The way we communicate is constantly evolving. Digital technologies have had a significant impact on how we connect with others, both personally and professionally. One of the most profound developments in recent years is the rise of virtual meetings. Virtual meetings have become essential in the business world and are increasingly becoming a part of our personal lives as well. Keep reading to explore the ways that virtual meetings have reshaped the way we interact, collaborate, and conduct business in the 21st century, and learn about the latest developments in this realm.

Virtual meetings have become more reliable and accessible with each new development in digital technology. Technical issues often plagued early virtual meetings, but with the development of video conferencing platforms, they’ve become more reliable and user-friendly. What really boosted the use of virtual meetings was the launch of video conferencing platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Offering high-quality video and audio and collaborative tools including the ability to share screens, these platforms provided a user-friendly alternative to in-person meetings, leading to massive growth in popularity. The global video conferencing market continues to grow, with its value increasing at $ 7 billion per year, reaching $ 93 billion by 2032.

According to data from Zoom:

1. Which day of the week is the most popular for holding virtual meetings?
2. Which day of the week has the longest average meeting time?

Answers at the end!

Improving Accessibility and Inclusivity

Virtual meetings have revolutionised communication by offering huge improvements in accessibility and inclusivity. Providing a way to overcome geographical barriers, they enable individuals from various locations to connect without the necessity of travel. This enhanced accessibility offers huge advantages for businesses as it reduces travel both travel time and cost, while also providing access to a talent pool not limited by location. Virtual meetings foster a more inclusive work environment by allowing people with disabilities or limited mobility to actively participate in meetings that might have been challenging to attend in person.

Boosting Productivity

Virtual meetings are an excellent way to boost efficiency and productivity. By allowing participants to connect at the click of a button, virtual meetings cut down on travel time, allowing more flexibility on location for those who prefer to work from home, reducing stress and expense. Collaborative features, such as screen sharing, document sharing, and virtual whiteboards, make working together in real time even easier. By providing more flexibility to your work, virtual meetings can boost team wellbeing and support a great work-life balance.

A Greener Business Future

Virtual meetings are having a profound impact on the future of sustainability. With less travel,  commuting and business travel emissions are dropping significantly. More and more organisations are realising the environmental benefits of virtual meetings, and are incorporating them into their overall sustainability plans.

The Future of Virtual Meetings and Video Conferencing

The video conference industry has changed a lot in the last few years. Technology has come a long way, and people’s needs have changed too. The pandemic was a major factor in people using more video conferencing, but these changes were already happening before COVID-19 hit. Let’s take a look at some of the latest changes in video conferencing that are changing the face of virtual communication.

Increasing integration of AI features

Artificial intelligence (AI) has totally changed the game when it comes to video conferencing. AI-powered features can help to make virtual meetings even more engaging and accessible. These features can automatically reduce noise, create virtual backgrounds, and even translate languages in real time. AI even helps improve video quality by adjusting for things like low light and unreliable internet connections. Expect to see more and more sophisticated use of AI features in future developments.

Alongside AI, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are also being used in video calls to make it more immersive. People can have virtual meetings in real life like they’re sitting across from each other at a table. Not only does this make it more engaging, but it also opens up new ways to learn and do business. 

If you’d like to know more about how Clockwise is using these technologies to offer the latest in collaborative workspaces, take a look at our guide to The Metaverse and Clockwork Campus, our first flexible, virtual workspace.

Increased customisation and integration

Flexibility is key when it comes to today’s video conferencing. A lot of platforms now offer a plethora of different integrations with different software and services, so you can use your project management tools, calendar, and CRM system all in one place. This makes it easier to share important data and streamline the rest of your work from within your virtual meeting room, avoiding the need to juggle multiple windows and applications. Recognising the demand for more customisable options, platforms are also offering more and more ways to tailor virtual meetings to fit your needs and branding.

Looking for more ideas and advice on flexible working, productivity, and sustainability? Check out our Community pages for articles on everything from wellbeing to office design.

Answers: 

1. Tuesday
2.  Wednesday