| Are you really using the power of modern | | | | 3. They are holding virtual training and classrooms |
| technology to make your business more | | | | for students, employees and clients. Schools and |
| profitable? Sure, you are using e-mail, you have a | | | | Universities in particular are using web and video |
| web page and you may be reaching your clients | | | | conferencing to create "virtual classrooms," while |
| and customers with an electronic mailing list, but | | | | companies are training their employees at several |
| are you using web and video conferencing to hold | | | | locations using combined web and video |
| virtual meetings with your employees, customers | | | | conferences. |
| and clients in different geographical locations? Here | | | | 4. They are giving online web and video support |
| are six ways how web and video conferencing | | | | to clients. Live chat boxes are great, I use them |
| can help you to increase the efficiency of your | | | | all the time, but the support you can offer when |
| enterprise. | | | | your technician can take over a client's computer |
| First however, it is important to know what web | | | | and really fix the problem is much more powerful. |
| and video conferencing are. Web conferencing is | | | | And, when your client can see who is helping him |
| when two or more people "meet" over the | | | | or her, it really adds a special "warm and fuzzy" |
| Internet to share information and ideas. Web | | | | touch. |
| conferencing systems typically provide tools that | | | | 5. They are saving thousands of dollars in travel |
| allow participants to perform "Online Collaboration" | | | | costs by cutting down on commuting and travel |
| by working together over the Internet, sharing | | | | and time spent out of the office. "As a result of |
| applications and documents. | | | | this technology, our need to travel between |
| Some web conferencing tools include the ability to | | | | offices has been greatly reduced, which has |
| share one's desktop, allowing participants to | | | | already saved us thousands of dollars," says Saul |
| "present" information, be it a PowerPoint | | | | Rothschild, Information Systems Manager at Steel |
| Presentation, an Excel Spreadsheet or a Word | | | | Encounters, Inc." |
| Document with other attendees of their web | | | | In times of rising fuel costs, web and video |
| conference. It is even possible for participants to | | | | conferencing can really make a huge difference to |
| remotely control other participants' computers. | | | | a company's bottom line. Companies using web |
| Video conferencing allows participants to see and | | | | conferencing are not only able to cut down on |
| hear each other using head sets and web cams, | | | | their travel expenses, but their sales |
| and is usually included in good web conferencing | | | | representatives, trainers and support staff also |
| system. | | | | get to spend more productive time in the office |
| Now take a look at how some companies are | | | | and do not lose valuable hours sitting in a car or |
| already getting the benefits of this cutting- edge | | | | on a plane. |
| technology: | | | | 6. They are thinking "outside the box" and |
| 1. They are holding "web meetings" with | | | | devising new ways to work now that they are |
| prospects, customers, clients and fellow workers | | | | free of geographical limitations. The companies |
| without having to incur any travel expenses. | | | | and organizations that have adopted web and |
| These face-to-face meetings are conducted using | | | | video conferencing technology are marketing |
| the click of a keyboard and the movement of a | | | | products and services, conducting training and |
| mouse. | | | | giving support as if all their employees, prospects |
| 2. They are demonstrating and supporting | | | | and clients were working together under one roof. |
| products and services without having to send | | | | Company meetings, sales meetings, employee |
| people to far-flung destinations. Web conferencing | | | | training, and product launches are now being |
| can enable your staff to get behind the desk of | | | | conducted with a new 21st Century flair. |
| your client and do the trouble shooting or give the | | | | So, consider your own business or activity and |
| training that you may be currently doing, without | | | | think of how web and video conferencing could |
| having to send your support staff out on | | | | help you to work more effectively with all your |
| expensive personal visits. | | | | constituents without having to leave your office. |