Remote Meetings Are the New Norm
Your Guide to Effective Virtual Meetings
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has been detected in 95% of the countries around the world. As we wait to see when life will return to “normal”, employers of all types and sizes are erring on the side of caution and working through their day-to-day duties remotely. For many this means working remotely for the very first time and therefore, hosting team meetings, remotely, for the very first time. The amount of electronic meeting systems (EMS) one can choose from is daunting. So, the question is, how does one choose their perfect go-to option? Here at Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center, we’ve outlined our favorite EMS options below and what you can expect so that your next e-meeting is a huge success no matter how many miles separate you and your teammates.
Pros:
Great sound quality for meetings Easily and quickly set up and invite participants by sharing a simple link Capabilities such as screen sharing and video conferencing Go-To Meeting’s Plus plan brings together existing hardware such as a polycom with video conferencing software for a unified team experience
Cons:
While Go-To Meetings does offer a 14-day free trial, it does not offer a permanently free plan Plans are pricier than others and range from $18 to $47 per user, per month. The number of meeting participants varies from 10 to 250, depending on the plan level. Some customers have reported reliability issues with the service because of audio quality and frequent lagging.
ZOOM:
Pros:
Free basic package for up to 100 participants for meetings that are 40 minutes in length or less Free level includes simultaneous screen sharing, desktop sharing, host controls, and a raise hand feature This is the best platform for reporting and cloud storage
Cons:
Conference attendees can get disconnected with the internet connection is slow due to bandwidth support problems. Zoom doesn’t offer more than 1GB of cloud storage unless you purchase additional add-on plans with begin at $40 per month or select the enterprise level tier that comes with unlimited cloud storage.
Pros:
Free basic package for up to 3 participants Free level offers a mobile app and includes simultaneous screen sharing, file transfer and CRM integration
Best for CRM integration with software such as Highspot, Octiv, Yesware, and HubSpot, G Suite, and Slack
Cons:
Join.Me doesn’t offer audio transcription at any tier level. That could be a deal breaker for companies that want searchable text files of meetings and conferences for reference or record-keeping purposes. Some customers have reported that there is sometimes a lag time
Pros:
Free basic package for up to 10 participants Free level offers a mobile app and includes simultaneous screen sharing and document sharing High definition audio Easy to learn interface
Cons:
Missing call controls like mute, meeting lock, switch presenter, that make it easier for the host to manage video conferences efficiently Some customers have reported that screen sharing can cause some lag time
So, which electronic meeting system is our go-to? As a team, we always find ourselves gravitating back to GoToMeeting. Not only is it a platform that millions of people trust every day for real-time virtual communication but it’s fast, easy to use and reliable. While virtual meetings allow us to exchange ideas and information during quarantine, we look forward to the day when we can express our ideas together in the same space. After all, nothing beats the benefits of brainstorming in person, developing those ideas as a team and getting to know our colleagues without the distraction of home life and internet connection. Until then, we hope this helps keep those good ideas coming!
Located just 25 minutes from Center City Philadelphia and situated in the heart of Blue Bell, Pa.,Normandy Farm Hotel and Conference Center is more than a meticulously restored American landmark—it's a fully wired, high-tech hospitality venue. Relax on our grand terrace, sip a cocktail in America's oldest silo, play a challenging game of golf on our championship course, plan an event with us or dine on our delectable farm-to-table cuisine. It all adds up to One Historic Experience
