Audio technology solutions are evolving at a relentless pace, but sometimes these new products and systems can be unnecessarily complicated.
This complexity can often be sold as a unique selling proposition (USP) or a sign of “superiority” over simpler systems: the more time and energy needed to manage can only mean it is top-class, right? However, as organisations across the world redesign their office space to accommodate hybrid working, they don’t want complex kit or a solution that needs specialist knowledge for maintenance or upgrading.
Companies adopting a hybrid work environment want audio solutions that are easy to use, install, and that won’t break the bank.
“When a system is so complex that IT doesn’t have the time or resources to manage it, end users will likely also struggle to use it,” said Darren Zwack, VP of marketing at Nureva.
“Most team members in organisations have little patience for mastering technology just to have a hybrid meeting. They want to stop wasting time with technology and get down to the important conversations.
“For hybrid work to actually work, the audio experience in hybrid meetings needs to be easy and natural – which isn’t always the case with complex audio systems”
To ensure they choose the right solution, businesses must first figure out what their audio needs really are and then choose a product that fits into their budget, Zwack added.
Focus on Your Needs
To make hybrid meetings easier for employees, managers should opt for audio solutions that offer full-room coverage without the need for multicomponent systems.
“In hybrid meetings, people need to be able to move from their seats – perhaps to use a whiteboard – and still be heard,” said Zwack.
“Requiring people to stay seated within an area of coverage can make meetings feel stilted – having to avoid dead zones in the room is a distraction that just makes everything more complicated.”
Ideal meeting room audio systems should also be able to prioritise voices over background noises, making it easier for remote participants to clearly hear the conversation in the meeting.
