Over the coming weeks we'll be outlining our top 9 video trends for 2023. Today, we begin with our first trend, 'The Importance of Interactive Video For Remote and Hybrid Work', and how it will continue to help transform businesses around the world.
What is it?
When the pandemic hit back in 2019, remote and hybrid working swiftly became the new normal as a necessity to keep businesses running. Since then, society as a whole has quickly learnt that there are a multitude of benefits to adopting flexible approaches to working, and perhaps not as many downsides as originally thought. The shift to a remote and hybrid work led to employees noticing a better work life balance, diversity in teams due to a lack of geographical restrictions, higher levels of motivation, the list goes on.
It was this shift to remote and hybrid work that led to a significant increase in the use of interactive video. In the past few years, the number of technological video conferencing and communication solutions have grown exponentially to support this widespread rise of hybrid and remote working. This technology allows remote and hybrid employees to stay connected and engaged with their colleagues, even when working from home. This holds huge importance to the well-being and overall motivation of employees, increasing feelings of inclusivity, helping to maintain company cultures and reducing feelings of isolation.
As we enter 2023, it’s become increasingly clear that the trend of remote and hybrid work is here to stay alongside the need for interactive video to facilitate it and keep audiences engaged. A report by Census states that, 78% of employees have said that a hybrid work plan leads to a better work/life balance and that working from home improved the well-being for 47% of workers companies will be keen to continue with this working approach. These stats speak for themselves and video will continue to play an integral role going forward.
Why is it important?
One of the biggest benefits of interactive video is the ability to foster collaboration and teamwork among remote employees. Remote employees who use video conferencing technology are more likely to report feeling connected to their team and company culture. In a survey referenced by Microsoft, around 89 percent of remote workers claimed video calling helped them feel more connected to their colleagues. This clearly shows the benefits of interactive video in allowing for more effective, and connected, communication among remote employees. With more than 70% of employees working from home at least two to three days a week, this is a trend that doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere as we head into 2023.
Ultimately, remote work and video technology go hand in hand. Video technology, from real-time video conferencing, on-demand video, webcasts and webinars, was the reason for the relative ease with which companies went from in-person workspaces to completely or partially remote employees. This also spread into hybrid events where audience members can attend both online and in person. It’s these reasons that video will continue to underpin the hybrid and remote trend.
Unsurprisingly, though, hybrid working and events throw up certain challenges for businesses. How do you keep both remote and in person participants included and engaged simultaneously? This is where video, and the interactive tools associated with video platforms will help.
Why keep it in mind?
A Census report that states, 85% of employees currently working from home want a ‘hybrid’ approach of both home and office working in future. That’s a large proportion of workers and it’s going to mean businesses need to get on board or get left behind.
When employees can see and hear each other via interactive video, they are better able to understand and respond to verbal and nonverbal cues. This leads to more efficient and productive conversations and helps to reduce misunderstandings and miscommunications.
In addition to improving collaboration and communication, interactive video can also be used to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture. This multitude of benefits for businesses show that this is a trend worth keeping in mind.
The interactivity of video aids audience engagement when hosting external hybrid events. Despite this, hybrid event research suggests that, 71.1% of event organisers say that connecting the in-person and virtual audience is their biggest challenge. This definitively shows us that this trend requires thought from businesses in order to successfully adopt the hybrid way and utilise video to ensure their participants, whether internal or external, are involved and engaged.
Why you should care
With interactive video, remote employees can participate in meetings, brainstorming sessions, and training sessions in real-time, just as if they were in the same room as their colleagues. This helps to reduce feelings of isolation and disconnection that can often occur when working remotely.
In addition to these benefits, recent statistics also indicate that interactive video can help to improve employee satisfaction and retention. According to a study, workers usually report higher levels of job satisfaction and happiness, less stress and improved work-life balance, if they have a considerable degree of control over where and when they work resulting in high levels of job satisfaction and lower levels of turnover.
It’s important to remember that you need to create virtual events in formats that people want to listen to by including QR codes so people can ask questions, running polls, Q&A’s, moderated and open chat forums and more. This also expands to company meetings, all hands and creating bite sized chapters in your content to boost interaction.
Why do we think it’s a major trend
Remote and hybrid working strategies are crucial to business continuity and incorporating a video strategy to best facilitate collaboration and productivity will continue to be a strong trend as head into 2023.
But using a full range of video is important too. When you need to communicate business-critical thinking, break down complex topics, or align a team around a consistent message, video content is a proven way to success – particularly if your team is disparate and spread out. In a recent Forrester Research survey, for example, 88% of businesses said that video is crucial for their company’s ability to foster corporate culture. This extends to hybrid events too but luckily more advanced video platforms are coming into play offering more interactive experiences to facilitate hybrid events, workplaces and remote working structures.