We recently conducted a research study with YouGov to understand more about how UK organisations meet to do business. The research timed in with our UK launch of RingCentral HD Video Meetings, and we were curious to know the trends surrounding face to face, audio and video meetings. What we found was quite interesting! While businesses enjoyed meeting face to face, 66% said that travel time was an inhibitor and 50% said that in-person meetings were a cost disadvantage. According to 32% of respondents, a lot of time is lost on small-talk or over-run meetings. Audio conferencing is very time and cost efficient so it’s not surprising that 60% prefer to organise a conference call. Not surprisingly, 34% of businesses said it was much easier to bring together geographically dispersed individuals with conferencing. While audio conferences can be very effective, it’s not easy to tell if participants are always paying full attention. Nearly a fifth of those surveyed admitted they have taken calls in odd situations such as: while in pyjamas, outdoors or even in the bathroom. When asked, 71% of businesses said they thought new technologies such as high-definition video meetings were preferable to audio conferencing as participants were more attentive and engaged in the meeting. Interestingly, it is the younger generation that is more open to embracing video conferencing, trialling and investing in new technology. The over-riding conclusions were that HD video conferencing gives businesses the best of both worlds—engagement and interactivity of face to face meetings with the cost and time efficiency of audio conferencing.

1. Time, Cost-Efficiency and Distributed
Workforces Drive Conference Call Uptake
Younger generation will drive the investment in new video
conferencing technology
www.ringcentral.co.uk
FACE-TO-FACE MEETING AUDIO CONFERENCING
About this Survey
The online survey was conducted in March 2014 within the UK by YouGov on behalf of
RingCentral. It was conducted among 1,106 senior decision makers within B2B companies.
This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of
theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
HOWEVER...
VIDEO CONFERENCING BRIDGES THE GAP
YOUNGER GENERATIONS ARE DRIVING UPTAKE
WHAT HAS HELD UP THE ADOPTION OF VIDEO
CONFERENCING UNTIL NOW?
50% 60%
34%
33%
62%
32%
71%
27%
13%
24% 16% 39% 26%
35% 28%
46%
Believe the
biggest
disadvantage is the
cost of travel.
Find
conference
calls more time and cost
efficient.
Use
conference
calls as they work in a
multi-dispersed team.
Claim
conference
calls are more viable for
business abroad.
Lose most
time when
travelling to and from
meetings.
Admit most
time is lost
due to distractions
such as making drinks
and small talk.
Would use video
over audio
for conferencing.
People have even
participated in
conference calls in
unusual situations.
Use video
conferencing at
least once per
week.
45+ year olds
18-34 year olds
Poor image and
sound quality.
Complexity
of setup.
For improved
inclusion
19% in locations
such as outdoors or
in the bathroom.
19% in their
pyjamas or not fully
dressed.
For better
engagement
Say face-to-face
meetings make
the most sense for
conducting business.
18-34
year olds
Are likely to invest in the
technology in the next
year.
With the right HD video conferencing software, businesses
have the tools to build and maintain long-lasting relationships
whilst also maintaining viability and efficiency.
Will spend more time using
the technology in the next
year.
45+
year olds
18-34
year olds
45+
year olds
31% 23%
VS
£
£