I really only Zoom on Gotham. We at work use Teams and it is an effective tool being a mostly remote employee. It also makes weekly company meetings much easier than forcing everyone into the office. But in person contact is still important and why I frequently travel.

Zooming as a substitute for a face to face meeting, when all other options are unavailable.

Zoom is convenient, efficient and saves time. But we’re still trying to figure out the balance with in-person connection.

I was using Zoom before CoronaTimes. It was better than Skype which I also used. As with all tech it has its benefits and burdens. Functions like screen share are helpful for training and presentations. The ability to blur borders is priceless and it has made people appreciate being in real time in person or on the phone. It is an integral tool for my business and a wonderful asset in my personal life.

Zoom had been a tool a few years before Covid. Many companies had it linked into your outlook tool bar, but no one used it at the time. Yes, I agree, doesn't matter if you use zoom, teams or webex....your losing your ability to engage with people on a personal level and build relationships. It hurts in the long run. Zooming is convenient, you can zoom back-to-back for hours. But are you really getting the same productivity in the end?

The Queens Supreme Court uses Microsoft teams for the majority of their meetings. I have felt "Zoom fatigue" and agree with "Dependable Dan" and prefer in-person. It's also difficult to read one's body language (55% of ALL communication) on a screen.

I have been mentoring college freshman 1:1 the past year (mostly Zoom, sometimes in person) and a common thread of requested help is how to start an in person conversation with a stranger and how to maintain it. They are asking about this when we talk in general terms about communications. They went through high school mostly remote and now they are coping with an entirely new environment, sometimes newly living away from home and trying to make new friends.

Aretha! "Who's Zooming Who?"
https://youtu.be/eYmmFf6M40Y?feature=shared

Yes, zoom existed prior Covid. A few of us knew of it ... and occasionally used it. I believe it's here to stay. Many with several iterations. I waiting for the "phone me up" phone booth where I can dial up Greece or Sicily (both where I've been) or any another place on my bucket list.

I was using DIM DIM (free service) well before Zoom. My teams had started using ZOOM one year prior to Covid. We were up and running the minute "15 days to stop the spread" started. I immediately formed a weekly "master mind" group internally in my agency with like minded colleagues so we could share successes, triumphs, challenges and fears.

Eventually we learned that zoom had not only enhanced revenues 2x but it had provided the permission slip to create more free time to fix up my home, spend more quality time with family and to connect with old friends that I may not have made the effort to see in person.

We worked on our story telling abilities and focused on The Why we do what we do and in smaller meetings, with clients and prospects on screen, was able to discern enough body language and eye contact to know if the communication was effective. I was also able now to have a captive audience whom I could instantly "share my screen" with and if scripted and orchestrated properly, propelled my sales to new, former unfathomable levels.

I think the term "zoom fatigue" is a misnomer and it's only experienced by individuals who did not truly understand the power and range that it offered and the fact that Clients loved all of the "touches" that I was not providing previously.

My biggest take away was to embrace technology, use it to your advantage and become an early adopter. That being said this week I ordered my first "Rabbit R1 Companion" device and now look forward to using the latest game changing technology to not only propel me forward but to simultaneously improve the quality and experience of my leisure and hobbies.

I agree with Ben. Still trying to figure out the balance between ease of virtual conferences-the courts only use Microsoft Teams-and the necessary in person interaction.

Zoom is not only a valuable platform for company meetings, but it also offers the convenience of connecting with people outside of your geographic location. While Zoom is undoubtedly a great tool, it's important to acknowledge that it doesn't fully replicate the experience of meeting in person.