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| A Teleconferencing Primer |
| By: Jay B Stockman |
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Communication began with simple, one-on-one, in person-based interactions, primitive yet effective. Today there is an explosion of technology that allows groups of individuals to communicate worldwide without leaving their offices. This is the technology of teleconferencing, which literally means, "conference at a distance". Initially teleconferencing was conducted via a telephone network, and was limited to voice only. Computers have given a new meaning to the term, they allow more than
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just talk. Once a teleconference is established, these groups can share video, applications, presentations, and a host of other multimedia experiences.
Teleconferencing permits participants to meet in a virtual conference room, and communicate as if they were sitting right next to each other. Until the mid 90s, the hardware costs made teleconferencing exceedingly expensive for most businesses, and individuals, nevertheless this situation is changing rapidly. Most experts believe that teleconferencing will be one of the fastest growing segments of the computer industry.
In its basic form, teleconferencing uses communication means that range from simple telephone lines to sophisticated satellite links. The only requirement is that the conditions be interactive, allowing participants at each location the opportunity to actively participate in the meeting. As equipment and high-bandwidth cabling become more commonplace, it's possible that sophisticated, multimedia teleconferences can be held from your own computer or even in a mobile setting. Recent developments include improved equipment, more transmission options, the introduction of digital devices, and the integration of teleconferencing technologies with the desktop through personal computers.
Additionally, there is a trend toward using teleconferencing for more international applications. As more international services have become available, this segment has seen significant growth for teleconferencing.
The advantages of teleconferencing are obvious, and numerous. However, there are some disadvantages that should be bought to light. Technical failures may occur when trying to establish a conference or during a conference, which would terminate the meeting prematurely. Socializing is less than a face-to-face meeting, and it would be difficult to build close relationship between group members.
An individual’s capability to progress culturally is unified in their ability to expand potential through innovative technology. Teleconferencing appears to address this progress, by enhancing productivity, communications, information management, continuing education, and travel and lower energy costs.
About the Author
Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Teleconference Services Visit http://theteleconference-service.com/ for more information.
Dr. Jay B Stockman is an individual contributor to Google Health Co-op
Dr. Jay B Stockman's public Google Health Co-op profile
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| The Global Brand Communications - Are you up for the Challenge? |
| By: Wesley A. Ford |
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The Global Brand Communications - Are you up for the Challenge?
The issue at hand
Business is built on relationships. Those relationships are built on communication. That communication is built on dialogue. This dialogue requires a message to be sent and received, both verbal and visual. If you are responsible for your company's brand or marketing and communications, then you must learn the challenge and tools that will help you position your company for its future success.
A clear trend is that companies are attempting to manage their brands nationally and/or globally. There is more value for companies in a national or global brand. Regional brands do not provide the economies of scale that strong national or global brands offer.
You, as a marketer, are faced with complex communication issues. Your objective is to provide a broad spectrum of communications to your company and customers. Employee communications will become more critical than ever. International mergers have created challenges for most Marketing and Communications managers (MARCOMS). Foreign speaking employees will eventually make up more than 15% of your company's workforce. How will your executive management effectively communicate with them if they cannot speak their various languages? Your challenge is to get these employees thinking like all the rest to build one cohesive team. Are your executives communicating with them now?
The Challenge
Translation. Translating material, however, can be particularly challenging. Sometimes the greatest challenge is the interpretation by the end presenter or presentation system, not the actual translation. Utilizing some digital tools can help minimize the potential damage of translation. You may sometimes get someone to translate the words of your message, but the person reading it at the other end may not understand it at all. This non-understanding is better than a misunderstanding. One thing is certain, your message is not being effectively communicated to those employees. This is the type of challenge that more companies will face in the future. However, this creates opportunity for marketers. Acknowledge the challenge now and get a vendor that can provide you with the new media tools you will need with the additional translating skills.
The Solution
Vendor selection is critical. The consistency of your message is vital to your success. Select a vendor that can provide you these tools across all mediums of your business from sales tools to trade show media. Some of the latest trends for employee communications are interactive CD-ROMs or custom digital games that focus on your company and industry to help bridge the communication gap. The imagery assists in the effective communication process. An effective picture translates into most languages.
Potential Tools
- International teleconferences
- Develop videotapes or DVDs
- Create presentations and distribute them through newsletters, web sites or Intranets.
- Creative trade show media
In order to build your cohesive team, assist your executive management in effectively communicating to the employees. Begin to develop your strategy for your effective employee communication strategy today. Getting all your employees working towards the same goals will assist in building your national or global brand.
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This article may be reprinted in it's current form with the resouce box below with notification to the author. A link or email copy of the article would be greatly appreciated.
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Wesley A. Ford is co-founder of Immediate Impact, Inc., a New Media development company that specializes in creating memorable media for tradeshows, web sites and interactive CD-ROMS. For more information on Immediate Impact goto: http://www.immediate-impact.com. For tradeshow specific information or training for your personnel, mailto: wes@immediate-impact.com.
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| Keywords: teleconference international teleconferences -, or global, teleconference, teleconferences - develop, will, employee communications, challenge, - international teleconferences, teleconferences, global brand |
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