The Very Real Benefits of Powerful Virtual Presence
We at Virtual Sapiens, are in the firm camp of highlighting the many benefits of developing powerful virtual presence and communication skills across an organization. As the world opens up and we start to plan for hybrid work realities, keeping in mind the new skills which need to be developed, and the new benefits in need of being realized, will be a core strategy for companies who want to lead us into the future. Outlined below are some of our favorite benefits that can be unlocked by a team of skilled, virtual presence ninjas. SAVE TIME AND MONEY The narrative of saving time on both ends of our typical commute is significant with remote work. In a recent poll on Twitter, 100% of the respondents enjoyed the added flexibility that comes with remote work. From a business travel perspective, video conferencing reduces the need to travel to every client meeting in person. While the time savings for employees and serious financial savings for employers may be obvious, when you factor in the weighted stress of air travel and delays, we open up a higher quality of life for traditionally on-the-road professionals. We know in-person client meetings will resume to an extent. We also now know that high level video calls are much more personal than phone calls and emails. With increased video communication skills and aptitudes, we can use video to effectively connect with both colleagues and clients to GREAT effect. EXTEND YOUR REACH AND INFLUENCE In line with the opportunity of saving time due to the reduction in travel, you increase your chances of finding a convenient time to connect with that important client or colleague oversees. Consider the client who lives across the country or perhaps the globe. Because you no longer have to deal with the opportunity cost of traveling internationally to meet a new client, you can leverage video meetings and refined video skills to create impact much more effectively. Fun fact, Eric Juan, founder of Zoom, never travels for business meetings – and that was pre-pandemic! GROW RAPPORT THROUGH VIRTUAL PRESENCE While many associate the nature of video conferencing as an impersonal experience, this is mostly caused by the users’ lack of experience and skill when it comes to creating a powerful and personal virtual connection. In video settings, more so than in person, we can control what our audience sees. We have a distinct frame of reference – the lens – to which we can orient our gestures, our posture and our background. In those cases where you are video conferencing in to someone’s home, what cues are you able to pick up on that might help you build an even deeper rapport than if you had met in a stale office or at a coffee shop? There is real potential waiting for those who invest in real video conferencing know-how. Virtual Sapiens is being built as an empire to empower a hybrid workforce. Reach out with questions or to get an early quote for your team!
Staying Present and Grounded on Video
No matter what your remote from work set up is, chances are your body is spending a good deal of its time in the same posture. If you are like most other screen-facing professionals out there, chances are you get immersed in your 2D reality and leave your body behind. Whether you are tuned in to your discomfort or not, being connected to our bodies is a core way to stay present, connected and energized. And when we are present, connected and energized, we are better able to fulfill our goals in harmony with our audience. Since we are HUGE fans of keeping the body engaged and an active part of any conversation, here are a few things to keep in mind as you make your way through your day. WHAT CAN YOU DO? The simple answer is to stretch out regularly. The body is a constantly moving ecosystem. Our bodies are most happy when our blood can flow freely from one end to the other. When our bodies are in a stagnant or locked position (which happens just as much when you are standing and hunching, locking back into your knees, as it does sitting slouched over your laptop), our body’s inner circulatory system becomes compromised. The quickest solution is to arm yourself with a series of simple stretches to perform once every 45 minutes. We will soon have a tool to help keep you grounded and feeling good through our Virtual Sapiens platform. THE BEST WAY TO STRETCH IT OUT At the beginnings of any workshop I lead, I take my clients through a series of stretches all designed to alleviate tension, increase blood flow and overall body awareness. These stretches are all subtle – meaning you can do them while standing, or seated in your office or home, you can even do many of them on the go. When it comes down to it, your body craves movement. These movements don’t have to be anything fancy. Even just a few shoulder and head rolls can do the trick. When your body feels free and smooth, as opposed to clunky and stuck, you free up your full focus; ideas and energy are yours for the taking. It can even be as simple as getting up and going for a walk, taking a look outside the closest window and changing up your visual perspective. Research demonstrates that if you introduce breaks like this into your day, you will actually be more productive, not less in aggregate. SETTING REMINDERS TO HELP YOURSELF For those who don’t have a Virtual Sapiens account where you can access our Virtual Sapiens Academy of videos and exercises, here are some pro-tips to help keep you on track: – Set a timer to buzz every 45 minutes. Every time it goes off, do one or two stretches to get your body back into the picture. – Pay attention to how much time you are spending in prolonged periods of the same posture. If you can, move from seated to standing at least once every hour. Start with these two simple things and I promise you, your body and your brain will thank you for this relatively small effort, that will reap massive rewards.