Everyone in the enterprise knows that Instant messaging or IM is a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text. But less people in the corporate realize key benefits of enterprises of using IM and even lesser people follow the IM etiquette. My attempt is to jot down at least few points of IM usage in enterprise perspective.Below are few key points where enterprise thinks its key benefits of implementing IM in the organization.
- To activate rapid communication & collaboration
- systems requirements are very minimum to implement. It does not require big network bandwidth
- So majority of the users can be enabled without impacting the existing network infrastructure no matter where they are
- Reduce the telecoms bills
- Great benefit, you can easily gauge the telecoms savings by comparing the pre-IM and Post-IM usage.
- Cost effective alternative for audio conferencing
- Helps remote staff get connected
- Provide “presence’ services
- it will help you see the people on-line who are not in your list of IM. For example, if you receive an email with large distribution list and suddenly you have a question on that mail broadcast. With the “presence” enabled in the outlook, you can point the mouse over to the distribution list and then you will be able to see who is online. Target the one whom you would like to engage in an IM conversation.
However, there are some IM etiquette enterprises require its users to comply. I have listed few below:
- IM is ideal and it works better for quick questions. But if you have a complex message to convey, it is suggested that you drop an email and call them.
- Make short and precise - Meaning, keep your IM messages simple words and be understood. The best is no more than two sentences. You can reserve longer conversations for your conference calls or face-to-face meetings.
- While you presenting with a power point slides, make sure you logged out from IM. Otherwise, it will display the IM messages to those who see your PowerPoint slides. Also, it distracts and sometimes disturb the audience.
- IM is not a medium to convey shocking or major official announcement. So be kind enough!
- IM is not a medium to propose and negotiate a contract and assign jobs as it should be in writings and through some tools respectively.
I conclude this blog posting with an article from Maurene about “Instant Messaging: Instant Exploitations”
The field of Web conferencing service growing and is increasignly a popular choice amoung the corporates which enables you to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, customers, and partners, anywhere using a PC with an Internet connection. It can handle from small collaborative meetings to large presentations. This is great solution for your online presentation and meeting requirments.
There are many solutions out in the market, and I would like to take LiveMeeting as example here to explain the top eight benefits from using this tool for meetings without the expense of traveling.
So why waste time for preparing the business trip. Let you your bags rest and start using Web Conferencing tool. No need to wait in long queue at the airport anymore, conduct your business meeting from the comfort of your own office or home.
Most of the effective web conferencing tool can help you participate in meetings around the world in quick notice and with a minimum cost. Here are the some ways Web Conferencing Tools can help you be more productive.
- Minimum Travel - Reduce travel substantially by communicating and collaborating online and in the real time. What that means to you is no need to leave your desk to conduct meetings with others. By doing this, tremendous amount of time and money will be saved. Last but not the least, get rid of all the difficulties of a business travel.
- Improve productivity - Creating more time by spending your time wisely. Meaning, you can eliminate the delay while getting to and from your meetings destinations while meeting your customers, colleagues, partners more frequently. This will increase your business efficieny in the same amount of time.
- Cost Effective - Start online meetings, online training, and online events becuase any effective web conferencing tool will offer you dramatic return on your investment compared to the expense of doing business face-to-face.
- Collaborate easily - Most of the web conference vendors offer easy-to-use and familiar user interface. So all you need is a computer connected to Internet to begin your online meetings. For example, if you use Live Meeting, it works directly with your other applications, for instance Microsoft Office and Live communication messenger.
- Standardised for all type of online meetings - Most of the web conferencing vendors offer a standardised user interface which can support all types of online meetings ranges from small team meetings, to training, to mega events with thousands of participants.
- Deliver effective online presentations - You can deliver remote presentations with the same effectiveness as being in person. Most of the Web conferencing tools support Microsoft Office PowerPoint animations and transitions, and the ability to receive real-time feedback from your audience, you can successfully get your point across without having to be in the same room.
- Extend & Expand your customer base - There is no geographical limits, start expanding your client base. Access people are easier irrespective of where they are. Increase your people reach in short span of time with a very minimum of cost compared to being there in person.
- Real time Collaboration - You can share, collaborate, and brainstorm your projects in real time. Achieve a rapid positive results. Time is a precious commodity now and no one wait for everyone to be in the same place at the desired time. So, using an effective web conferencing too will help make critical business decisions in real quick with stakeholders, irrespective of their geography.
Here are some of the vendors who provides web conferencing services in the market.
Genesys
WebEx
GoToMeeting
Intercall
Collaboration can occur between multiple people that share a
common goal of mutual value – the outcome of which is new, blended information. Technologies such as team rooms, chat and whiteboarding are samples of technologies, which can be used to support human collaboration.
However, the term “collaboration” is a buzzword that has never been, nor will ever be, succinctly defined. Collaboration is an abstract term through which the goal is to create tangible value.
Defining collaboration is irrelevant. The exercise creates no value. However, measuring the degree of “valueness” resulting from human collaboration can be aligned to business imperatives. Vendors would be wise to remember this in their marketing.
Originally published in Grey Consulting
We are starting messagingblogs as a group. Our weblogs will cover messaging technologies, trends, industry news from various messaging & collaboration platforms.
This blog will also complements the news coverage and reports at Grey Consulting & MessagingTalk.org
