I can see how videoconferencing would have several benefits compared to more traditional forms of communication.  However, could the real reason for increased productivity and attention be that participants can no longer hide the other activities they perform while on conference calls?  I can just imagine the typical worker with one ear on the discussion, while texting, looking at emails, eating, feeding the baby, walking the dog, and who knows what else!  So I'm not surprised to hear that seeing people leads to more productive meetings!

I smiled guiltily when I read your comment, Joanne! You may well be onto something there, but I'd say no matter the reason - whether it's because people do pay more attention when they can see the other party or it's because, like kids, they know they'll get busted if they're caught not paying attention - the end result is the same: Better productivity. I think that, at a time when organizations are investing in their networks because of cloud or security, it really makes sense on so many levels for them to make sure they can also support videoconferencing. When study after study shows the same results, when so many people work remotely, when there are so many mobile devices that support decent-quality VC, surely it doesn't make any sense not to use this tech more broadly today?

Videoconferencing has become so easily accessible. With Skype and Google both having easy to use programs on PCs, and Apple having FaceTime it is easier than ever. 

Companies still spend a lot of money on fancy videoconferencing systems, but that does not really seem necessary for today's mobile and often remote worker. I would expect to see more video calling to meetings from our personal devices in the future!

Is it a good thing not being able to multi-task while stuck on conference calls???

It depends. Really, you shouldn't have meetings that aren't productive but in the real world, we know there are meetings where speakers drone on unnecessarily, where people pose questions that have nothing to do with the topic, and presenters repeat themselves or are unprepared. I guess you could always have an "Internet connection problem."

I agree, Kim, that unproductive meetings, regardless of the medium, are at the root of the problem here.  One of the benefits of working for home, or working virturally, is to be able to focus.  Unproductive meetings, like office chitchat, become diversions from that.

Good points, Joanne.  I like Alison's blog.  I truly think we can make wider use of videoconferencing.  Your identification of the value of focus is the key, I believe, to making those human connections productive. 

In the organization physical setting we spend a lot of time on the "peripherals", whether business or social, that do not directly apply or add value to the purpose.  I think the videoconferencing favors a focused purpose and the engagement of all parties.

DHagar

Thank you, @dhagar. We've all, I think, been to meetings where we've wondered why we just wasted an hour or 30 minutes; conversely, I hope we've attended meetings (or, ideally, held them), where most of the time was useful, and attendees left with concrete steps to take or goals in mind. Regardless of whether they're in-person or via videoconferencing, meetings should have a goal and a focus, as you say @dhagar. When that's the case, videoconferencing makes them more effective than phone- or email-based sessions since remote attendees are more prone to listen better, feel part of the group, and share their ideas and thoughts, just as if they were physically in the room. 

I would think that this should be considered on a case-to-case basis. While some people can multi-task and really get things done, most people can't. At least, based on what I've seen from colleagues and stories I've heard from friends, and of course, from personal experience.

So, long story (or answer) short--Yes, I would think it's a good idea not being able to multi-task in these cases.

"It's Time to Connect With Videoconferencing" - - This is what I was saying back in 1995 with our product Sharevision 2000 for PC. Granted it was too expensive back then even with a dial up solution such as Sharevison but it worked good.  I hope we hurry up this is getting a little ridiculous for something so practical and simple to employ.  I still get blank stares, crossed arms and not much else of substance when suggesting remote work these days.