Thinking about meeting productivity in the workplace, you likely consider a variety of factors. And an important one is how much time gets actually spent in meetings. What you might not consider is that audio conferencing could be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Audio conferencing for your business

This meeting format makes it easy to bring everyone onto a call where they can hear each other and speak equally. It makes participation easier and accessible. Furthermore, audio conferencing can reduce meeting burnout as it doesn’t require video performance.

Let’s dig in a bit more. Here are five reasons why your business needs to implement audio conferencing.

1. Easy to understand

Anyone who has the dial-in information for an audio conference is able to participate. Most audio conference lines provide multiple options to call in. Participants can dial in from their smartphones, analog work phones, or their computers.

From a managerial standpoint, audio conferencing is ideal for onboarding team members and reduce wasted time. Everyone can jump right into the call, even without playing the can you hear me game. And new employees don’t have to learn how a specific software system works.

The process is intuitive with multiple options to accommodate different technology setups.

2. Made for the hybrid work environment

Both employees and employers highlight the hybrid environment as the best option for post-pandemic work. In one survey by Gallup, 53 percent of remote-capable employees expect the hybrid work environment to be normal moving forward.

If you have both remote and in-office employees who need to meet, you typically fall back on two options: bring the remote employees into the office or set up a virtual meeting. However, you risk wasting travel time if everyone comes into the office. Conversely, Zoom fatigue has become a real issue for many companies.

Audio conference is more equitable and accessible and can be used easily, no matter where employees are. Plus, with everyone dialed in, you don’t have to worry about the in-office employees talking over those who have called in.

3. Phone calls are still the preferred way to communicate

In the 2022 State of the Call Report by Hiya, which reached 12,000 consumers and 2,000 businesses, respondents said they prefer:

• The standard phone call – 32 percent
• Emails – 20 percent
• Texting – 12 percent
• Video calls – 6 percent

This means only six percent of your employees are excited to log into a video call where they have to turn their cameras on. Let me repeat that: 6%!!!

Furthermore, not only is audio conferencing preferred, but it is also the most effective. Your team members can better convey tone and context that is often lost in email or chat messages. They can also talk back and forth to resolve issues faster without worrying about how they look or whether their video quality is good enough.

4. Employees are exhausted by video calls

Studies show that employees spend more time staring at themselves and making sure they’re presentable during a video call than actually listening. They’re nodding and showing they’re listening—which means they may not be retaining as much information. Not to mention, all of this performative listening is exhausting. Your team members are less productive because they feel tired during the day.

Audio conferencing accommodates all different listeners. One employee might sit hunched over to take notes. Another might scrunch up their face to process the information. It’s more important for your company that your team members retain the information than looking good in the process.

5. Conferencing software provides a better experience

There is a significant difference between audio conferencing and a standard phone call. Audio conferencing tools allow multiple people to jump on the line at once. You can bring on a small team of three for a call or host an all-hands meeting with lots of employees.

With VoipNow for example, you’ll give your team the advantage of smart meetings. They can make audio conferences with other team members or business partners, no matter where these are located or what device is used. Such conferences can be created on-spot or scheduled in advance as one-time or recurring events. And for more complex scenarios, your team members can setup access policies, participants, and conference time options.

Audio conferencing for your company

Audio conferencing can accommodate any company size. It’s an ideal format for communicating whether you’re a small firm with a few remote workers or a global organization that employs thousands of people.

This method of communication allows for the highest level of productivity, so your team members can quickly solve problems and clear up communication issues more efficiently.

It’s time to move away from our dependence on in-person meetings, video calls, and even email. Choose what makes your employees more productive and, at the end of the day, happier.