<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Media Smarts
Review: Before September 11, 2001, videoconferencing was becoming more popular. The distractions of not-fully-developed technology were being overcome and the media was increasing in use-for ongoing meetings as well as formal conference presentations. Some people are fairly proficient with the use of videoconferencing-understanding when, where, how, and why. Most of us are relatively ignorant, a dangerous position when videoconferencing on an individual and group level is exploding. Finally there's a book that guides us through the many important aspects of this emerging field. Lead author Janelle Barlow is an accomplished speaker with an international reputation. The co-authors work for the same consulting firm. They have extensive experience participating in videoconferences, so they've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Realizing that there was not a good comprehensive layman's book in the field, they did the research and prepared a tool to educate and prepare us. Their perspective is that videoconferencing is growing, but will not replace face-to-face meetings. The new technology has its place, and reading this book will help you understand where that "place" is in the grand scheme of human-to-human communication. The authors propose that there are four habits to learn and embrace to look good and have a high level of effectiveness. The habits, which are each explained-taught-in separate chapters, are Leverage Your Choices (videoconferencing is not always appropriate), Think Prime Time (viewers expect you to look good-and professional . . . just like what they see on commercial television), Make Technology Your Friend (it all works for you, if you let it . . . but then, there's Murphy's Law), and Maximize Your Presence (the little tricks of the trade to improve your appearance and presentation). Rather than throw readers directly into the deep end of the pool, the authors invest the firsts section of their book in a valuable explanation of videoconferencing's position, opportunities, and limitations. After they've presented their habits, they conclude with a comprehensive checklist, legal issues like copyrights, and a perspective on the future of the field. More added value comes from the appendices on storyboarding and commonly mispronounced words. Included are a bibliography, index, and a comprehensive list of terms used in the field. Vignettes about experiences with videoconferencing spice up each chapter, providing a lightness and a sort of permission to be human. This is a developing medium, not a science. Learn from this book, try videoconferencing, allow yourself to make some mistakes, and build your competence and confidence. The future is here.
Rating:
Summary: Very good book for end users of videoconferencing
Review: I enjoyed reading the book. Even easy to read for me who is no??-native speaker of English or intermidiate learner of the language. I did not have to look up dictionary so often.
Anyway,I think that this book will be good especially for those novice end users who have just started using the video technology and who want to use it in more effective and productive ways.
I think that this is a kind of a book that end users desire.?@Basically they are not intersted in how technology works behind but more and more they are interested in benefits and effects that they anticipate to get from using the technology. Not intersted in features and capabilities etc.. Some may, though.
However, I would like to point out one thing.
There is a paragraph in page 10 regarding Japanese video market graph. What is written is not correctly translated into English.
The numbers in the year 1998 and 2000 are based on a prediction by unidentified source according to the web page.But numbers in the year 1988,1993 and 1995 are actual numbers.
The graph was a part of a presentation made for doctors in Saitama to understand the status quo of videocommunications in relation to medical activities. But it does not show the source.
The numbers includes all kinds of video equipment from room or board type to set-top to PC based to surveilance. It does not mean one product category.
But it is true that the first video service was launch in 1984 by NTT, but it was actually not as popular as expected. Just a handful of big companies in Japan used the service to slash costs associated with travels, and the service cost per month as running cost was unjustifiably quite high to smaller businesses, so it did not go hit. And after that, audio service introduced also by NTT that offers relatively inexpensive service which could be accepted by smaller businesses.
Rating:
Summary: Great job on the presentation aspects of the field
Review: I have read a lot of books on the subject of VC. It is great that someone has finally begun to look at the very important presentation aspects of this field, which the authors have done extremely well. This book is a fantastic primer for how to look your best during a VC and create the right impression with your audience. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: When the Stakes are High ...
Review: Last month, after our company installed a new videoconferencing system, my boss asked me to assume responsibility for our first trial meeting with a midwestern customer organization. I was very excited about the promise that this new technology could afford our business. But, I must confess, that the actual videoconference event was a big disappointment. Even though the equipment worked as promised, the meeting felt like Ted Mack's "Original Amateur Hour." That's when I began browsing around for a book that might address the weaknesses I perceived in our interaction. And, I discovered that only one book - of the dozens available on videoconferencing - actually dealt with the human communication issues involved. After my first experience, I can attest that these are, indeed, the most important. Our next videoconference event is scheduled in a few days - and I think our company is now much better prepared, thanks to the helpful, practical tips in this book, Smart Videoconferencing This book emphasizes the significant differences that exist between a face to face meeting and a videoconference. There is a paradox involved, because the videoconference demands both greater care and professionalism, while, at the same time, there is the necessity for a sense of relaxation and authenticity. I can tell you that our first event lacked both of these qualities - and our company lost some business as a result. Now, I think I we can avoid the mistakes we made last time. I highly recommend this book for anyone engaged in videoconferencing when the stakes are high.
Rating:
Summary: Too bad we didn't have this earlier
Review: Our company has a slew of videoconferencing equipment, and as the authors of Smart Videoconferencing predict, we've made slight use of it primarily because of bad use. Now that I've read this book, I can see where we went wrong. You don't simply plug in this equipment and hold a regular meeting. The stakes are too high. I'd recommend this book to any company that has VC equipment or any company contemplating getting it.
Rating:
Summary: Smart Videoconferenceing: New Habits for Virtual Meetings
Review: Smart Videoconferencing is a must read for anyone who is going before a camera. The authors give simple tips which can maximize your presence on camera. It is a quick, simple read. Well worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Smart Videoconferenceing: New Habits for Virtual Meetings
Review: Smart Videoconferencing is a must read for anyone who is going before a camera. The authors give simple tips which can maximize your presence on camera. It is a quick, simple read. Well worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: AN EXTREMELY HELPFUL BOOK
Review: This book has greatly helped me raise my overall presentation skills in videoconferencing and make much more of an impact on the people I am communicating with. I wish such a book was available several years ago! It was also very easy to read and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: A Much Needed Guide to Successful Videoconferencing
Review: This book is thorough and absolutely the first of its type that I've seen. Many organizations have videoconferencing technology and they aren't using it fully -- or using it at all. I don't know where people got the idea that they can just sit in front of a camera and behave the same way as on a teleconference or in person. Some people don't like the way they get exposed on videoconferences. On teleconferences, they can hide when they don't know the answer to something, or madly shuffle through their papers. They can't behave the same way on a videoconference as on a teleconference. They have to prepare differently for it. They need to learn new habits. This book is the first that shows you step-by-step how to prepare for and successfully participate in videoconferences. It will help you to be successful with this rapidly emerging business tool. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Packed with Knowledge!
Review: This is a concise, direct, very practical handbook for organizing a videoconference and communicating effectively on camera. The tips on organization, preparation and choosing the right medium for your meeting are especially helpful and new. Many tips, especially about grooming, makeup and clothing, are so simple they border on simplistic, but for those who have no experience in media or performing (such as corporate executives), these clues could make the difference between success and failure. Authors Janelle Barlow, Peta Peter and Lewis Barlow back up their pointers with real-life anecdotes which reinforce their ideas quite convincingly and provide the book its only real entertainment value; otherwise it's relentlessly practical. We from getAbstract found this book useful for anyone who is organizing or participating in a videoconference. When you're on the air, you want to be in the know.
<< 1 >>
| 
