The way people work is changing. Remote work and hybrid work are becoming more commonplace in the wake of events like the pandemic and the Great Resignation. As more employees discover ways to be productive in their own homes or on the road, having the right equipment to communicate with their teams is more important than ever.

Across the globe, full-time employees work about one day a week away from the office. This figure increases significantly in English-speaking countries (WFH, 2023). While remote working improves accessibility and helps companies recruit top talent from more regions, it can pose challenges in terms of workplace communication and efficiency. Effective meetings, one-on-one conversations, and conferencing sessions are only productive when professional audio-visual equipment creates the impression of being in the room with people on the other end of a video screen connection.

Remote Success With the Right Equipment

As of August 2023, 13% of full-time team members work remotely, and 30% have a hybrid arrangement where they work away from the office at least some of the time (WFH, 2023). There’s no indication that these figures will drop anytime soon, so companies must be prepared to invest in equipment that allows these remote employees to collaborate effectively with their on-site colleagues. It’s also critical that workers in the office have the right video conferencing equipment so everyone always benefits from full, effective two-way communication.

Examples of essential video conferencing tools include:

• Headsets
• Cameras
• Speakerphones
• Wi-Fi boosters
• Video calling software like Teams and Zoom

Of course, there are many options to consider within each of these categories. For example, someone who needs to move around a lot while on the phone benefits from a wireless headset. However, for video conferencing, an ideal solution might involve a combination of cameras and microphones in the meeting room combined with noise-canceling headsets for the remote attendees.

Customization Is Key

It’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to remote work communication. Every facility has different-sized meeting rooms, different numbers of employees, and different accessibility requirements. For example, some meetings might need a sign language interpreter who’s visible on screen at all times while other meetings need to focus on each person as they speak.

A two-camera setup, such as the Logitech Sight and Rally Bar, can use AI-powered audio-visual receptors to adjust the central camera and speakers to focus on the person speaking. The secondary camera can focus on the interpreter, helping ensure hearing-impaired attendees have the same opportunities to participate.

This type of setup is also ideal for meeting rooms where multiple employees need to contribute or where debates are expected. The beamforming mics and dual 4K cameras of the Logitech Sight empower every attendee to take part, whether they’re at home, in the office, or even on the road. The unit uses AI to recognize changes in who’s talking and home in on the new speaker, refocusing the camera and microphone array appropriately.

The tandem setup of the Sight and the Rally Bar or Rally Bar Mini means there are always multiple views of the meeting room and everyone present. Plus, these devices integrate seamlessly with Google Meet, Teams, and Zoom, so no one has to struggle with an unfamiliar platform.

Meeting Room Evolution

Access to advanced audio-visual devices means that meetings can change to whatever companies need them to be. Multi-purpose, portable speakerphones like the new Jabra Speak2 75 connect to any smartphone, tablet, or PC via USB or Bluetooth (available through a separate dongle), so no matter what device the call comes through on, everyone in the room can enjoy crystal-clear sound quality. This model is ideal for smaller meeting rooms and ad hoc catchups, with advanced voice normalization technology to ensure everyone stays informed.

For those outside the office – whether they’re at a conference, in a hotel, or working from home – AI has an increasingly large part to play in the evolution of virtual meeting rooms. Many conference device manufacturers now combine AI with multiple cameras, placing each attendee in their own grid even when they’re all in the same room. AI can raise the volume of the person speaking and even zoom in on an individual when necessary.

This type of adaptable meeting room technology is critical for reaching efficiency targets. Without it, some attendees might have to wait for the minutes of a meeting before they can start working on their assigned tasks. Others may have to email a manager for clarification on points, or set up separate one-to-one conversations. All of this takes up valuable time, which cuts into a business’s bottom line. Conversely, video conferences where everyone can hear and speak with absolute clarity empower all team members to participate and get to work on their projects or responsibilities faster.

Related reading: Top Trends In Business Communication Technology For 2024

Your business relies on clear communication; whatever your strategic KPIs are, they can only improve when everyone collaborates effectively. Invest in superior video conferencing technology for measurable, positive impacts on your company’s efficiency scores. Talk to Hello Direct by calling 1-800-435-5634 or simply contact us via the website for more information about the latest communication devices for your teams.