According to a study of 19 million meetings conducted by Doodle states that, in 2019, meetings were projected to have cost the economy 399 billion in the USA and 59 billion in the UK.
Many people also harbor distaste for meetings, claim that they’re time-wasters and, in some cases, impede them from doing their job to the best of their ability. An Inc article explains that 44% of people claim meetings stop them from doing their work, and 43% of people claim that disorganized meetings lead to confusion.
So, because email revolutionized business communication, some software companies are taking aim at changing the meeting. While some businesses have eliminated daily meetings altogether using task software like Asana and Trello, we’re here to discuss alternatives that still provide a meeting experience without taking as much time as a traditional meeting.
Online Meetings
Online meetings have several advantages over traditional meetings. Firstly, people don’t have to be physically present. They can attend from home or a coffee shop. They can include remote team workers as well as core, in-house staff. Secondly, sharing files and documents within the meeting is simple and easy.
The Best Meeting Software
Zoom: Zoom is the favorite virtual meeting software of many. From affordable monthly plans, to a free-to-start model, Zoom allows many people to join at once. You can also see everyone’s cameras simultaneously. It’s easy to mute other users or one’s self, and you can join with a laptop or phone. Zoom’s flexibility and reliability make it the perfect meeting solution for many businesses.
Zoho: Zoho seems to have software for every business function. Meetings are no exception. While great for meetings, Zoho is also a good choice for webinars. This software allows you to schedule meetings in advance, or to start them instantly. It also allows presenters to present their slide decks. With a built-in recording feature, you can access playback, eliminating the need for notes.
GoToMeeting: This startup is quickly gaining ground in the virtual meeting showdown by offering a crisp interface and reliable servers. GoToMeeting also offers robust webinar support. Perhaps the most interesting thing about GoToMeeting is their GoToRoom technology. They ship a prepared box of technology from one of their providers to turn any conference room into a meeting-ready room.
Key Takeaways
Most businesses can’t replace their meetings entirely with task assignments, but having physical meetings including in-house employees and remote workers can be a challenge. Virtual meeting software simplifies the experience, cutting down on some of the aspects that can make meetings so wasteful.
Ready to meet? Vodigy helps small businesses take their next steps in technology. Contact us today!
