My consulting colleague Ray Hodge from Brisbane, Australia just got word from the doctor that according to some blood tests he isn’t going to be able to travel for a few months. His client base is all over the world and typically meets with them face to face. Since he is home stricken for a few months and because he relies on communicating with his clients regularly to improve their performance he had asked for some ideas on how to use the right tool at the right occasion with a diverse range of clients.
Below you will see 6 options which involve advantages/disadvantages and a variety of tools that will help anyone who is unable to travel because of health reasons, weather problems, or cost to travel doesn’t make sense for the budget.
Phone conversation
Advantages
- Everyone has a phone
- No internet
- Quick solution
Disadvantages
- No visuals to demonstrate advance concepts
- Longer conversations to explain concepts
- Long distance/overseas charges may apply
Tools
- Telephone
- FreeConferenceCall.com – host free conference calls, record conversations, mute participants
- Viber – mobile app to make phone calls free to other Viber users with internet connection
- Skype phone calls – make international phone calls with internet connection
Phone conversation + computer demonstration
Advantages
- Visuals with voice accelerate comprehension
- Decision making time decreases
- Demonstrate website or software
- Hand over mouse control
Disadvantages
- Must have high speed internet connection
Tools
- Phone
- Join.me – simplest screen sharing software
Phone conversation + computer collaboration
Advantages
- Collaborate on documents, forms, and presentations in real time
- Visuals with voice accelerate comprehension
- Decision making time decreases
- Demonstrate website or software
- Hand over mouse control
Disadvantages
- Must have high speed internet connection
- All participants must be knowledgeable using chosen tools
Tools
- Phone
- Join.me – simplest screen sharing software
- Google Docs
- Mindmeister
- Edistorm
Video conversation
Advantages
- Facial expressions and body language deliver more effective communication
- Rapport is built faster using video
Disadvantages
- Increase reliance on faster internet speed
- Both parties must be knowledgeable using chosen tools
Tools
- Google Hangout
- Google iChat
- Skype video call
Video conversation + computer computer demonstration
Advantages
- Facial expressions and body language deliver more effective communication
- Rapport is built faster using video
- Visuals with voice accelerate comprehension
- Decision making time decreases
- Demonstrate website or software
- Hand over mouse control
Disadvantages
- Increase reliance on faster internet speed
- Both parties must be knowledgeable using chosen tools
Tools
- Join.me with Skype video call
- Skype video call and Skype screen share
- Google Hangout screen share
Video conversation + computer collaboration
Advantages
- Facial expressions and body language deliver more effective communication
- Rapport is built faster using video
- Collaborate on documents, forms, and presentations in real time
- Visuals with voice accelerate comprehension
- Decision making time decreases
- Demonstrate website or software
- Hand over mouse control
Disadvantages
- Increase reliance on faster internet speed
- All participants must be knowledgeable using chosen tools
Tools
- Skype screen share or Google Hangouts + Google Docs
- Skype screen share or Google Hangouts + Mindmeister
- Skype screen share or Google Hangouts + Edistorm
Watch this video playlist to get a brief introduction on how to use these tools.
In Summary
Any given __ day you will be asked to communicate with another and/or collaborate to mutual help each other reach one another’s goals. In any situation there are considerations to using the right tool depending on the objective of the conversation. If you have and understand how to use the right tools then you will be ahead of the competition. If you and your clients have and understanding how to use the right tools for the appropriate situation than they will be ahead of the competition.
When you teach your clients how to collaborate faster their results accelerate, you become more valuable, and relationships become stronger.
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