dress code,
meeting.clothing matters on video. Stripes and patterns
Not only will you save on travel expenses, ancan create bizarre interference effects while
important benefit in these days of rising fuelwhite clothing can cause glare. Solids in muted
prices, but you save on employee time. Yourcolors show up best on screen.
staff isn't wasting time driving and flying and canHave everyone in the conference introduce
get more work done in the time allotted. Finally,themselves, even people who aren't on camera.
you get a video record of the conference whichThis roll call ensures that everyone is connected.
might be important for later.Microphones are sensitive so should be muted
Court Reporters Add a New Dimension towhen not in use. They easily pick up sounds like
Video-Conferencingdrumming fingers, coughs, and whispered
If you should get your video-conferencing servicecomments.
through a court reporting agency, the services ofVisual aids are common in, and often the reason
a certified court reporter can provide additionalfor, video-conferencing. Charts and other displays
features to the conference.should be simple because they will be reduced on
Live closed captioning allows your hearing-impairedcamera. They should be in landscape rather than
employees to attend the conference withoutportrait format since video screens are wider
restriction. People who want to monitor thethan they are tall.