Despite growing adoption of video conferencing technology within various businesses and industries, employees still seem hesitant to turn on their cameras. Here are some common reasons why people are still wary of video conferencing software.

Multi-Tasking
Despite the fact that multi-tasking hurts productivity, many workers still believe they can get more done. A video call or video conference demands a person’s full attention, disrupting or preventing multi-tasking, thus employees tend to avoid them.

To counter these beliefs, try to help your staff understand how multi-tasking can be counter-productive and explain the great benefits of concentrating on a single task. Do they believe they have to multi-task because they are involved in too many meetings? Re-evaluate their importance to certain calls and move toward a more balanced workload.

Eye Contact
Video calls come very close to mimicking in-person conversations, however, the minor details can make a difference. For example, some people shun video calls because of the lack of genuine eye contact.

The way most video conferencing cameras are set up, someone gets left out. If you are looking at the other person on your screen, it looks as if you are not making eye contact. And if you look at your camera so that it appears as if you are making eye contact on their side, you cannot focus on the other person’s face on the screen. This may seem like a minor issue that most people can overlook, but for some, this is a big enough problem for them to forgo the process altogether.

Platform & Network Issues
Not all video conferences run smoothly. Because there are so many different video conferencing software choices, participants may need to download new software in order to partake in the meeting.

There are also the relatively minor issues concerning audio or video, from poor audio quality to choppy video, or maybe the presenter is having trouble sharing their screen. Regardless of what it is, this may leave a bad impression and you can easily lose precious time. Plus, this does not account for the highly technical issues, such as network instability or interruptions.

Personal Appearance
You can take a business phone call virtually anywhere these days, whether in office, on the go, or even at home. However, with video calls, you must make sure that your environment and appearance are presentable.

Something about being on camera tends to make people feel more self-conscious and put on the spot. This may be attributed to the little window where participants can see themselves, intended to ensure proper lighting and angles. Unfortunately, it ends up acting like a mirror and participants may sometimes become fixated on their appearance.

Interruptions
If you work in an open-plan office, video calls can be tricky. You may be in close proximity to coworkers who are on calls as well, while others may interrupt you with no regard to what you are doing. There are numerous ways and things that could cause a distraction, making it difficult to conduct video calls without interruption.

Knowing what causes hesitation in your employees can help you address the issues and create a more effective system, leading to increased participation in video calls and conferences. Have tips to share on how to increase video conferencing adoption? Connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest today!

Shop our great collection of video phones, conferencing systems, and more at Startechtel.com today! If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 800-564-8045.

Tags: Hesitant To Adopt Video Conferencing, Video Conference Participation, Video Conferencing Troubles