Desktop Video Conferencing for a Workgroup

Desktop Video Conferencing for a Workgroup

Looking for an effective way to connect with your team, focus on a specific task, and get work done? Look no further than your desktop video conferencing plan. The idea here is to gather together, state what you want to accomplish, and then get to work independently on the stated task. Thus, in a one-hour session, you might spend 5 minutes in the video conference initially stating your goals, then set the timer for 50 minutes of offline work, and then return to the video conference to share what you accomplished or what you may have struggled with during that time.

Whether you’re part of a small, remote team or an online community of like-minded individuals, regular video meet-ups can help keep you connected and on track. Here’s what you need to get started.

A desktop video conferencing plan — Our Video Pro Conferencing plan is perfect for workgroups. Not only is it affordable, easy to use, and available without a contract, it’s loaded with useful features such as collaborative notes, screen-sharing, personal share space, presenter controls, chats, free VoIP audio, lecture mode, mobile apps, and more. Everyone can join from a standard web browser, making it ideal for groups who may not be tech savvy.

A reason to gather virtually — What is the reason for the workgroup? It could be anything from making progress on a team project or on individual goals. For example, an engineering firm in need of a LinkedIn presence might schedule monthly workgroups where each principal commits to working on their LinkedIn profiles or creating content to share. A group of watercolor artists might meet monthly in a video conference to work on their designs. Meeting in this ways has a built-in accountability factor, helping motivate participants to get to work.

Simplicity — The old “keep it simple” adage holds true here. Pick a set time and date for your desktop video workgroups such as the last Tuesday of every month from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Your agenda should also be simple and consistent from one session to the next such as 5-minute opening where everyone shares their plans for the session, a 50-minute offline work session, and a 5-minute closing/sharing session.

Eager participants — This method isn’t for everyone, but could be the push many people need to work on tasks that they want to do but often get pushed to the back burners. When inviting participants, stress the benefits. This is NOT your typical video conference. It’s a dedicated slot of time for working on work that matters. It’s also a shared experience, which is a welcome reprieve for remote workers who often work in isolation. Your work group can be as small or as large (up to the limits of your video conferencing plan) as you’d like.

Using desktop video conferencing for a workgroup in this manner allows for face-to-face interactions. Webcams can be used by multiple participants or turned off for those who prefer not to appear on camera. Screen-sharing and pass the presenter controls works well for sharing digital accomplishments such as graphic designs, PowerPoints, animations, etc.

We’re currently offering a free, 30-day trial of Video Pro. Get it now and hold your first workgroup today.