Audio Conferencing Benefits in the Nonprofit Sector

  

  

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Audio conferencing has been an effective communications tool within the corporate world for a number of years. The difference today is that many organizations have implemented new technologies that allow for much lower communication costs with audio conferencing, which is helping to drive its use.

For the nonprofit sector, this form of communication and collaboration with board members, contributors, partners and colleagues can help drive streamlined operations while adhering to strict budgets.

The Technology of Audio Conferencing

With audio conferencing, two or more people can communicate and collaborate across vast distances. The technology available today allows participants to an audio conference to share more than just verbal ideas.

Audio conferencing is a simple enough concept as it involves the use of a standard telephone or a computer telephone. A regular telephone connection allows users to dial in to hear other participants on the call.

A computer telephone uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology in which the user will wear a microphone and earphone headset plugged into the computer’s USB port. The participants’ voices are then carried over the Internet just as they would be a traditional phone conference.

These individuals can now use their computers to work on the same document or navigate through other software applications at the same time. Digital whiteboards allow for notes, pictures and even outlines to move the process of collaboration in a positive direction.

Nonprofit Application

If you are unclear as to how this might apply within the nonprofit sector, consider the art museum that is planning a $2 million building project to extend a wing of the museum. A lot of planning among a broad group of people is involved in such a project.

If a change needs to be made within the architect’s plans to accommodate an overlooked issue, the ability to include all decision makers on one call to view changes in one application can save considerable costs as moving forward does not rely on the ability to gather all parties in one physical location.

With audio conferencing technologies, nonprofit organizations can drive effective communication and collaboration while saving considerable travel costs. More than $60 billion dollars is spent on gas driving to business meetings and other work-related appointments every year. Audio conferencing enables organizations to still communicate at the same level they need to remain focused on their goals, while keeping better control over costs.

Time is Money

Nonprofits can also save a considerable amount of time when utilizing audio conferencing in lieu of physical meetings. When a number of people are involved, scheduling a physical meeting can take a number of hours, weeks or even months to get organized. An audio conference can be scheduled through a simple Outlook invitation and those who cannot attend can revisit the recording later.

Even with today’s technology advancements, there are still situations where face-to-face meetings cannot be replaced. For the majority of communications, however, audio conferencing can ensure effective communications continue, without breaking the budget to get it done.