The Basics Of Free Virtual Meeting Software
Many businesses are making the move to online training because it’s more cost-effective and you get to tap into a global talent pool. Not to mention, the COVID crisis has made on-site L&D even more challenging. But that’s not the only reason to invest in free virtual meeting software for your team. There are just two questions you need to answer before vetting vendors and sending in those RFPs. Are you ready, and is free really the best option? First, let’s look at some of the tell-tale signs that your business can benefit from virtual meeting platforms.
Warning Signs That Your Business Needs A Virtual Meeting Platform
Communication Roadblocks
Every member of the team needs to communicate to achieve common goals. And virtual meeting software can help you break down the roadblocks. Even remote employees and external partners are able to meet up and share ideas, as well as help each other overcome everyday challenges and build vital skills. It also helps you communicate with clients and other stakeholders on a global scale.
On-The-Job Mistakes
Frequent mistakes are often the result of ineffective training. Employees simply aren’t getting the support they need to achieve their full potential. You can use virtual meeting platforms to enhance your L&D program and provide immediate support. Staffers can meet up to reflect on their performance and get peer feedback. This leads to fewer on-the-job mistakes.
High Employee Turnover
Employees are more likely to leave the company when they don’t get what they need. Salaries and benefits are only part of the picture. You must also provide them with growth opportunities and make them feel like they’re a valued member of the team. Virtual meeting software helps reduce employee turnover because staffers are more empowered and self-confident. They can attend live events, chat with coworkers, and pitch products from anywhere in the world thanks to virtual conferencing platforms that bridge the geographical divide and put them in charge of their own development.
Low Employee Engagement
The last tell-tale sign that your business needs virtual conference software is low staffer engagement. Particularly if they telecommute and have trouble staying motivated, to begin with. Virtual meeting software holds them accountable and connects them with peers. They’re fully engaged because virtual conferences take them out of the passive role. Instead of watching a presentation or online training tutorial, employees can watch a live demo as well ask questions and share different approaches to tackle the same task. Virtual meeting tools also allow them to break off into smaller groups for personalized support. For instance, a top sales employee meets with new hires to expand their product knowledge and offer pitch pointers.
Is Your Organization Ready For Virtual Meeting Software?
Identify Gaps In Your Current L&D Strategy
There’s probably a specific reason why you’re implementing virtual meeting software at this point. In most cases, it’s because there are L&D pain points you need to address. There might be some general business challenges, as well. It’s crucial to identify these gaps and how virtual conference platforms will help you address them head-on. This allows you to narrow your list of essential features and functions as well as find a virtual meeting tool that aligns with your use case and online training requirements. You aren’t quite ready for virtual meeting tools until you identify areas for improvement.
Reevaluate Your Business Goals And Objectives
Another item to check off the list is assessing your goals and online training objectives. Those pain points I mentioned earlier tie into your desired outcomes. But your goals might be outdated or irrelevant. This exacerbates the problem instead of making life easier on your L&D and HR teams. Take a closer look at your objective statements to ensure they align with your modern business needs. Then you’re able to choose virtual meeting platforms that help you achieve the best results.
Consider Implementation Costs
Even free virtual meeting software involves fees. For instance, you still have to market your events and develop supplemental online training tools. There’s also the time it takes to launch your virtual meeting platform, which you need to deduct from your payroll account. Another cost to consider is team tech training, especially if they’re inexperienced with virtual meeting tools. As an example, you need to create tutorials and demos that highlight all the basics. From logging in to requesting a new username and password.
Is It Really The Best Option?
Free isn’t always best. In fact, paid virtual meeting software might help you improve ROI and maximize functionality as they often have more features and customization options. While some offer monthly subscriptions, others charge per-user. There are even some free solutions that allow you to upgrade for an additional fee. For example, you’re able to record virtual meetings or invite more attendees to your live event. It’s best to consider all the costs involved in free and paid systems. Free might involve no setup fees but do you have to purchase additional software to fill in the tech gaps? Do all the upgrades end up costing more than subscription-based virtual meeting services?
Conclusion
Are you ready to expand your toolbox to bridge existing gaps? Whether you opt for free or paid, choosing the right virtual meeting software makes all the difference. But where do you start? Our free online directory has the top virtual conference platforms for your industry. There are even ratings and reviews to help you get the best value for money. You should also take a few test drives to compare your top options and maximize ROI.
Which features should you look for? How do you create an RFP that gets results? Virtual Meeting Software: Good For The Present, Great For The Future has answers to all your virtual conferencing questions. It even offers tips to qualify vendors and gather relevant info before reaching out to providers.
