The pandemic has drastically changed how millions of American companies manage their business operations. For one thing, it appears that remote and hybrid work is here to stay, and the current labor market is pushing organizations to adapt quickly.
However, these changes also present a great opportunity for organizations to connect with a global pool of talent and clients. To capitalize on this, cutting-edge businesses must have the tools necessary to ensure that both clients and employees can communicate effectively. This includes integrating new, innovative AV technologies.
The ability to access advanced audiovisual equipment will eventually set competitive organizations apart from those destined to fall behind. For organizations to reap the benefits of this evolving work environment, they must work with audiovisual integration specialists who can select, install, and support high-tech AV solutions that streamline their collaborative efforts.
The Importance of AV Technologies in the Modern Workplace
Recent surveys show that employees are not interested in returning to the office, with 63% of respondents preferring a fully-remote work environment. Forward-thinking business owners are heeding this call for remote and hybrid workplaces, with only 25% of business leaders expecting their employees to return to the office. While this could incite issues for some companies, those that are able to evolve and adapt will be able to experience the benefits of a globally connected workplace.
After over two years of forced remote and hybrid work, companies, employees, and clients have undergone a drastic transformation. Now, it is imperative that companies have access to technologies that allow them to interact with virtual participants seamlessly.
But technology continues to advance at a breakneck pace, and in this evolving digital space, a simple webcam is not sufficient to meet the dynamic needs of a virtual workforce. Companies that exist within highly competitive markets must implement AV solutions to improve communication and collaboration with features such as high-resolution video, clear audio, and interactive displays.
Video Conferencing Solutions
Video collaboration has become the dominant form of communication for individuals and organizations in every sector, and professionals have grown accustomed to leveraging streaming high-quality video content regardless of industry.
Video conferencing technologies allow in-office and virtual participants to connect and communicate with participants without location constraints. These technologies empower the modern workforce by enabling a collaborative, global-minded culture throughout the organization.
Out of all the available audiovisual technologies, recent surveys found that 93% of business leaders believe video conferencing to be the most critical technology for a remote and hybrid workforce. Remote employees must be empowered to present a professional front with appropriate hardware and software tools, while In-office employees must have access to AV tools that provide flexibility and high-quality communication. These tools might include appropriate microphones, camera setups, or speakers and audio output, to name a few.
Unified Communications and Collaboration
In the past, internal communications have often fallen to the wayside. However, 83% of business leaders currently believe that unified communications (UC) technology is one of the most crucial collaboration tools in the evolving workforce.
Essentially, unified communications combine all communication channels into a singular platform. UC solutions provide organizations with virtually any type of communication that they may require, including voice, instant messaging, video communication, external data sourcing, and virtual conferencing. By simplifying and integrating these various channels, companies can enable their employees can communicate seamlessly.
In addition, UC technology allows organizations to control their IT infrastructure in one place, which is increasingly useful in an environment with geographically dispersed workforces and decentralized business operations.
High-Quality Audio Equipment
It is vital that organizations have access to high-quality audio equipment to facilitate effective communication. Without these audio tools, participants may struggle to hear others speak or ensure that others can hear them. While a few minutes of lost audio may not seem significant, studies show that low-quality audio equipment causes organizations to lose 29 minutes of productivity per week, equating to three whole days of lost work per year.
To meet your employees’ needs, you can implement the following audio tools:
- High-quality microphones allow speakers to get their point across clearly. In office environments, they may be installed within the tables or ceilings for discretion.
- Effective speakers ensure that meeting participants can catch every important point in the conversation. In the office, these are often mounted to walls or installed within the ceilings.
- Audio Digital Sign Processors (DSPs) ensure that all audio signaling is smoothly processed. DSPs manage audio mixing and echo cancellation to reduce instances of feedback or dropped audio.
- Control systems allow office employees to easily and intuitively adjust speakers, microphones, and other AV tools. They also reduce IT support time so that employees can focus on crucial tasks.
Audiovisual integration specialists can ensure that you select the right audio equipment to improve communications. AV integrators will work with you to assess the needs of your space so that each solution suits your organization’s specific needs.
They can also recommend at-home solutions to be issued to remote staff. In a hybrid work environment, the right audio equipment allows organizations to ensure that employees and clients can communicate effectively from any location.
Versatile Digital Signage
As organizations adapt to the widespread use of audiovisual technology, digital signage has proven its significance in the modern workforce. Digital signage is one of the most versatile technologies available today, enabling organizations to improve connections throughout the office, facilitate data visualization, and improve safety.
When on-site or hybrid employees venture to the office, digital signage displays can strengthen the connection between employees and your brand by allowing workers to see how their successes relate to the company’s key initiatives. Furthermore, organizations can also leverage digital signage to display relevant metrics, such as production numbers, web analytics, and financial information.
Digital signage also serves as a bridge to clients or other visitors, who can turn to these tools for information on policies, wayfinding, and your brand identity.
