Stop Dialing into Web Conferences, Start Using Video

How many times has this happened to you during a conference call?

"Zach what do you think"

"I'm sorry you broke up, can you repeat that"

The speaker is forced to repeat their thoughts due to the fact that I was multitasking and not paying attention. Meetings exist because we need to collaborate to accomplish a task(s). Not being fully engaged in the conversation is a waste of everyone's time, and additionally, might not deliver the best possible outcome to accomplish those task(s).

While I was in previous roles I would occasionally use video during web conferences, but it wasn't something that was done consistently. Moving to Google, the culture is defined to always use video. If you aren't using video, you get called out and I LOVE IT!

Some of the benefits I've seen from Video Conferencing:

•  Meetings get done quicker
• The quality of results from Video Meetings are higher
• This past week I met many members of my team for the first time, but since I had been video conferencing with them I felt like I knew them already!
• Geographies shrink
• Attendees must be ready

What do you think? Do you make video conferencing a priority?