Here are my communications preferences in order:
Call me a “high touch” kind of guy…and I personally value the ability to judge the non-verbals.
For years, business has been conducted face to face, telephone and email (for memorializing EVERY statement for latter retrieval instant retrieval.) Video was reserved for use in conference rooms, with very expensive equipment.
And not that long ago I had a Tandberg desktop video system…very pricey, great quality, and super for my calls to Hong Kong (where my friend William would enjoy breakfast as I was munching on dinner….obviously an arrangement suitable when people are comfortable with each other.
Today, I use Skype all the time. Skype allows simple low cost (free if you use an existing connection, and you’ll need a camera (standard in many laptops these days and speakers) video communications. What could be simpler?
By working remotely, yet staying in touch with Skype, a basic tenant of work mobility is attained.
With video, the non-verbals are apparent (my partner Matt does an expressive eye-roll easily seen on video…and conversely he can observe me staring out the window as I think about a comeback for something I’m reacting to….)
Skype is now in Beta for group video (a function competitor ooVoo already offers.) Group video allows a small team to work together and hold meetings. Desktop video offers a virtual alternative to having to be there for the staff meeting.
It also drives home the importance of a recent survey by Plantronics, the company producing the headsets used in many companies, about the adoption of Unified Communications, systems bringing together the full suite of communications, from online chat to Voice over IP to mobile technologies. The survey found the biggest companies already have Unified Computing strategies, with only two percent of the Fortune 1000 not considering it.
What often gets in the way is security. The Data Security people need to engage early and acknowledge cutting off the network may not be the BEST security profile. To the contrary, they need to understand how to allow advanced technologies in a secure manner.
Also, desktop video is a great way for keeping up with the kids at college. While their preferred method of communications is texting, checking in with video is a way to see how they are adjusting in college…or being Dr. Mom/Dad if the student has a cold.