Holding a business meeting used to mean gathering at a large table in a corporate office while dressed up in stuffy suits and ties. Well, that’s not the case anymore. Technology allows you and me to have a business conference wherever we are because it’s just far more convenient that way. People still get their points across, and work still gets done. Here are five ways that business conferences and their planning have changed thanks to today’s gadgets.
1) Video Conferencing Apps
Instead of having to physically get out of bed and drive to the workplace, you can hold a business meeting from the comfort of your home with a computer, webcam, and internet access. Video conferencing apps such as Skype and Google Chat make it easy to get down to the nitty gritty because you can speak to and see the person on the other end. It is much easier to convey information through both physical behaviors and speech, and you can also draw more information by interpreting body language and more.
2) Instant Messaging and Texting
While not the most personal way to have a professional talk, instant messaging and texting allow the near-instantaneous transferring and receiving of text messages between parties. Instead of having to pick up the phone, dial a number, and physically tell a person to bring the contract the next day, you would only need to text “Remember to bring the contract tomorrow. Thanks!” and be done with it. Texting and IM make doing business far more efficient, especially when it comes to small matters, since it’s not necessary to meet in person or see somebody’s face to get things done.
3) Mobile Video Chat
Like video conferencing on the computer, mobile video chat allows you to do the same from your mobile device. All of the advantages of video chatting are included in this option, but convenience is maximized here as you can hold a face-to-face virtual meeting while grabbing morning coffee, while on your lunch break, or while driving to work. On-the-go conferencing options are becoming extremely helpful in our increasingly fast-paced society.
4) Online Storage Databases
Coming to a business meeting unprepared is a big no-no. Not only would you be wasting everybody else’s time, you’d also be wasting your own. Forgetting text documents, multimedia presentations, and other important conference data is no longer a valid excuse with online storage databases. These storage sites allow you to upload large quantities of data from your own computer so that it can be downloaded from any computer with internet access anywhere. It’s the same concept as attaching documents to emails then emailing yourself–and it works.
5) Mobile Event Apps
Mobile event apps are extremely useful when it comes to the logistics of meetings. The planning part can give you the largest headaches because you might have to get a whole bunch of people from all over the world together somehow. Downloading a mobile event app to your smartphone will allow you to micro-manage every aspect of the conference. You can send out a date and time for the in-person or virtual meeting, pick a venue to hold it at, order snacks and beverages, book flights for everyone who is to show up, and so much more with this amazing organizing software. Important info can be sent out to social media such as Facebook and Twitter, and the streamlined menus on your phone screen will display every update.
Noel Williams has worked as a mobile app programer for the past 4 years. He recommends checking out DoubleDutch.me for more information on mobile conference applications.
Marty Huggins
