However, when some employees work from the office and other employees are working from home, they need the advanced audiovisual equipment to ensure that they can communicate effectively without sacrificing their quality of work. Fortunately, audiovisual integration specialists have the expertise necessary to implement dynamic solutions for any work environment. Let’s discuss how hybrid work will change your organization’s meeting spaces in the near future.
What Does Hybrid Work Mean for Your Meeting Spaces?
Employees and companies are beginning to see the value of hybrid work spaces. Employees prefer hybrid work spaces for many different reasons, with a few of the most popular being reduced exposure to illnesses and an improved work-life balance. Meanwhile, employers can empower their entire organization with hybrid work, which allows employees to hire from a global pool of talent and reduce their real estate expenses with a smaller office space.
But organizations can only reap the full benefits of a hybrid work environment with high-quality AV equipment, installed by AV integration experts. Experienced AV professionals understand how each piece of equipment works together for a well-rounded experience on both ends. Speak with AV specialists about integrating the following solutions to enhance the remote work experience for employees and clients in any location.
1. Crystal Clear Audio
When selecting the ideal AV equipment for your hybrid work environment, begin with audio equipment. AV integration specialists will assess your organization’s needs and install equipment that best suits your unique work environment. Although organizations often emphasize the importance of high-quality video equipment, it is virtually impossible for participants to communicate effectively without full room audio coverage.
AV integration specialists may suggest technologies complete with acoustic echo cancellation, along with improved volume-control capabilities to ensure optimal audio in varying environments. Although some webcams have enhanced their audio capabilities, it is more effective to utilize audio equipment that is exclusively for sound. In this instance, employees can continue to communicate with one another even if their video conferencing equipment happens to malfunction.
2. Efficient Room Planning for Optimal Visibility
Organizations striving to create the most effective hybrid work environments must consider that every meeting will have at least one video participant. The best hybrid work environments utilize AV integration to enhance the overall meeting experience while ensuring that remote participants are able to contribute. Plan to install video cameras that suit the unique needs of each meeting space.
If you’re implementing AV solutions for a large conference room, AV specialists may recommend autofocusing, PTZ cameras for a seamless, collaborative experience. In small meeting rooms, your organization may only require a video bar, or perhaps a single camera with a fisheye lens for a wider viewing angle.
3. The Right Displays for Your Room
Just a few years ago, displays and projectors only existed to display data or host employee training sessions. Meanwhile, video conferencing capabilities were a secondary application. Today, AV displays are much more complex, with many having a wide range of features and capabilities. Although displays are never one size fits all, work with audiovisual integrators to ensure that your displays have video conferencing capabilities and any other features that are necessary to create the best experience for remote and hybrid workers.
4. Smaller Conference Rooms and Meeting Spaces
As organizations strive to optimize the hybrid work environment, they do not need as many large meeting rooms to accommodate high amounts of people. In a traditional meeting room, employees would gather in the office to discuss company events or business strategies. However, organizations have found that a video conference call is more efficient for all participants.
The right AV integration can facilitate higher levels of engagement and productivity than one would achieve without this technology from a smaller space than ever. Meeting room design is a pivotal element of a high-quality hybrid work experience. When meetings are not productive, organizations miss a key moment to bring their team closer together. Furthermore, ineffective or malfunctioning AV equipment can make it more challenging for participants to communicate with one another. When assessing your options and creating a dynamic hybrid work experience, consider your organization’s current needs.
5. Changes in Personal Space Preferences
Social distancing regulations may not be as stringent as they once were, but the impact of global events will change your workplace as well. Many of your employees will prefer to work in environments with more personal space than before. While many organizations may choose a more open floor plan, consider placing huddle rooms strategically throughout the workspace.
Huddle rooms allow employees to work privately, or collaborate with remote participants in a secluded space. Huddle rooms typically seat 4 to 6 people, while using minimal AV equipment. Most huddle rooms only include a single display for video conferencing equipment, along with a few microphones, speakers, a control panel, and a sound bar. With these tools, your in-office employees can engage in meetings with remote clients or employees in a quiet environment.
6. Remote Monitoring and Management
In a hybrid work environment, it is vital that your AV equipment functions smoothly at all times. However, even the most high-quality equipment is bound to experience functional errors. AV integration specialists can reduce their time at your office’s physical location by implementing remote monitoring and management software.
These tools ensure that audiovisual integrators can tend to your needs at any time with the touch of a button. Users with permissions can access the touch panel from the cloud to manage a meeting remotely or troubleshoot. Furthermore, AV equipment with advanced control features makes it much easier for you to create a personalized experience for any hybrid work environment.
