What do you do if your business development efforts are hindered by ineffective video conferencing tools?

1 Assess your needs

Before you choose or switch to a new video conferencing tool, you need to assess your business development needs and objectives. What are the features and functions that you require for your meetings and presentations? How many participants do you expect to join? What kind of devices and platforms do they use? How often do you need to schedule and host video calls? How much budget do you have for video conferencing software? By answering these questions, you can narrow down your options and find the best fit for your situation.

2 Compare and test alternatives

Once you have a clear idea of your needs, you can compare and test different video conferencing tools that meet your criteria. You can look for online reviews, ratings, and feedback from other users to get a sense of their performance, quality, and reliability. You can also sign up for free trials or demos to test the tools yourself and see how they work in real scenarios. You should pay attention to aspects such as audio and video quality, screen sharing, recording, chat, security, and integration with other tools.

3 Train and educate your team

After you select a new video conferencing tool, you need to train and educate your team on how to use it effectively and efficiently. You should provide them with clear instructions, guidelines, and best practices on how to set up, join, and host video calls, how to troubleshoot common issues, and how to communicate professionally and respectfully. You should also encourage them to practice and familiarize themselves with the tool before they use it for business development purposes.

4 Prepare and plan ahead

To avoid any glitches or disruptions during your video calls, you should always prepare and plan ahead. You should check your internet connection, camera, microphone, and speakers before each call. You should also test the video conferencing tool and make sure it is updated and compatible with your device and browser. You should send the meeting link, agenda, and materials to the participants in advance and remind them to join on time. You should also have a backup plan in case something goes wrong, such as a phone number or an alternative tool.

5 Engage and follow up

Finally, you should use the video conferencing tool to engage and follow up with your prospects and leads. You should make eye contact, smile, and use gestures to convey your enthusiasm and confidence. You should also ask questions, listen actively, and provide feedback to show your interest and understanding. You should also record the video call and take notes of the key points and action items. You should then send a thank-you email, a summary of the discussion, and any relevant resources or proposals to the participants within 24 hours.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?