Saying “Let’s have a meeting to discuss…” in recent times has become an unusual statement. Unusual in the sense that, for as long as we could we remember, meetings meant… actually meeting, physically. That’s been true whether it’s for a business meeting, or a get-together with friends.
There has since been a new normal for meetings too, and that’s through video calls. Video calls aren’t something that’s new to most. At some point or another we’ve been able to catch up with distant relatives or friends via FaceTime, WhatsApp video calling or even Skype. This time around, video calls have taken on a whole new responsibility that offers both benefits and disadvantages to all who use it as a new form of communication.
CONVENIENCE
The first thing you may think is that video calls are more convenient, and you’re absolutely right. Out goes the long commutes in traffic, dealing with uncontrollable weather and constantly aiming for punctuality amidst all of these circumstances. You’re already at home with your computer anyway, so it doesn’t take away much time to get to an online meeting. However, there is a disadvantage to this which we’ll highlight in this article.
BETTER PREPARATION
Preparation is still a key piece to being efficient even in video calls, but the physical demands and time constraints are heavily reduced when there’s little else to do but turn on your computer and ensure that you’re on time. Not only are physical preparations easier because commuting is cut out altogether, but mentally it may be easier for some to prepare. Knowing that you’re in the comfort of your own home and that everything you need for a possible presentation is within reach, can prove to be a huge boost for people who may be more nervous in meetings. This also means that you don’t have to worry about racing back home because of something important that you forgot there.
INACCURACY IN COMMUNICATION
This is perhaps the most highlighted disadvantage to video call meetings; inaccuracy in communication. We can probably agree that channels for effective communication follow this hierarchy from worst to best; text messages, phone calls, video calls, face-to- face. Video calls are definitely a step up from phone calls but they can’t quite replace meeting in person. That could be due to poor audio which may not represent one’s tone correctly, poor lighting that may disguise facial expressions and so on.
All in all, meetings have changed during the course of 2020, and we don’t know for how long it’ll be like this. Our best bet would be to maximize the new norm to ensure that we’re as effective as possible, even in meetings.
