Everyone has heard the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words". Videoconferencing provides that picture, bringing decision makers together for face-to-face meetings regardless of their location. Merely hearing words spoken in a phone conversation limits total communication. Adding a visual link to see the face and the body language enhances communication. Seeing the picture allows the participants to comprehend the intended meaning, not just the perceived meaning of conversation.
"Researchers have suggested that when there is an incongruity between the verbal and the nonverbal message, we tend to believe the nonverbal one," according to Patton and Giffin, authors of Decision Group Interaction. In videoconferencing, hand and arm movement as well as other gestures can illustrate an idea or express an emotional state. More important, facial expression and eye movement can communicate valuable information that is lost in a mere telephone conversation. According to Goss and O’Hair, authors of Communicating in Interpersonal Relationships, Seven research projects in nonverbal communication have indicated that the face may be the most important body area through which nonverbal cues are conveyed. More accurate communication is achieved by facial expression and nonverbal cues.
"Today’s business professionals spend more than 50 percent of the time in meetings, and nearly half of that time they feel is unproductive. Can you imagine as a resource manager spending money on travel for meetings that professionals feel are unproductive" said Francine Savage, New Business Development Manager of 3M visual System Division. Savage suggests that money invested in videoconferencing equipment will ually be recouped via the saving from not sending employees to meetings.
Some organizations will have to invest significant capital to take advantage of this powerful technology. Such is not the case in the Office of the ASARDA. Its information management office has been building a dynamic videoconferencing program for the past 4 years. There are now more than 60 desktop videoconferencing units installed on individual workstation and 12 conference room systems. At heart of the program is a multipoint control unit equipped with the latest software and options. This allows us full control and flexibility to support ASARDA’s multipoint conferencing needs.
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The power of videoconferencing lies in that it can ______ .