Unsure How to Conduct Hybrid Meetings? Time for a New AV Design

Virtual meetings are straightforward enough when everyone participates over video. People join individually from their laptops or computers, and we see each other in small squares on a grid. 

But now that companies are making the move to return to the office (“RTO”), video meetings are presenting new challenges. Some of us may be together in the conference room but are joined by remote participants over platforms like Zoom and Teams. 

At the table, people have the advantage of proximity to pick up body language and spur-of-the-moment conversations. Over video, remote participants may struggle to hear or see what’s going on, and their ideas may not be heard, either. 

How can we ensure the “new normal” of hybrid communication doesn’t create new problems? With an intentional AV design, we build conference room systems that address these issues and make meetings a seamless experience for all. 

Keep reading to see how Level 3 Audiovisual enhances hybrid conferencing for businesses worldwide.

SEE ALSO: 5 Benefits of Developing AV Standards for Your Enterprise 

Why Are Hybrid Meetings Worthwhile? 

You may be thinking, “Should we even bother with hybrid?” and follow suit with CEOs like Elon Musk, who recently announced Tesla would return to in-person work. While face-to-face communication is ideal, in many cases, the option to communicate virtually will provide tremendous advantages to your company. 

For example, if your company has offices in the U.S. and the U.K., you need a simple and personal way to quickly communicate with both locations. Calling over the phone is not as personal as video, and it’s costly and time-consuming to send staff overseas every time you have an important meeting. With hybrid-equipped meeting rooms, you’ll save time while still preserving valuable eye contact and real-time collaboration.  

Room Design for Success 

If you only mount a single camera at the front of the room, remote staff will be stuck looking at people’s ears and profiles, as those in-person look at each other across the table. And if the only microphones are at the head of the table, remote attendees will strain to hear the entire conversation. 

Instead, we leverage smart cameras and microphones with software to intelligently capture everyone’s face and voice. Smart cameras installed around the room will track and move with participants, so they’re always seen, and the room’s audio is mixed for clear, balanced sound. The room should be designed with acoustics in mind, too, to eliminate distracting echoes. And we install large displays side-by-side so that content and meetings won’t compete for screen time.  

Set Up for Flexibility 

Your business may mostly use Microsoft Teams, but what if you need to join a Zoom meeting? We can plan for flexibility with bring-your-own-device options, like USB, HDMI, or wireless sharing that lets you run any collaboration platform over the hardware. That way, you never run into incompatibility issues, no matter what room people meet in. 

Could your company benefit from partnering with an audiovisual expert that understands the challenges of modern hybrid meetings? Level 3 Audiovisual is a Tempe, Arizona-based managed services provider that helps organizations of all sizes around the world. 

Learn more about our solutions by contacting Level 3 Audiovisual here or sending us a message in the chat box below. We look forward to working with you!