Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! I wish I had bought stock in Zoom when they first arrived on the scene.
It seems like everyone is using the online platform to conduct meetings and connect with friends and family.
Zoom Video Communications, Inc. is an American communications technology company headquartered in San Jose, California. It provides videotelephony and online chat services through a cloud-based peer-to-peer software platform and is used for teleconferencing, telecommuting, distance education and social relations.
Founded in 2011, the company had a revenue stream of 2.65 billion dollars in 2020. They employee over 2,700 people.
During the pandemic, it has been one of the leading companies that helps get people online when they are working from home.
Initially, after the frantic scramble to get office workers online at home, Zoom has become a necessary evil for many people.
Kevin O'Brien, a litigation partner at a law firm, says it has reached the point where the last thing people want to do is log onto Zoom and other online communication platforms.
O'Brien says he prefers old school voice calls rather than using Zoom and says many clients prefer the same.
It's amazing the reaction you consistently get from clients, who say how nice it is to receive an old-fashioned dial-in rather than a Zoom invite,” he says. “There’s just something "inherently calming about knowing you aren’t going to be on screen.”
"Zoom fatigue" is a real thing. Many companies are implementing measures to help their team members overcome this.
As children's ministry leaders we need to keep in mind that some of our volunteers may be exhausted by how many Zoom calls they are on each week.
“It is far more taxing to be on Zoom calls than it is to be in person, where many people get energy from being physically with other people,” says Mary Alice Vuicic, chief people officer at Thomson Reuters.
A recent study revealed that 13% of women and 5% of men report feeling "very" to "extremely" fatigued after Zoom calls.
I have personally been using Zoom for a large part of my work with churches and church leaders. I find that it helps me connect better when the only option is to connect virtually.
But I do agree with some of the findings and will be more diligent to use my "Zoom time" more wisely and will keep in mind how others on the call may be feeling. I'll also start using more phone calls when I can instead of using Zoom.
I would encourage you to think about this as well. Zoom is a great tool, but too much of a good thing can be harmful as well. We must be wise and know how we can best communicate with our volunteers and colleagues.
Your turn.
What are your thoughts about Zoom? Are you a fan?
Do you use Zoom to connect with your leaders? How often?
Have you experienced any "Zoom fatigue?"
Do you believe Zoom is still the best method to connect with your team members?
What are some other ways or programs you use to connect with your team members?
Share your thoughts and insight in the comment section below.
