Are we at a Tipping Point with Video Communication?

I was reading an article last week in the new Runners World magazine, and they mentioned that like Email and the Internet, there is a tipping point where you wonder how you ever lived without particular things in your life.  In this case, they were talking about how runners usually start off hating it, but then some time down the road, feel horrible if they do not get their daily run in.  They hit a tipping point.  So then it got me thinking, what are some of the technologies available today for business, that I could not live without?  Here is my short list:

1.  Cell phone/texting/internet - received my first cell phone in 1997.  How did I live without it?  I remember knowing the best spots on the NJ turnpike for pay phones.   Now I can call a customer, and look at his website while on the road from my phone....very dangerous....but it happens.  

2.  Blackberry - this I would love to do without, but for some reason, I still can't get rid of it.

3.  Microsoft Outlook - to go back to a planner would be like pulling teeth.  It's amazing I ever kept track of my contacts, tasks, and meetings. 

4.  Video Communication - I make more calls per day via video, than I do over the phone.  It probably means I need to increase my calls to prospects!!

My list is short, but you get the idea.  I believe that video communication is absolutely nearing the tipping point with businesses.  The customers that are using the correct infrastructure with quality endpoints are continuing to grow their video communication system.  We are in a recession, and prospects are calling us looking into this capital purchase, and somehow, they find the money because it makes sense.  Reduced travel costs and accelerated decision making are benefits that prospects speak to me about every day.  If you add in scaling knowledge, and the work life balance it brings, including "greening your company", then you have a clear look at the whole package.

One day, just like Email, we are going to wonder how we ever lived without video communication.  Are we there yet?  Some companies are, but there is a long ways to go before every company has it.  We are getting close to that tipping point though! 

Comments

[Jeannie McPherson]

Hi,

I completely agree with your four technologies you can't live without. I was recently visiting relatives in a very rural area and did not have access to Internet. I never knew what withdrawals felt like until then... Thankfully I had my Blackberry, so I still had some connection to the world:-) I also was recently introduced to the benefits of video conferencing when I started working for TANDBERG a few months ago. I had never really used video before then, but now I use it daily to communicate with colleagues across the globe. When I had my first audio conference call last week since using video, I was really shocked to see how huge the difference was in terms of meeting quality and understanding of participants. Seeing people when talking to them has a tremendous impact on connecting with them and understanding what is being discussed. I am a true convert and didn't really expect to be. I believe once people use video they will become converts like me. We are at the tipping point, and the future is very exciting.

Cheers!
Jeannie McPherson
jeannie.mcpherson@tandberg.com