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Business travellers take up teleconferencing
The latest tool of widespread technology to join E-mail, cell phones and instant messaging is Web conferencing, says a senior manager of marketing for MCI. Neal Lulofs told TravelMole: “The service continues to grow. We found 39 percent of respondents to a survey used it for the first time last year. This indicates a change in behavior.” MCI, which has been surveying business travel habits for three years, came to three conclusions in their most recent study: there is an increased acceptance of business travel alternatives, Web conferencing has arrived as a mainstay business communications tool, and senior management are taking on the role of E-leaders. The study predicted business professionals will return to the skies, but will also continue to use collaboration technology, particularly conferencing, in tandem with travel. “We think it‚s not going to be either take a trip or use conferencing, but both,” said Mr Lufofs. The MCI study found nine out of 10 respondents expect to use audio, video or Wet teleconferencing in the coming year. The study pointed out that Web conferencing has grown rapidly, making it among the fastest-growing business communication tools. “Business leaders are beginning to understand the power of Web conferencing and why interacting via a Web conference is better than face-to-face for aligning teams, keeping meetings focused and producing exceptional results,” said Jaclyn Kostner, the author of several books on virtual teamwork. Major reasons why respondents say they prefer teleconferencing to traveling were increased efficiency and time savings. Others reasons for choosing teleconferencing: reduced corporate budgets, company policy, better work-life balance and increased productivity. Some respondents pointed out they saved time even before a meeting. Nearly six in 10 surveyed said they have wasted time waiting for others to arrive at a face-to-face meting. The MCI study involved 1003 qualified respondents who had taken at least one trip by air for business purposes and attended at least one meeting via audio, web or videoconferencing in the past year.
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