Businesses around the world are constantly asking themselves the question, “How do I communicate better with my employees and my customers?” Businesses aren’t alone in this struggle either. It is part of the human condition to struggle with effective communication. We all want to be heard and understood, but in a world full of distractions, we often fail. Communication isn’t easy, especially when you are not even in the same room as the other person. Luckily, thanks to advancements in technology, communication in the business world and beyond is improving thanks to video conferencing.
Video conferencing is significantly improving communication in the business environment. Here are a few of the ways it is making a positive impact for businesses trying to share their message both internally and externally.
Visual Cues
Unlike past conferencing solutions that only allow a few phone lines to connect and communicate simultaneously, video conferencing enables participants to see each other. This simple change has opened up a world of better communication by providing non-verbal visual cues visual cues such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language. These visual cues enhance understanding, empathy, and overall engagement during the conversation. They also help people feel more connected. Instead of talking to a microphone while staring at a wall, participants talk can see the other person in real time. It simulates the experience of being in the same room together which is imperative for building trust and comradery both between coworkers and clients.
Real-time Collaboration
What started with hand-written letters and telegrams before moving to phone calls has evolved to real-time communication. Gone are the days of waiting to hear back for a time-sensitive response, now video conferencing is providing instant feedback regardless of the participant’s physical location. It enables teams to work together on projects, share ideas, brainstorm, and provide instant feedback, fostering a sense of unity and productivity.
Enhanced Engagement
In tandem with visual cues, seeing participants’ faces and reactions can help keep everyone engaged during meetings. Rather than staring a a wall, it minimizes distractions and encourages active participation. Individuals are more likely to pay attention and contribute when they can be seen by others. It also helps end exclusionary meeting practices common in conference calls where one side can mute themselves and have an entire side conversation the remote participant is unaware of. Seeing people face to virtual face helps everyone stay engaged in one conversation at a time.
Global Reach
Since video conferencing works for anyone with the right hardware and an internet connection, geographical barriers have been virtually eliminated allowing businesses to connect with partners, clients, and colleagues around the world. This global reach enables teams to meet quickly and easily reducing travel costs, and expediating decision-making processes. When it comes to expanding business worldwide, reaching global markets with the right message is easier than ever.
Flexibility and Convenience
Since video conferencing allows you to connect online anywhere that has a strong internet signal, work can be more flexible and convenient than ever. Some people enjoy taking a workcation. That means they work while travelling using cafes and other coworking spaces wherever they can find them. For those less adventurous, participants can join a meeting from their car on their way to an appointment without missing a beat. If a meeting is only going to take a few minutes, it also saves people extensive travel time while helping solve the same problem they would have done in person.
Scheduling
Scheduling important meetings is also quick and easy to do when platforms are integrated into calendar platforms. Take a quick look at a coworker’s calendar to see if they are available. Then schedule a meeting with a link to the virtual meeting room.
Document and Screen Sharing
Most video conferencing platforms support document and screen sharing. These features enable participants to present slides, share important documents, or collaborate on shared files in real-time. This feature improves information sharing, collaboration, and productivity during meetings.
Record and Playback
Many video conferencing tools offer the option to record meetings. This allows participants to review the discussions later or share them with absent team members. Keeping a record of an important discussion can save a lot of time in future discussions.
Personal Connection
Above all, video conferencing helps people build and maintain personal connections among team members, even when they are physically apart. When people feel connected and care about each other, they have a better chance of communicating well. That is the goal for any business.
If you need help designing a video conferencing solution for your workplace, contact OEC today for a free consultation. We want to help you look and sound your best no matter who you are working with.
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In recent years, video conferencing has become an integral part of our lives, revolutionizing our communication and collaboration. With the global pandemic forcing organizations and individuals to adapt to remote work and virtual interactions, the importance of video conferencing has surged exponentially. We will explore the significance of video conferencing in the current landscape, common online meeting providers, industries that extensively use this technology, popular use cases, effective ways to leverage video conferencing, the types of video conferencing rooms, security questions, bandwidth requirements, software installations, integrations with other collaboration tools, and common hardware.
Why is Video Conferencing Important Now?
Video conferencing has become more critical than ever for several reasons:
It enables seamless communication regardless of geographical barriers, fostering global collaboration and teamwork.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, making video conferencing the lifeline for businesses and educational institutions alike.
Video conferencing reduces travel expenses and carbon footprints while improving productivity and employee well-being.
Common Online Meeting Providers
Several online meeting providers offer video conferencing solutions tailored to different needs. Some of the most popular ones include:
Zoom: Renowned for its user-friendly interface and high-quality video, Zoom has become a household name during the pandemic.
Microsoft Teams: Integrated with the Microsoft Office suite, Teams provides a comprehensive collaboration platform, including video conferencing.
Cisco Webex: Trusted by businesses for its security features and scalability, Webex is a favorite for large-scale meetings.
Google Meet: Part of Google Workspace, Meet offers straightforward video conferencing functionality for businesses and educational institutions.
Skype: While primarily known for personal use, Skype still serves as a reliable option for one-on-one video calls and smaller group meetings.
Video conferencing is widely used across various industries. Some sectors that frequently rely on this technology include:
Business and Corporate: Companies of all sizes utilize video conferencing for virtual meetings, webinars, and interviews with remote teams, clients, and partners.
Education: Educational institutions have adopted video conferencing for remote learning, virtual classrooms, and online seminars.
Healthcare: Telemedicine has gained prominence, allowing medical professionals to conduct remote consultations and collaborate with experts worldwide.
Government: Governments use video conferencing for remote hearings, diplomatic conferences, and interagency collaboration.
How People Commonly Use Video Conferencing
The applications of video conferencing are diverse and continually evolving. Everyday use cases include:
Team Meetings: Virtual team meetings allow geographically dispersed employees to collaborate effectively and maintain a sense of camaraderie.
Client Meetings: Video conferencing enables businesses to connect with clients and prospects from anywhere, saving time and resources.
Training and Webinars: Conducting remote training sessions and webinars empowers organizations to reach a broader audience.
Job Interviews: Video interviews have become standard practice for recruiting candidates from different locations.
Family and Social Gatherings: Video conferencing connects friends and families, especially during special occasions or distant living situations.
10 Ways to Effectively Use Video Conferencing
To make the most of video conferencing, consider these ten effective tips:
Prepare in Advance: Plan your agenda, share relevant materials, and send meeting invites well ahead of time.
Test Equipment and Connection: Ensure your devices, microphone, and camera function correctly and you have a stable internet connection.
Choose the Right Environment: To minimize distractions, select a quiet and well-lit space, preferably with a neutral background.
Dress Professionally: Dressing appropriately demonstrates professionalism and respect, even in remote settings.
Be Punctual: Start and end meetings on time to maximize productivity and respect participants’ schedules.
Encourage Active Participation: Engage all participants by encouraging questions, discussions, and brainstorming sessions.
Utilize Screen Sharing: Share presentations, documents, or software screens to enhance communication and collaboration.
Use Breakout Rooms: For larger meetings, divide participants into smaller groups for focused discussions.
Record Meetings: Recording sessions allow absentees to catch up and serve as a valuable reference for future discussions.
Follow Up: Send meeting minutes, action items, and follow-up emails to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Video conferencing can be conducted virtually anywhere with a stable internet connection. Some of the best places include:
Home Office: The most common location, providing comfort and familiarity for remote workers.
Coworking Spaces: For freelancers and small teams seeking a professional environment outside their homes.
Conference Rooms: Businesses often use designated conference rooms for official meetings.
Educational Institutions: Virtual classrooms or designated areas for remote learning and webinars.
Types of Video Conferencing Rooms
There are four primary types of video conferencing rooms, each catering to different needs:
Huddle Rooms: Small, informal spaces designed for quick ad-hoc meetings or one-on-one discussions.
Training Rooms: Equipped with advanced audiovisual technology, ideal for larger group training courses or educational settings.
Conference/ Boardrooms: People often reserve these sophisticated rooms for high-level executive meetings and strategic discussions.
Focus Rooms: Small spaces with high auditory privacy that can seat 1-3 people. These spaces include private offices and phone booths where employees can work with limited distractions.
Is Video Conferencing Secure, and What Measures Are Taken to Protect Privacy?
Security and privacy are paramount concerns when it comes to video conferencing. Providers have implemented robust security measures for when individuals share sensitive information and the risk of unauthorized access. The level of security may vary depending on the platform, but some standard measures include:
Encryption: Most reputable video conferencing services use end-to-end encryption to protect data during transmission, ensuring only authorized participants can access the information.
Meeting IDs and Passwords: Unique meeting IDs and passwords are generated for each session, preventing unauthorized users from joining.
Waiting Rooms: A waiting room feature allows the host to control who enters the meeting, allowing them to admit participants individually.
Host Controls: The host can manage participant privileges, screen sharing, and chat functions, adding an extra layer of security and control.
Secure Data Centers: Video conferencing providers often store data in secure data centers, complying with industry standards and regulations.
Despite these measures, users should still exercise caution when sharing sensitive information during video conferences, and it is advisable to keep the software up to date to benefit from the latest security patches.
What Are the Bandwidth and Internet Connection Requirements for Smooth Video Conferencing?
Video conferencing quality largely depends on the available bandwidth and internet connection speed. Insufficient bandwidth can lead to choppy video, audio lag, and overall poor user experience. While exact requirements can vary based on the platform and the number of participants, the general guidelines are as follows:
Minimum Bandwidth: A minimum of 1 Mbps upload and download speed is recommended for one-on-one video calls. However, for group calls or high-definition video, higher bandwidth is necessary.
Recommended Bandwidth: To ensure smoother video conferencing with multiple participants, a bandwidth of at least 2.5 Mbps is recommended for both upload and download.
Wired Connection: Whenever possible, use a wired Ethernet connection for a stable and reliable internet connection, especially when Wi-Fi signals fluctuate.
Test Your Connection: Many video conferencing platforms offer a pre-meeting connection test feature to assess your internet speed and compatibility.
Can I Join a Video Conference Without Installing Any Additional Software?
The accessibility of video conferencing has dramatically improved, and many platforms now offer browser-based solutions that allow users to join meetings without installing additional software. These web-based clients enable participants to connect using their web browsers, eliminating the need for downloading and installing applications. However, while browser-based access is more convenient, some features may be limited compared to using dedicated software. It’s essential to check with the specific video conferencing platform for their web-based capabilities.
Can I Integrate Video Conferencing with Other Collaboration Tools, Such as Project Management Software or File-Sharing Platforms?
Many video conferencing platforms offer integrations with a wide range of collaboration tools, allowing users to streamline their workflows and enhance productivity. These integrations often enable seamless sharing of documents, project updates, and other relevant information during video conferences. Some platforms also offer APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), allowing the developers to create custom integrations tailored to their organization’s needs.
Commonly integrated collaboration tools include project management software like Asana or Trello, file-sharing platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox, and team communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams. These integrations facilitate the exchange of information, promote real-time collaboration, and simplify communication for teams working remotely or in different locations.
What is Commonly Used Video Conferencing Hardware?
Common video conferencing hardware includes a range of equipment and devices designed to enhance the video conferencing experience and ensure smooth communication. These hardware components are essential for setting up a comprehensive video conferencing system and can vary based on the scale and requirements of the organization. Some of the most common video conferencing hardware include:
Primary Hardware
Camera: A high-quality camera is fundamental to any video conferencing setup. It captures video feeds of participants and meeting spaces, ensuring clear and sharp visuals during video calls.
Microphone: Clear and reliable audio is crucial for effective communication. External microphones, especially high-quality omnidirectional or directional ones, help reduce background noise and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
Speaker: External speakers or speakerphones provide better audio output, delivering sound clarity and minimizing echo or feedback issues during video conferences.
Display Screen: A large display screen, such as a TV or monitor, can showcase remote participants and shared content during video calls. Higher-resolution displays offer better visual quality.
Codec: The codec is the hardware or software that compresses and decompresses audio and video data for transmission over the Internet. It plays a crucial role in maintaining video quality and reducing bandwidth usage.
Controller: A dedicated controller or remote allows users to manage video conferencing functions easily, such as starting or ending meetings, muting participants, and sharing content.
Computer or Video Conferencing Endpoint: A computer or a dedicated video conferencing endpoint is the central processing unit that connects all the hardware components and runs the video conferencing software.
Secondary Hardware
Webcams and Headsets: For individuals or small-scale setups, webcams and headsets with built-in microphones are often used to facilitate video calls.
Multipoint Control Unit (MCU): An MCU manages the connections and ensures smooth communication among all participants for larger-scale video conferencing sessions involving multiple participants.
Room Control System: In more sophisticated setups, a room control system allows users to manage lighting, temperature, and other environmental factors in the video conferencing room.
Document Cameras: Document cameras or visualizers help display physical documents, drawings, or objects during video conferences.
Whiteboard Integration: Interactive whiteboards or smartboards allow participants to collaborate and share ideas in real time, enhancing the virtual meeting experience.
Network Infrastructure: A robust network infrastructure, including routers and switches, is essential to handle the high data demands of video conferencing without disruptions.
Green Screens or Virtual Backgrounds: Some setups use green screens or virtual backgrounds to replace the background during video calls, offering privacy or adding a professional touch.
The specific hardware components chosen for a video conferencing setup depend on the organization’s needs, budget, and the scale of the video conferencing deployment. From simple configurations for individual use to elaborate conference room installations, the right combination of video conferencing hardware ensures a seamless and productive virtual communication experience.
Conclusion
Video conferencing has undoubtedly become a crucial aspect of modern communication and collaboration. With various online meeting providers offering seamless solutions, this technology has enabled businesses, educational institutions, healthcare, and many other industries to bridge the gap between remote participants. Providers have put significant effort into ensuring the security and privacy of users. They employ encryption, passwords, and other measures to protect sensitive information. Users should meet the recommended bandwidth requirements and opt for a stable internet connection to ensure smooth video conferencing.
Additionally, the accessibility of browser-based options makes joining meetings more convenient. Furthermore, integrations with collaboration tools further enhance productivity and teamwork. Video conferencing can revolutionize how we interact, making distance a mere number on a screen. Simply follow effective practices and leverage suitable environments. With the continuous advancement of video conferencing technology, the future promises even more exciting possibilities for a connected and collaborative world.
Working with OEC
If video conferencing improves your business’s communication, it may be time to find an experienced av integrator to help install your new technology. At OEC, our team of professionals can help design the perfect solution within your budget. We will procure, install, and train your team to use the product effectively. Contact us today for a free consultation on your new video conferencing solution. Contact us today!
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What is the history of video conferencing in business?
Since the late 1960’s there have been countless iterations of video conferencingsolutions. The Picturephone from AT&T allowing two people to sit down and communicate via video was a catalyst for other companies interested in connecting people. From then on, many players entered the race and many still work in that space today.
In many ways, video conferencing got its start in the business world before making its way to the masses in consumer markets. Businesses were the ones who could afford and justify early systems as they sought to connect with business partners across oceans. It was only once wifi and high-definition video camera technology in phones and laptops were developed that connecting via video move outside of the boardroom and into the hands of employees throughout the organizations. Individuals could now connect via video using their personal devices affording them options and opportunities they never had before.
Four examples of how people use video conferencing in business.
Today, video conferencing is used in a number of ways. The simplest definition of the video conferencing is two physically separated individuals communicating via technology using live video and audio. Within that framework, examples of businesses using this technology include:
External meetings or multipoint conferencing
This method of video conferencing usually takes place between three or more participants either in a boardroom, huddle room, or focus room. In this example, a meeting host will send links to attendees joining online. Team members of one company will connect with another company or clients in another location to share information in a group setting. The technology involved often includes multiple cameras, microphones, speakers, and displays positioned within a large conference room.
Internal meetings or point-to-point conferencing
In this instance, a company may have an in-office employee and a remote staff collaborating on a project together. Here, coworkers will talk face-to-face on projects and share their screen to show information the remote attendee cannot otherwise see. This kind of communication allows employees to maintain flexibility. While they may spend part of the day in the office, appointments can take them away throughout the day. The ability to remotely connect helps them participate in meetings they would otherwise miss due to proximity.
Online events
In the past, if you wanted to learn something, you had to come in person. Today that is very different with webinars and seminars being hosted almost exclusively online. Companies have discovered new ways to expand their reach and share their message with consumers through virtual learning events. In some cases, in-person events are broadcast to remote participants to broaden the audience. Some people like to attend in person while others want to skip the travel. This gives everyone what they want.
Social interactions
Some companies have used video conferencing to support their company culture. Virtual happy hours, philosophy cafes, and all company updates help employees stay connected, engaged, and have fun even when physically separate. This is especially helpful for large companies with multiple locations working toward integrating teams full of different people with diverse backgrounds.
Is video conferencing good for business?
The short answer is yes. Any time a business can improve communication between teams, save money, and increase their opportunities to sell is a win. Video conferencing allows businesses to recruit the best talent from virtually anywhere in the world without the need for that talent to relocate. That is assuming of course that they fully support remote work options. It also makes it easier to build relationships because there is that face-to-face interaction. You can tell a decent amount about how someone is feeling based on the tone of their voice, but seeing their face and body language tells the rest of the story.
Who was the first company to introduce remote work?
Remote work is not a new concept. For centuries, skilled workers eg. Farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, and so on have worked from their homes or set up shop there. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that we began to see production lines and manufacturing on such a large scale. Using the Ford Motor Company for example, production and the sheer number of employees had not been seen on that level often. With so much needing supervision on-site, employees began “commuting to work” like never before. Since then, working in office has become the norm for the majority of businesses. Each started building or renting properties to house their large employee base and people got used to driving to and from work and spending hours in traffic.
The first remote work policy on record, as we understand it today, was implemented by IBM in 1979. The company allowed five of its employees to work from home. The experiment worked and by 1983, there were 2,000 people allowed to work from home. Telecommuting has only grown in popularity since then with companies leveraging remote workers to keep operating costs low as they scale their businesses. Others support the trend for environmental reasons. They want to limit the vehicles on the road to help lower air and noise pollution.
Most recently, companies in mass sent their employees to work from home in response to COVID-19. This caused a huge shift in business and employee perspectives on how and where people can work and remain productive. Many companies chose to keep many employees remote even after they could safely return to work. Meanwhile, others struggled to coax their newly liberated work force back to the office, partially because video conferencing made the commute unnecessary.
Why do people prefer to work from home?
People prefer to work from home for numerous reasons ranging from work-life balance, finances, time saved, etc. Employees who work from home automatically gain more personal time often sacrificed in a commute. They can collaborate efficiently with coworkers and fit in chores around the home. Many have kids or pets that they can watch while working from home allowing them to save money on daycare. Additionally, many prefer the choice they have throughout their day. They can start the morning on the couch and move to the kitchen table before ending in a private home office. With video conferencing tools at their fingertips, employees recognize that they can easily produce the same quality of work from home without the extra hassle of the commute.
When is video conferencing necessary?
Whether businesses decide to support teleworking options or not, it is no secret that video conferencing has become a very necessary part of work today. It is normal for companies to grow and modern technology makes that easier. Using video conferencing saves companies time, improves their communication with staff and clients, and helps them capitalize on new opportunities. Video conferencing is crucial for companies who are looking to expand into new markets but are headquartered elsewhere. It helps everyone stay on the same page with less miscommunication. It is also an important part of keeping people connected by ensuring the human element (face-to-face contact) remains intact. People want to work with people and seeing another human being’s face is irreplaceable. If a company is interested in growth while maintaining inherently human communication, then video conferencing is a must.
What are common drawbacks of video conferencing?
Common drawbacks of video conferencing can be split into two fields of through, the purely technical side, and the human side. On the technical side, common drawbacks include poor internet connectivity leading to lag in video or audio, user error when running the system, inadequate collaboration tools, and inequity for remote participants.
On the human side, video conferencing does a great job bridging the gap of distance, but it is still not the same as being in the same room as someone. Physical touch, like a hand-shake, is not something you can do virtually and that is a connection that means a lot to people in business. There are also many conversations that happen outside of an online meeting that build trust and comradery between coworkers or clients. When a remote participant is joining a call and jumping right into business, they can often lose the chance to connect on an emotional level.
What are some benefits of video conferencing?
The benefits video conferencing can bring a company, however, far outweigh the drawbacks. For starters, this technology allows businesses to easily connect with people they never would have or could have otherwise. While it isn’t the same as being in the same room, it is as close as most people will or can ever get when separated by oceans. It opens doors for employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance, companies to save money on physical space, improve collaboration, communication, and productivity, reach a wider audience, and keep consistent records. With all those things in mind, video conferencing connect people like never before, and when people feel connected, they get more done, which is great for business.
Four of the best video conferencing features for business.
There are some key video conferencing features for business that people use most frequently. The include screen sharing, Whiteboarding, video recording, and in-meeting chats.
Screen Sharing
This feature is a must-have solution for collaborating effectively online. Businesses can share imagery, presentations, videos, data, and more with the easy click of a button. Some applications allow people to share their screen whether they are the meeting host or not, while others require the host to grant permission first. More control from the host can be a good idea especially for webinars with hundreds of remote viewers. Screen sharing directs participant’s attention to the shared information on the screen while the presenter can keep discussing a topic. It also allows for easier brainstorming and decision-making.
Whiteboarding
When you are in an online meeting, using a physical whiteboard for brainstorming or note taking is not an option. That is why many video conferencing apps have created virtual whiteboarding features to support online teams. Some apps make whiteboarding tools accessible through their screen shares where instead of sharing a mirror image of the screen, users can open a collaborative whiteboard and provide simultaneous access for all remote collaborators. Some whiteboarding tools are infinite so you never run out of space.
Video Recording
Depending on the type of meeting, video recording can be an extremely important feature for businesses. Whether they are creating training videos or keeping record of what was said, a recording is great for documentation. Other times, employees simply can’t attend a meeting and need to catch up. Video recording is an especially good feature for webinars and seminars that businesses want to share the presentation with attendees.
In-Meeting Chats
Chat features allow meeting participants to hold multiple conversations at a time without interrupting the speaker. During a presentation, someone can chat with another remote attendee about ways to implement what the speaker is saying. Or a participant can ask the presenter a question to answer later. In the case of a live webinar, a speaker can present undistracted while an assistant simultaneously fields questions from attendees. Chat features open up a lot of great communication possibilities for businesses.
Video conferencing has been around for decades, but it has more capabilities and features than ever. Knowing what software, features, and solutions are best for your business can be complicated. If you want a partner with industry knowledge to help you pick the best video conferencing solutions within your budget, OEC can help.
We are a full service, audio-visual integration team of who can help with av designer, product procurement, installation, and service. We have deep industry knowledge and can help recommend the best software and hardware solutions to help you look and sound great internally and in front of your most important clients. Start reaching more customers today by contacting us!
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Insights and ideas to improve the healthcare experience
The pandemic proved to be an extreme pressure test on the entire healthcare system. While clinicians performed above and beyond, the crisis really identified where the opportunities in healthcare exist.
What’s emerging now is a stronger-than-ever realization that purposeful, human-centered design can have a very positive effect. While there are many ways to address this, Steelcase Health has identified three areas of focus to help organizations improve the healthcare experience and outcomes for everyone involved – patients and their families, as well as clinicians and staff.
Spaces where health happens must be met with extreme flexibility – handling what’s now and anticipating what’s next.
Designing for flexibility can help organizations adapt to changing models of care delivery while reducing the cost of renovations. According to the National Library of Medicine, the pandemic “revealed that many modern hospitals and healthcare organizations lack the flexibility to accommodate sudden surges of patients due to unexpected healthcare situations.” It goes on to say that “flexibility is the key requirement of healthcare facilities of the future and consequently designers need to consider the unknown needs due to technological, societal and epidemiological changes.”
“Flexibility is the key requirement of healthcare facilities of the future and consequently designers need to consider the unknown.”
Today most healthcare facilities have fixed components, such as permanent walls and millwork. This approach makes it difficult to change the space quickly when new needs or crises occur. By creating spaces that are move versatile with components that are not as fixed, such as height-adjustable desks, moveable screens, modular casework, furniture on casters, you can provide ad-hoc flexibility to any space. And organizations save money with furniture that supports multiple functions or can be updated more easily. A cafe space can become a training room. A multipurpose zone replaces a traditional waiting room.
Healthcare environments need to address both the physical and emotional wellbeing of people.
Healthcare visits, whether planned or in an emergency, often conjure up an image of a familiar set-up: hard surfaces, cool tones and a sterile feeling environment. These spaces often leave patients feeling anxious and stressed. Healing spaces need to increase overall wellbeing and go beyond physical health to also include mental, emotional and social health.
“Medical facilities are mostly designed to help you get physically better. But they don’t always account for the rest of you,” says Seth Starner, Advanced Explorations, Steelcase Health. ” By creating spaces that are warmer and approachable, patients and loved ones can feel a little safer and more taken care of, tending to their overall wellness.”
By using materials that are both functional and beautiful, providing access to natural light and giving patients more control over their experience, healthcare environments can become more calming and welcoming.
The wellbeing of healthcare workers – whose jobs are centered on taking good care of others – is all too often overlooked in their own work environments.
Compared to people in other professions, those who work in healthcare disproportionately experience exhaustion, dissatisfaction, depression and burnout. Clinicians are always coping with sickness and death. It’s unavoidable. But there are other causes of burnout, too: busy, high-stress environments and always putting others first. Space can be a tool to address those things.
Spaces for breaks have typically been minimized in the floorplate and their location can be inconvenient for actual use.
And then there’s the experience. Many break rooms have become cluttered spaces or overflow storage rooms – in other works, an afterthought. Or they’re just one big, noisy room. At the 2022 Healthcare Design Conference & Expo, a nurse said, “I’m not going to feel comfortable going into the breakroom to cry during a difficult shift while sitting next to a coworker who is eating lunch.”
Respite means different things to different people. So, you need diverse types of respite areas available to suit various needs. Organizations are looking for ways to reclaim underutilized spaces and repurpose them for respite spaces instead. And it’s important that organizations keep these spaces well maintained, warm and welcoming.
The healthcare industry is renewing its focus on setting its staff up for success. When designers make spaces to run smoothly and caregivers feel supported by their spaces and leadership, they create better experiences for their patients. Better supported caregivers consistently yield better scores on the HCAHPS, a survey measuring patient perceptions of their hospital experience.
“There are signs that the whole culture of clinician self-sacrifice is starting to be challenged and recognized as unsustainable, that clinicians can’t give the best care if their own needs are being ignored. It’s becoming a big recruitment and retention issue.”
Health Takeaways
3 insights and ideas for improving healthcare experiences
Spaces where health happens must be met with extreme flexibility – handling what’s now and anticipating what’s next.
Healthcare environments need to address both the physical and emotional wellbeing of people.
The wellbeing of healthcare workers – whose jobs are centered on taking good care of others – is all too often overlooked in their own work environments.
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The temperatures are rising, and summer events are popping up everywhere. From concerts and rodeos to wine tastings and corporate events, each offer something special. However, some events stand out above others. Why? They are dedicated to creating a memorable and interactive experience with guests. If you are planning a big event for the summer and want to make a splash, we have compiled some ways that integrating technology into your event can help.
8 Ways AV Technology Can Help Your Event
1. Captivate Your Audience
For starters, you want to captivate your audience. Create impactful presentations and immersive experiences through high-quality audio and visual elements. This will help you keep your attendees engaged and entertained throughout your corporate events.
2. Create Seamless Communication
AV technology enables seamless communication and collaboration during corporate events. It allows presenters to effectively convey their message, interact with participants, and foster meaningful connections.
3. Showcase Professional Branding
You can project a professional image for your company with the proper AV setup. From customized stage backdrops to branded multimedia content, AV can enhance your corporate event’s branding and leave a lasting impression.
4. Dazzle with Dynamic Presentations
AV solutions offer dynamic presentation capabilities, including multi-screen displays, live video feeds, and interactive elements, enabling you to deliver impactful content that resonates with your audience.
5. Superior Sound Quality
Making a splash at your corporate event requires clear and crisp audio. AV systems provide high-quality sound reinforcement, ensuring that every word spoken and every musical note played is clear.
6. Make a Visual Impact
From large-scale projection mapping to LED video walls, AV technology can create stunning visual displays that captivate and mesmerize attendees, transforming ordinary events into extraordinary experiences.
7. Live Stream
AV systems allow for live streaming and remote participation, enabling you to broaden your audience.
8. Engage your Audience
Want to get your audience involved? Incorporating interactive elements such as live polling, Q&A sessions, and gamification through AV technology fosters a dynamic and interactive event environment.
6 AV Technology Products To Support Your Event
Now that we have given you a long list of ways that incorporating AV technology into your corporate event can help it stand out let’s go through some of the products that can support your goals.
1. High-resolution projectors and projection screens
These can deliver visually stunning presentations and immersive experiences, allowing you to captivate your audience with sharp and vibrant imagery.
2. LED video walls
LED panels configured in large video walls provide a dynamic and impactful visual display.
3. Professional audio system
High-quality speakers, microphones, and sound reinforcement systems ensure clear and crisp audio.
4. Interactive displays and touchscreens
These enable interactive presentations, allowing attendees to participate and engage with the content actively.
5. Video conferencing and live streaming solutions
These technologies enable remote participation and live streaming to and from corporate events helping you reach a wider audience.
6. Lighting systems
Properly designed lighting setups can enhance the visual aesthetics of your event space, creating an ambiance that aligns with your brand and the atmosphere you want to establish.
At OEC, we specialize in providing cutting-edge AV solutions that can enhance every aspect of your upcoming summer gatherings. Imagine captivating your audience with vibrant and immersive visuals displayed on high-resolution projectors and LED video walls. Our AV solutions will help you create visually stunning presentations and transform your event space into a dynamic and engaging environment.
But it’s not just about visuals. We understand the importance of crystal-clear audio to communicate your message effectively. With our state-of-the-art sound reinforcement systems and professional audio equipment, every word spoken and every note played will resonate with clarity, ensuring your attendees remain fully engaged and connected.
Engagement is key to a successful corporate event, and that’s where our interactive displays and touchscreens shine. These allow your attendees to actively participate, interact with content, and share their thoughts through live polling and Q&A sessions. Such engagement fosters a sense of community and provides valuable insights and feedback. Additionally, we offer seamless video conferencing and live-streaming solutions to connect with remote participants and expand the reach of your summer corporate events. Whether your team members are scattered across different locations, or you want to engage a wider audience, our AV technology ensures that no one misses out on the experience.
Contact Us Today
Let us handle the technical aspects so you can focus on delivering a memorable event. Our dedicated AV professionals will work closely with you to design and execute a tailored AV setup that aligns with your event’s theme, objectives, and branding.
Make this summer’s corporate events stand out from the rest. Let us show you the transformative power of AV technology. Contact us today, and together, we will create an unforgettable experience for your attendees.
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Gen Z (born 1997-2012), the youngest generation in the workplace now, is growing up in a hyper-connected, diverse world and is challenging traditional structures and values in the workplace. It may defy conventional wisdom to learn that Gen Z places more importance on the office than previous generations. Here’s what matters most to Gen Zers, according to Steelcase global research.
Gen Z is reshaping the workplace and works in the office more than any other generation
Generation Z will represent almost a third of the global workforce by 2025* and will play a big role in shifting attitudes and perceptions.
Work-life balance and learning and development opportunities ranked highest in choosing an employer
Balance
“Quiet Quitting” doesn’t mean a lack of engagement to them, it means creating boundaries between work and the rest of their lives.
Pay
Low compensation was the number one cited reason for leaving their jobs in the last two years.**
Connections
Top reason to come to the office are about interactions.
Values
Employer values that align with their own. Company’s sustainability initiatives will be critical to talent acquisition and retention in the future.***
**2022 Deloitte survey amonth 23,200 Generation Z and Millennial workers (born between 1996-2010 and 1980-1995, respectively) across 46 countries globally
***Steelcase Gen Z Research
Making connections, learning and career development are more important Gen Z in the office
In addition to just getting work done, building relationships is a big reason they show up. Learning and career development are also important.
73% of Generation Z believes space is hightly or extremely important to the effectiveness of the company they work for.
Individual spaces will make the biggest impact for Gen Z
If you want to motivate Generation Z workers to come to the office even more, having an assigned desk ranks highest – which could be about feeling they belong, or simply a pragmatic need tor a place where they can focus best. The top three things they want are:
Assigned Workspaces
Larger Individual Workspaces
More Privacy in Individual Workspaces
Gen Z is more likely to believe the value of the workplace increased over the pandemic
54% compared with 42% of Millenials, 30% of Gen X, and 23% of Boomers
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Namebrand is a promotional product company that is doing things differently. Since its establishment in 2014, Namebrand has evolved from a promotional product company to a branded product design agency. Their primary focus is delivering high-quality products that convey a company’s message through tangible items. Unlike most companies in the promotional product industry, Namebrand is a disruptor with remarkable versatility. By partnering with existing product vendors or utilizing their own manufacturing facilities, they offer a diverse range of customizable options, ensuring they can transform intangible concepts into tangible products.
A Scattered Team
With a dedicated team consisting of creatives, operations specialists, logistics personnel, warehousing experts, account managers, sales reps, and accountants, Namebrand has experienced steady growth over the years. However, the company faced challenges when it came to its physical workspace. In their previous location, the staff was spread out across five different spaces, occupying separate suites in two buildings. This arrangement often led to inefficiencies and hindered team collaboration, necessitating a change.
Namebrand’s New Private Office Spaces Using Open Concept
Moving Locations
Namebrand embarked on the exciting adventure many growing businesses face, moving locations. Collaborating with OEC Workplace Consultant Cailey Ostrowski, Namebrand has transformed its workplace into a vibrant hub that reflects its brand identity and fosters collaboration among its talented team.
When Namebrand’s CEO, Kevin Felgate, decided to relocate, he considered the well-being and productivity of his team. Centralizing the company’s operations and creating a unified space that reflected its brand and culture became the vision. Danny Rosas, the Creative & Marketing Manager, set off to bring the Namebrand brand and company culture to life within a single building. To achieve this, Danny collaborated with the entire staff and Cailey to design a workspace that embodied the company’s vibrant energy and encouraged collaboration.
Conference Area Featuring Modern Design
The Vision For The New Office
With double their previous square-footage and a 20-30% increase in warehousing capacity, the new workspace provides ample room for the team. The office layout features a semi-open concept, with private offices lining the perimeter and workstations filling the central area. This design ensures everyone is easily accessible and promotes a sense of unity among employees who previously navigated multiple locations.
Working closely with Cailey, Namebrand created a space that is, as Danny describes it, “modern edgy.” Bold black accents are strategically balanced with natural wood tones and white elements, creating a visually appealing contrast throughout the space. Despite the open concept, Cailey and the Namebrand team found innovative ways to establish defined separation between departments. They did this through furniture configurations or spacial separation. These measures created a sense of structure within the open office, fostering a conducive environment for collaboration and productivity.
Working With OEC
The collaboration between Namebrand and Cailey was a resounding success. Cailey’s deep understanding of the company’s culture, style, and brand allowed her to advocate effectively on behalf of Namebrand and ensure that every detail of the project aligned with the vision. The result is a workspace that reflects Namebrand’s identity, energizes its team, and supports its continued growth.
A Commitment To Excellence
As Namebrand continues to lead the product design industry, its new office space exemplifies its commitment to excellence in its products and workplace environment. With its revitalized office space, Namebrand is ready to serve its clients with innovative and visually stunning promotional products. This further solidifies its position as a trusted partner in marketing and branding efforts.
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Responsibilities of the BSU Capital Planning and Space Management Team
Boise State University is continually expanding, and with that comes a plethora of logistics to manage. One key partner in campus construction, maintenance, and financing is the Capital Planning and Space Management Team (CPSM). This team supports university leadership in providing an environment for better learning. CPSM does this through capital planning efforts and budgeting processes to ensure multi-year plans and individual projects are aligning with the university’s strategic vision. To tell us more about the recent and future projects at Boise State, we met with Space Planner and Interior Designer, April Lanningham, and Relocations & Projects Coordinator, Lee Keily.
April and Lee are the members of the CPSM team who are directly responsible for designing spaces and getting people into those spaces. While April works on everything from high-level strategic plans to selecting finishes and furniture for new and renovated buildings, Lee is responsible for moving people, furniture, and equipment into those buildings. Their roles complement each other, and they work together closely to support the management of 5.9 million gross square feet of university space.
As April says, “We have an outstanding, collaborative team of people working across campus. We accomplish complex renovations of old buildings that seem beyond help when the project starts. However, between our facilities folks, architectural and engineering department, and clients, it all comes together, which is very rewarding.”
April Lanningham Space Designer/Interior Designer
Renovating The Liberal Arts Building
While the CPSM team looks five to ten years down the road, April and Lee focus on projects happening within shorter timeframes to ensure providing an environment for better learning. They are the boots on the ground turning a multi-year plan into physical spaces. One such space coming online after four years of planning is the Liberal Arts Building. Once the art department vacated the space that they had occupied for 30 years it fell to CPSM to work with campus leaders to prioritize new occupancy. The primary occupants of the renovated space will be the English department and the MakerSpace that will relocate out of the Library. In addition a handful of new classrooms will come online. Construction is starting this summer with a goal open date of fall 2024.
A New Residence Hall For BSU
Another upcoming project is a 450-bed residence hall for first-year students. The building will stand along the river near the library. Boise State has long been considered a commuter college. However, there has been an influx of out of state students attending the university. Combined with a general rise in the student population, Boise State needs more on-campus housing. With so many of the homes surrounding campus already holding students, creating affordable on-campus housing for students is more important than ever.
BSU’s COVID Response At A Capital Planning Level
While April and Lee have had many projects to be proud of in recent years, their response to COVID stands out for them. Lee shares, “I think all of us should be very proud of our response to COVID and the university planning part of that. We put blood, sweat, and tears into planning how students could return to in-person learning. Many universities took heat for going completely online, but we had thirty-three percent of our faculty and students on campus. We spent a summer here nearly all alone putting the campus together for students to return in person. By doing so, we were a good role model for other universities who didn’t know what to do. We put our heads together as a team and decided what to do even when there wasn’t a budget.”
Lee Keily Relocations & Project Organizer
BSU Embraces Hybrid Work
On the heels of COVID, the CPSM team is embracing the “new normal” of hybrid work on campus. With flexible work policies determined by each division leader some space has opened up because of new remote positions. April and Lee’s job is to put that open space to work. To accommodate in-person and hybrid work, they are trying to make the work environment more collaborative. They are able to do this because of technology, privacy pods, and adding transparency with modular walls. Many staff members have given up their private offices and embraced hybrid work. They will heavily utilize the new technologies and amenities the CPSM team introduces.
Providing An Environment For Students
When asked about their favorite part of working with the university, April and Lee agree that it is the people. Lee shares, “The staff are all focused on the same thing and are here for the right reasons. Kids who come through school are getting a great education. They are lively, young, enthusiastic, and want to get an education. They don’t often realize that we are working for them, but we are here to support their education and provide value to those paying for their education. It could be easy to lose sight of that in our field because we are a step removed, but we support them. We never lose sight of that as a team.” Through their ongoing efforts in providing an environment for better learning, the team prioritizes students needs and wants, as well as what is logistically best for the community.
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And Its Effects on Employee Privacy, Productivity, + Health
As employees head back to the office for the first time in years, they bring expectations with them. One such expectation is privacy. After years of working from home, many people have created private offices away from their families that allow them to be highly productive. As these individuals return to the office, many face unassigned workstations in open floorplans full of distractions and noises that greatly hinder their productivity. Part of creating a successful return-to-work strategy is providing privacy for employees; sound masking is one of the best ways to do that.
On average, noise distractions interrupt employees every 11 minutes. It can take up to 23 minutes for them to get back in the “flow”.
What is Sound Masking?
Sound masking is the process of adding low-level, unobtrusive background sounds to an environment to reduce the intelligibility of human speech and reduce noise distractions in that environment. When working correctly, sound masking sounds similar to airflow from an HVAC system. Many times, people do not even realize it is on. When turned off, however, the space can suddenly feel too loud or even eerie as every little noise becomes recognizable. While sound masking doesn’t make a room quieter, its specific frequency and amplitude create a blanket of sound that reduces how far speech can travel, making it unintelligible. By covering the human voice, sound masking removes distractions and protects privacy.
Protecting Speech Privacy
The number one complaint among office workers is insufficient speech privacy. According to research, 53% of employees report having overheard confidential company information at their workplace. Think of all the times you have unintentionally listened to someone’s private conversation. Not only is it uncomfortable and distracting, but it can also be devastating for compliance and legal reasons. When sound masking is appropriately installed, it creates speech privacy, especially in areas where people share highly sensitive information. By placing sound masking outside conference rooms and private offices, organizations feel confident that their confidential conversations are staying behind closed doors where they belong.
53% of employees report having overheard confidential company information at their workplace.
Boosting Productivity
On average, noise distractions result in office workers experiencing interruptions every 11 minutes. Then, it can take up to 23 minutes to get back into the “flow” they experienced before the distraction. Researchers found that employees can waste between 21.5 and 86 minutes daily due to conversational distractions. This results in poor productivity which can add to significant monetary losses for companies. When sound masking enters a space, employees gain a minimum of 2-4% in productivity and tend to stay at the company longer.
When sound masking enters a space, employees gain a minimum of 2-4% in productivity and tend to stay at the company longer.
Improving Employee Health
Finally, poor office acoustics can adversely affect employee health. A National Library of Medicine study found that workplace noise negatively affects employees physiologically and psychologically. These effects include higher blood pressure and heart rate, which causes hypertension, leading to heart disease and stroke risk. Additionally, loud noises can cause headaches, digestive issues, and in the case of hospital workers dealing with constant alarms, fatigue, and inability to concentrate.
Workplace noise negative effects include high blood pressure and heart rate, headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, and inability to concentrate.
No matter the workplace environment, sound masking plays a significant role in privacy, productivity, and health. So, whether your employees are returning to the office or never left, if you are experiencing acoustical issues, sound masking may be the right solution for you.
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There is nothing like biting into a cut of high-quality, perfectly cooked steak. Thanks to locally owned company Agri Beef, more and more people are having this experience than ever before. To learn about their growing beef empire, we asked executive VP of Corporate Affairs Jay Theiler to tell us the story. Jay started with Agri Beef twenty-two years ago in a marketing role when the company was a ranching and cattle feeding operation. Since then, the business, and his role in it, have grown tremendously.
Agri Beef’s Operations
Agri Beef encompasses over one-thousand ranching partners across the Western United States. They are involved in every step of the beef lifecycle, including ranching, cattle feeding, and beef processing. Their company boasts four premium beef brands selling their meat to America’s finest retailers and restaurants. Additionally, they export to over 30 countries. Their most recent addition is the True West Beef processing plant in Jerome, Idaho.
True West Sharing Ownership
True West Beef is unlike any beef processing plant in the U.S. thus far because it is 51% Agri Beef owned, with the other 49% ownership comprised of livestock producers. During COVID, the industry faced shutdowns that severely stalled their operations. This backup in supply forced beef prices to drop, causing issues in the supply network. In this new ownership model, livestock producers will have a seat at the table and can help make supply decisions whether there is a disaster or not.
A New Meat Processing Facility in Jerome, ID
The facility itself is an impressive 270,000 square feet. It is built with practical sustainability, like recycling 95% of its water and using every part of the animal. True West’s dedication to total quality has also led them to apply the most advanced practices and food safety measures at their facility. They care about each animal’s well-being and treat their animals with dignity and respect throughout their lifecycle. The company is also socially responsible for the overall health, safety, and education of its employees and the community. They are investing in the community with plans to employ three to four hundred people and produce beef from 500 head of cattle daily. These new jobs will positively impact the surrounding economy, and new multifamily housing projects are already in the works.
The Canyon Room
What Makes True West Unique
Something unique about this facility is how many windows it has. The goal behind this unusual choice was to create transparency. Jay shares, “We have this long hallway where you can see into the plant. With so much stigma around meat processing, we are trying to create transparency and show what we do while also making it a better environment for our employees.”
Office Spaces Overlooking Plant
Another unique choice, as designed by Erstad Architects, was making the wings of the building look like ranch buildings. This decision was made as a nod to the company’s history and its 1968 founding in American Falls, Idaho. One side houses the offices and fabrication welfare area, while the other contains the processing or harvest welfare area. Both sides have a large cafeteria for employees with massive graphics stretching across the room. The Canyon room shows the iconic Twin Falls canyon and bridge, while the other has an extensive graphic and actual view of the Sawtooth Mountains. Outside is a large courtyard where employees can spend their lunch break when it’s not too windy. Employees designed these additions to make the facility a great place to work.
Furnishing The Facility
There is a mix of office furniture solutions throughout the office and processing plant. The vision was to design a space that felt open, so private offices with a glass wall and individual workstations made their way into the design. In the main office, many cow murals liven up the space. Additionally, a large training room is put to good use training staff. Out in the plant, the furniture needed to withstand the occasional hosing off, so the OEC design team took special care of selecting furniture specifically for that purpose. “Jen and the OEC team were very good listeners to what we were trying to achieve in the building. They were responsive and understanding of our budget constraints, which we greatly appreciated.”
True West Beef Conference Room
Free Samples
The commercial kitchen adjacent to the large conference room is where the business’s work meets its clientele. “We have some of the most recognizable customers and chefs, including Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller at the French Laundry, and Michael Mina, who want the highest quality beef. We wanted our facilities to showcase that we understand our customers and their business. When they visit, we will show them the plant and then take them to the test kitchen and cook up samples. Sometimes they bring their chefs out and cook themselves.”
Kitchen Space
Trailblazers In The Industry
Building this new plant has been a big step for Agri Beef. Through shared ownership with livestock partners, sustainable practices, dedication to their employees and the surrounding community, True West is becoming a trailblazer in the beef industry. Most importantly, they are proud of their work and excited to share it with people locally, nationally, and globally.
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