Asynchronous video is one-way video communication recorded and shared for viewing at any time. It isn’t a replacement for video conferencing, but a way to optimize situational awareness and manage workloads so that when real-time dialogue is necessary, it’s as clear and productive as possible.
Asynchronous video combines the clarity, emotion, and engagement of video conferencing with the flexibility, ease, and retention of an email or instant message. It’s a powerful tool for saving time, reducing costs, and improving productivity—and best of all, it’s easy to get started.
Here are five crucial times you should use asynchronous video to make an impact at your organization:
1. Make status updates more efficient and actionable.
Whether it’s a daily stand-up, weekly scrum, or quarterly departmental share-out, use asynchronous video to prerecord content and circulate it to relevant stakeholders for on-demand viewing. Not only does this save time, but it also allows all team members to access consistent information regardless of geography or schedules.
Take action: “Flip” your next status meeting by recording a brief video update for your team.
2. Preserve and share institutional knowledge for greater productivity.
Asynchronous video helps people distill essential information into bite-sized learning modules that teammates can access when and where they need it.
Creating an internal learning library of simple, self-recorded videos improves productivity and efficiency in the short term while preserving key institutional knowledge in the long term.
Take action: Ask each of your team members to record an informal how-to video documenting a common tool or process essential to their work.
3. Ensure consistent and engaging onboarding.
Asynchronous video helps standardize onboarding processes that are typically dependent on each individual manager or office, creating a more equitable experience for all employees. On-demand modules also free up managers to focus on the more collaborative and team-building aspects of onboarding.
Take action: Standardize one part of your employee onboarding process through asynchronous video.
4. Optimize and scale training programs.
Asynchronous video empowers the learner to control their training experience, increasing access, engagement, and ultimately, learning outcomes.
For trainers, the ability to record simple, self-produced training videos allows for greater scalability. On-demand content also helps optimize training schedules and budgets by reducing the need for travel or schedule alignment.
Take action: Record your training—it’s an essential first step to improving access and engagement.
5. Capture town halls and key leadership presentations.
Recording important company updates as asynchronous videos not only helps leadership share the same message across multiple offices or countries but also gives employees sufficient time to digest information and surface thoughtful questions.
Moreover, creating a library of past presentations helps keep both company leaders and employees accountable to organizational goals.
Take action: Divide your next company town hall into an asynchronous prewatch and synchronous discussion.
What Is Video Conferencing for?
For urgent issues like a broken product or angry client, it’s best to use video conferencing to put out the fire. Asynchronous video delays communication by design, so when a time-sensitive problem arises, you should always turn to real-time video conferencing to quickly brainstorm with your team.
Synchronous and asynchronous video are complements, not substitutes. Consider different methods for each of your communication needs. By balancing live video conferencing and recorded, on-demand video, you can power an engaging and productive working model to keep your company competitive in an evolving business landscape.