THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
The Importance of a Video-first Culture in the Workplace
Sridhar Iyengar, Managing Director at Zoho Europe, explains the advantages of maintaining a face to face environment in a remote world.
In the continuously evolving landscape of workplaces, the intersection of technology, work culture and societal shifts is reshaping business environments and changing the way employees carry out their jobs. Today’s complex work environment faces a variety of challenges, from communication hurdles to work overload and the threat of burnout. Video-first Strategy A video-first strategy is one that prioritises video as the primary channel for engagement and communication in the workplace. This strategy acknowledges that video interactions hold a distinct personal touch compared to other remote communication modes like voice calls, emails, and text-based chats. It accentuates visual and audio cues, enhancing interactions within the workplace. Recent surveys underscore the efficiency of video conferencing: 94 per cent of companies found that productivity is the main benefit of video conferencing, while many assert that it increases employee engagement as almost half (47 per cent) of workers stated that they preferred a hybrid workplace model. The core goal of a video-first strategy is to harness the advantages of face-to-face communication, even in the context of remote or hybrid work setups. By embracing video as the primary medium, organisations can cultivate deeper collaboration, elevate employee engagement, foster continuous learning and development, and establish an engaging work environment. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace is a top priority for the majority of businesses today. Implementing practices and policies
that champion fairness, respect, and understanding is essential to nurture this. Businesses should consider initiatives such as: l Provision of diversity training and comprehensive education programmes l Implementing non-discriminatory hiring and promotion procedures l Creating employee support groups or affinity clubs to empower under- represented workers Video-first communication provides a powerful platform for employees to share their experiences, learn from one another, streamline hiring processes, and promote a culture of empathy and understanding. Training, Mentoring and Guidance In the face of rapid technological evolution, continuous training and development is vital for workers to remain competitive in their respective fields. When delivering training sessions to employees spread across different locations, mere resource sharing through messages may fall short. To be successful, organisations should include a video-first approach to execute effective training programmes accessible to a dispersed workforce. This viewpoint is supported by research highlighting that companies employing video- based training programmes see a 54 per cent surge in employee engagement. Teamwork and Enhanced Collaboration As companies expand across borders and teams become more diverse, fostering collaboration and efficient teamwork is critical. Video-first communication solutions can simplify collaboration, empowering team members to exchange ideas, collaborate
Sridhar Iyengar Managing Director
zoho.com
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