Video lifts productivity, teamwork and financial savings

STUDY finds more than 90 per cent of people and companies using video to collaborate are experiencing higher productivity.

Gravity co-founder Jacqui Esdaile.

In the picture

AN international study commissioned by telecommunications company Polycom has found more than 90 per cent of people and companies regularly using video to collaborate are experiencing higher productivity, better teamwork, financial savings and reduced travel expenses.

More than 80 per cent directly attribute video to making faster business decisions and improving their employee’s work/life balance.

US-based researcher Quocirca, which undertook the survey for Polycom, found that although the survey uncovered the benefits of using video collaboration, barriers remained.

Quocirca’s Rob Bamforth says half those surveyed suggested having more access to video would increase their use. Few organisations have broadly rolled out video to desktop and mobile users, and they typically have limited video availability in larger conference rooms.

“The value of most networking technologies tends to increase disproportionately the greater the numbers of individuals connected,” Bamforth says. “Video conferencing is no exception.

“Moreover, increasing usage also generates more familiarity and comfort with the whole experience. Encouraging a culture of video adoption would therefore seem to benefit both the individual and the organisation.”

He says 45 per cent of people use their mobile devices to join a video conference, and 35 per cent of digital natives — workers aged 25 or younger — use video frequently and from anywhere.

Gravity’s pull

GRAVITY — a luxury co-working space — will open on Brisbane’s Creek Street in March.

Co-founder Jacqui Esdaile says the space will be a vibrant addition to the commercial end of the city, echoing the design of its Sydney predecessor, while referencing Queensland’s bright, bold and welcoming culture.

The work environment will feature an open-plan formal reception area, team meeting rooms concealed by floor to ceiling glass panelling. and a central breakout kitchen and dining room.

Esdaile says Gravity is targeting an emerging workforce of “solopreneurs”, creatives, small business and corporate innovators, fusing the office, home-style luxury and a members’ clubhouse.

The luxury co-working model will also open in Melbourne later this year, catering to the rise in small business and the independent workforce along eastern Australia.

gravitycoworking.com.au

Oil and gas survey

THE sixth oil and gas salary guide has found workers in the sector earned on average $131,954 in 2014, based on a survey of 45,000 employees in 188 countries.

Hays’ oil and gas recruitment division undertook the survey before the oil price crashed late last year. The fall is likely to have a significant impact on salaries and hiring intentions.

Hays oil and gas business director Paula Kirwan says Australia was poised to become the world’s largest liquefied natural gas producer, but the underlying economics are now questionable.

“This has delayed some investments, has put a lid on new LNG projects and has shifted attention to improving the economics and efficiency of existing operations,” Kirwan says. “In contrast, the coal seam gas extraction industry is growing thanks in no small part to export capabilities.”

She says operations and maintenance staff will be the key area of demand in 2015 in terminals and construction, and specialist engineering skills are always in demand. Fly-in fly-out and drive-in drive-out workers will remain common.

Internationally, 95 per cent of oil and gas professionals say salary is the most important factor when deciding to take a new role, and 92 per cent of job seekers judge company’s reputation as crucial when considering new jobs.

Breakfast club

LEADERSHIP group Proteus will hold its annual breakfast series from Wednesday, beginning in Brisbane before going to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

The Braveheart Breakfast will concentrate on being courageous, personally and professionally.

Proteus managing director Richard Dore will head the discussion about confidence in the workplace. A second breakfast series will discuss moving from “busyness to effectiveness”, headlined by James Koch.

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