Global Companies Video Conferencing & Going Green Strategy

We just posted a note about video conferencing and the recent realization from many companies that it can help the environment significantly. That is of course if the online meetings are being held instead of flying.

The most recent article was aimed at those in the U.S. conducting business in the U.S. I came across an article and statements here on ITWeb in which Patricia quotes Dan Engel, regional sales manager for Israel, Greece and Southern Africa at Polycom.

“It has become an issue for most corporates and enterprises to look at how they act and how they can save the environment,”

Obviously the impact can be exponentially greater if global companies embrace video conferencing and online meetings thereby reducing travel even more.

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Online meetings save the planet by cutting carbon emissions

There are many reasons to use video conferencing. An article, or press release, was put out stating that you could save the planet by cutting carbon emissions and thereby creating a greener planet.

This was discussed in the Companies Worldwide Rely on Polycom Video and Telepresence to Cut Carbon Emissions for a Greener Planet release found on CNN Money. They state that those such as ….Easynet, CoStar, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP understand that recent advances have put video conferencing and telepresence within reach of companies of all sizes. The latest HD video systems now pay for themselves the very first time three people choose to avoid one international trip and elect to use video instead.

While cost savings, convenience, and time savings are all reasons to utilize video conferencing, the fact that you are helping reduce emissions for a greener planet is a nice bonus. The article was put out by Polycom.

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10 Reasons for Online Meetings

Online meeting software exists for many reasons, everyone typically has one particular reason as to why they choose online meetings. Most that I know love it once they try it. There is a learning curve but many of the online services are now very user friendly and easy to get started with.

We compiled a list of reasons to justify using online meetings. Here is our Top 10 reasons to use online meetings.

10. Everyone is Doing It!
Okay, maybe not everyone, and this is not the best reason – that is why it is number 10. However there is some merit in the fact that more and more people are familiar with online meetings and more likely to accept and participate.

9. Ease of Use
Using an online meeting service means that you only have to learn that one system and it is the same no matter where you are or what computer you use. Presenting in person typically means that you are presenting with an unfamiliar computer, a projector, you may need to hook up external speakers, obtain power, all the issues of setting up a live presentation or training session in a foreign environment. Using an online meeting is the same every time and eliminates the frustrations.

8. Multiple Presentations
An easy way to have multiple presentations or training sessions in one day is to provide online meetings. Simply set up multiple meetings and once you are finished with one you can simply logout and login to the next. No one has to travel and there is little to no setup or tear down after each presentation. You also do not have to leave your location, essentially your desk.

7. Greater Participant Attention
Most individuals are less distracted when they are in their own office or home, in front of their own computer, and watching a presentation or training session. They are more likely to have the comforts they are used to, their chair, computer, coffee mug, attire and therefore less distracted and more able to retain the information they are exposed to.

6. Better Interactivity and Participation
In a live meeting you have to give up control of your computer and physically move people around in the room. Someone not familiar with your computer may not know where to find what they need. However with an online meeting you can pass the control to other meeting participants and they can control your desktop with their computer and try what was just described for hands on training or present to everyone else as well.

5. Recordable
You can record your presentations or training sessions as they take place. Of course you can edit later if you like. Both audio and video may be recorded. You can then send to those you presented to if they would like to watch again or send to others that were unable to attend. Your best online training sessions could be provided to others and alleviate the need for a live meeting all together.

4. Most Efficient
When presenting or providing a training session to individuals at various companies or locations, it is easier to invite everyone to an online meeting instead of arranging for multiple people to meet at one location. It is also less ackward when the participants do not know each other, arrive late, sit near someone they do not know etc.

3. Easy to Host Large Meetings
It is rare, for most companies today, to have a physical space that can hold all the employees or all the participants of a large event such as a corporate meeting. Having an online meeting eliminates the necessity for a large physical space or the renting of one.

2. Time Saver
The typical meeting, if anyone has to travel, can be an incredible time waste. Not only can travel time be eliminated but also the time to set up a meeting room such as plugging in a computer to a projector (which always causes problems). The amount of time saved eliminating travel and setup is invaluable.

1. Cheapest
Clearly without a doubt the monthly price of an online meeting service pays for itself if you only hold one meeting per month. The fact that no one has to travel saves money. A $50 a month service cost is obviously much cheaper than travel expenses.

There are many more reasons than the above, what are yours? (comment below)

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Online Meetings : HearMe

Affordable online Audio and Video conferencing from HearMe, try their free trial.

  • Show your powerpoint or other files to meeting participants
  • Free trial for the first time users; monthly plans start at $29
  • Meeting rooms hold up to 150 people, or more
  • No downloads – hold meetings right through Internet Explorer

HearMe: Connect with Anyone Using Video, Voice, and Web Conferencing. Try HearMe Free Today!

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Free Online Meeting

If you would like to try online meeting software, invite your participants and host an online meeting then give GoToMeeting or MeetMeNow a try for free.

Free Online Meeting

The trials below are fully functional and allow you to try before you buy. WebEx has a free trial to their popular MeetMeNow online meeting and conferencing software. Get their Free trial here

GoToMeeting coupon provides $10 if you decide to keep GoToMeeting after the free trial. Might as well try a free online meeting. See the Free Trial + $10 Off Here.

You cannot get a free domain but you can get a great godaddy coupon to get a good deal.

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Schedule a Meeting Conference

Once you have installed gotomeeting you simply schedule a conference.

First
You first right click the GoToMeeting system tray icon.
go to meeting icon
Second
Next choose the Schedule a Meeting option or Meet Now.
schedule meeting
Third
Next you will be prompted with a login screen, use your email and password to login.
login meetme
Fourth
Depending on the type of account you signed up for you may see the following screen, just choose the number of attendees.
attendees
Fifth
Now you schedule the meeting, first give it a name and then choose the date and time. Click the Schedule button to continue.
schedule a meeting
Sixth
Now you can send the invitation to your prospective meeting attendees. Simply enter their email addresses and click to send.

send a meeting invitationMake sure you received your GoTo Meeting Free Trial.

Enjoy as it is a great product, and you can always try WebEx and receive a WebEx Free Trial.

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Install GoToMeeting

Installing GoToMeeting is simple. First get your Free Trial + $10 Off.

When you click through on the Free Trial above, you will then do the following:

Create Account
Register online by creating a username and password for your account. Once registered, you’ll be able to host an unlimited number of online meetings with anyone. Your meeting attendees don’t have to be GoToMeeting registered users and can attend your meetings for free.

Set Up GoToMeeting
The automatic setup takes seconds, and no configuration is required. GoToMeeting will download to your PC and enable you to host and join online meetings with a few clicks. You’ll have the option to schedule meetings through the GoToMeeting Web site, via Microsoft® Outlook® and through instant messenger applications.

When downloading you will be prompted with the following message regarding security, check the “always trust content from this publisher” and then click the Run button.
goto meeting install
The installation will continue and once complete you will see the GoToMeeting icon in your system tray, it looks like the following image:
go to meeting
Read our article on scheduling a meeting to learn just how easy it is to get started.

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GoToMeeting Promo Code $10 Off

GoToMeeting coupon provides $10 if you decide to keep GoToMeeting after the free trial. See the Free Trial + $10 Off Here. Simply install the software and start your first meeting. You can use the microphone on the computer and the video camera. Test it out with a computer next to you and see how easy it is. You can use it not only for meetings with others at your company but also clients or prospective clients.

GoToMeeting promo codeThis promo code and coupon is only available by clicking this link: Free Trial + $10 Off Here. It is always nice to have a trial and a 30 day trial allows you to test it out not only by yourself but with others. The presentation ability is amazing, try it with your own internal team and you should be impressed. This can be a huge resource saver both with respect to saving money as well as time. Companies love to save money and employees love to save time and reduce travel.

Typically you can easily explain this to a CFO as an extremely low monthly charge which allows for unlimited meetings can greatly outweigh just one car rental, not to mention air travel and hotels. For those sales people going to outside meetings or presentations this can save quite a bit of money. Also when using it for inter company meetings you can save time and money as well. Presentations, help desk or internal IT to fix a computer on the road are additional benefits.

Also if you need a domain name, take a look at this godaddy coupon to get the best deal.

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Meetings Online with Citrix and GoTo Meeting

Of all the applications GoToMeeting is the easiest and fastest to get setup and going. Others may have more bells and whistles, however most only use 5% of their wordprocessor functions, or 5% of their spreadsheet functions, so a solid performing, reliable and cost effective solution for online meetings like GoTo Meeting is just what you may need.

You can host as many meetings, as often as you like, for one flat monthly price. Take a look at their free trial of GoToMeeting: Free Trial + $10 Off.

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Online Meeting Service

A good online meeting service should be available with little hassle to those that are going to join you. It is typical to have the individual who sets up the service do the work and those joining need as painless process as possible. Take a look at this easy to use conferencing software.

Demonstrate. Communicate.
Collaborate. For One Flat Rate.

Sign up for a FREE TRIAL of GoToMeeting and discover how you can:

  • Hold as many meetings as you want for as long as you want — for one low rate
  • Never see another overage charge or “extra fee” again
  • Dramatically reduce travel costs, save time and increase productivity
  • Take advantage of the easiest-to-use and most affordable Web conferencing solution on the market

GoToMeeting: Free Trial + $10 Off.

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