Web Conferencing: Stealing Email's Secret Formula (part 1/3)
By now, we’re well acquainted with the benefits of web conferencing. Here are the most common benefits once again:
- It’s a replacement to travel
- It’s a cheaper way to meet
- It’s a more efficient way to meet
- It’s a productivity enhancer
- It’s eco-friendly
These are all valid and logical benefits, and yet studies show that less than 10% of businesses use web conferencing. Since it’s so useful, why aren’t more people using it? What’s the deal?
There are parallels to draw between the introduction of web conferencing and that of email that may help shed some light.
Now, I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that I didn’t jump on the email bandwagon until it was pretty well established. How could this be? Consider the benefits of email:
- It eliminates my trips to and from the mailbox (no travel)
- It eliminates my need to buy a pen, paper, envelopes and stamps (cheaper)
- It delivers my message in a fraction of the time it takes the postman to do it (more efficient)
- It enables more frequent communication between me and my pen pal (more productive)
- It gives me a sense that I’m doing my part to save the earth by conserving paper, and fuel for my letter’s delivery (eco-friendly)
Here’s why I was a quasi-laggard:
- Email was a foreign, scary technology (I didn’t “get” it)
- It seemed so impersonal and rigid
- I didn’t understand the rules of engagement
- I didn’t know where to get it
- I didn’t think it would help me in any way
As illogical as these reasons may sound today, they were completely valid and logical (at least to me) back in the 90s. Nevertheless I eventually hopped on the email bandwagon and I couldn’t possibly imagine life without it now.
So what was the secret formula that email used and what can web conferencing do to "steal" it? Stay tuned for part 2 to find out!
Irene is the Web Collaboration Product Manager at ACT (
irene.psimenatos@canada.acttel.com)