Videoconferencing makes an impression

Posted by: Chris Holmes in MI Blog @ 5:30 PM

Tags: manufacturing, engineering, innovation, video-conference

Chris Holmes

I had the opportunity last week to moderate a discussion between companies in Singapore and Thailand. What was different about this particular discussion was that we used high-end videoconferencing technology to power the discussion. Having previously been in videoconferencing presentations as a member of the audience, it was my first chance to actually moderate a discussion using the technology. All I can say is WOW! The various companies attending, had not seen the technology before, and after about 10 minutes, where everyone familiarized themselves with the meeting room and the other attendees, it was the as if we were all in the same room - which in fact we were – though half of us in Singapore and other half in Bangkok. The only thing missing was the formal handshake greeting and exchange of business cards.

The opportunities for companies to use this are vast. Certainly at the C level there is the opportunity to save on travel cost and inconvenience, maximizing the senior managements time, but as I suggested in a recent perspective document, the use of the technology within the engineering function, where geographically dispersed design teams, can come together, face-to-face, and resolves issues or brainstorm new ideas – this is where I believe there is still a great deal of opportunity for companies to streamline and improve the collaboration process. Going face-to-face is considerably more productive than the now standard ‘conference call,’ and will certainly assist in the development and generation of new and innovative ideas – something critical for success today.

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