Adapting to the Blend of Traditional and Digital Learning Environments

Adapting to the Blend of Traditional and Digital Learning Environments

Hearing the refrain of equal experiences for remote and in-person employees in hybrid meetings isn't a brand-new melody. In the wake of the pandemic, there's been a massive push for Pro AV technology and IT teams to crystallize a solution for keeping everyone engaged, whether they're sitting at a desk miles away or in the conference room down the hall. Yet, it seems that, so far, we've just been dancing around the solution rather than executing it.

"The soundbar for a stellar audio-video experience has never been higher," observes Sam Read, CTS, regional operations manager for Avidex. "What's more, employees expect that the valuable conversations they can have with loved ones over video should rivet those during hybrid meetings with their company. These expectations are a challenge for today's integrators."

Creating a Connected Workforce

But how can you link workers scattered all over the globe? Vizrt recently studied hybrid workflows, and two striking numbers surfaced: 69% of employees believe the quality of communications from their company impacts their engagement, and 40% of employees might jump ship if their company's video communication efforts were below par.

"Over the last five years, there's been an explosion of demand for remote connecting technologies," explains Chris Black, global head of brand and communications for Vizrt. "Today, we can gather in person again, but there's no indication the hybrid work model is heading for a slowdown. With this in mind, our research aimed to understand how hybrid working has affected communication and how demands for effective communication have evolved."

*[The New Era of Hybrid]***

Biamp also surveyed 2,400 workers across North America and Europe last year. The employees were divided into two groups: non-managerial "end users" of conferencing technology and "decision makers" who steer their organization across HR, tech, and operations management.

"Both groups reiterated that great sound reigns supreme in video conferencing," said Joe Andrulis, EVP of corporate development at Biamp. "Indeed, intelligible audio is paramount, but what makes video conferencing truly effective is the sound. And yet, we haven't seen much progress toward enhancing the user experience via audio, other than an improvement in clarity."

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"Clear audio and video open the door to productive and inclusive hybrid encounters," adds Nathan Coutinho, director of business strategy at Logitech. "However, we'll venture to say that clear audio is the more essential of the two. When the sound is poor, the entire meeting falls apart. Yet, the same can't be said for a poor video call."

*[Hybrid World: The Soundtrack]***

The answer is simple: To hook people up, no matter where they are, it's crucial that the conference room is generously appointed with the right AV solutions. These solutions aren't an added luxury for employees, they're a necessity to bring them into the conversation.

"Quality audio and video are the lifeblood of engaging hybrid workers," Black reported. "Our research revealed this significantly affects employee satisfaction. For effective employer communication, 85% of respondents agree that video quality and 88% agree that audio quality is important. But quality audio and video can also add a little entertainment to the hybrid experience, if paired with captivating AR graphics."

Tools for the Trade

Many hybrid workers have been saddled with the same equipment for remote work: a laptop with a built-in camera, speakers, and microphone. While this may work for the remote worker, it can be unsuitable for hybrid meetings. A little education for the hybrid worker could go a long way in nailing the settings just right.

"Organizations could profit greatly from providing documentation to remote employees about how their room setup impacts the quality of meetings," noted Sam Read. "With some easy 'dos and don'ts' documented to these employees on how to set up their working environment, basic modifications to lighting, camera position, and room acoustics can produce a drastic improvement in the hybrid experience at minimal cost to the employee and organization."

Biamp's 2023 survey showed that one of the most coveted features, beside effective audio and video, was for remote attendees to feel just as involved as those in the physical conference room. As Andrulis explained, AI and the widespread adoption of UC platforms are getting us there.

"But we're not quite there yet," he added. "The key to realizing true meeting equity lies in implementing conferencing systems that deliver experiences that are simple, swift, and remarkably dependable. An effective solution requires more than just hardware-microphones, loudspeakers, and video cameras. It calls for an integrated AV solution with intelligent features, including AI, that enhance the experience for both in-room and remote participants."

Auto tracking in both microphone systems and videoconference cameras is essential to keep active speakers in view for the remote participant. But what happens when participants turn their heads to chat with a colleague in the back of the room?

"That's where we took a giant leap in bridging the gap between remote and in-person participants: SmartSwitching," Coutinho noted. "It employs adaptive intelligence to choose the best view between the camera on the table [Sight] and the camera at the front of the room, tracking conversations as they flow between participants and consistently maintaining the best angle of in-person interactions as the conversation undulates between in-room and remote participants."

Achieving Equity

Is there a genuine path to meeting equity between the remote and in-person worker? "I'm uncertain if there will ever be true equity between the local and remote experience," Maru mused. "There are too many variables. The in-person meeting experience is about much more than the technology-it's the rapport before and after the meeting, too."

Some are more optimistic, but it'll take more than just the "right" technology. Don't overlook the spaces themselves. As businesses continue to shrink their physical footprints, leaders should be more strategic and intentional with how they utilize individual offices, shared workspaces, and conference rooms. As a result, many organizations are adopting hoteling strategies.

"Instead of assigning dedicated workstations, employees reserve desks or meeting rooms as needed," Andrulis stated. "This approach allows for maximum flexibility, enabling workers to choose the most suitable workspace based on their specific tasks and requirements."

As far as what needs to be accomplished to propel hybrid videoconferencing technology forward, Read believes an emphasis should be placed on the intent of the design to create the desired hybrid meeting experience. "By focusing on the end user's needs in the context of developments in AI and video conferencing, integrators are better equipped to provide the expected quality from their customers," he said. "Designing an equitable hybrid meeting isn't out of reach with our current state of technology; asking the right questions leads to providing the desired quality for customers."

"As technology becomes increasingly software-based and reliant on standard computer equipment, it's becoming simpler to properly equip hybrid workers," added Black. "This is due partly to the accessibility computers provide, but also because, when technology is designed for universal use, it must be made easy and efficient enough for even the least tech-savvy to pick up."

*[Perspective: The Overworked Meeting Room]***

There's still plenty to accomplish, according to Coutinho. "The transforming nature of dynamic workplaces will continue to introduce new hurdles for meeting equity," he added, "but our industry persists in its pursuit of the holy grail: ensuring everyone feels seen, heard, and engaged."

1. "The need for quality products in conferencing technology, such as soundbars for better audio and video, is crucial in maintaining employee engagement, especially in hybrid meetings."
2. "Employees expect the quality of communications from their companies to be on par with their personal video calls, creating a challenge for integrators in the business landscape."
3. "Effective communication in the hybrid work model is vital, and studies reveal that 85% of respondents agree that video quality and 88% agree that audio quality is important for satisfying employee needs."
4. "To bridge the gap between remote and in-person participants, it's essential to implement AV solutions with intelligent features, like auto tracking, adaptive intelligence, and smart switching, ensuring a seamless and engaging hybrid experience for all."

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