96 percent of organizations use virtual meetings

If there was ever a doubt that virtual meetings are here in full force, this new finding should dispel it. Some 96 percent of meeting and event planners report that their organizations use virtual meeting technologies -- either Web-based meetings, videoconferencing, or telepresence -- according to a Carlson Wagonlit Travel study.

This probably isn't surprising at first blush. But based on what we're seeing in the marketplace, I think it is. The report cites several factors driving the use of virtual meetings, including improved technology, increased cost pressures, interest in limiting their meetings' environmental impact, and interest in improving employees' productivity and work-life balance.

If these are the business objectives that companies want to achieve, they're turning to the wrong technology. In our customer interactions and discussions, we often hear complaints about the lack of engagement and boredom they experience with Web conferencing services.

What they're looking for is a virtual workplace that lets them increase engagement, collaboration, and productivity, while driving down travel costs and carbon emissions. Sure you can meet almost anytime, anywhere right now using 2-D, "flatland" conferencing services. But we can enable a highly productive, collaborative remote workforce with 3-D virtual workplaces.

What's the case for your organization? How are you using virtual meetings, and how do you think virtual meetings will evolve over the next few years? Feel free to share your stories in the comments.

And for more about the study findings, hit Sue Hatch's coverage in Corporate Meetings and Incentives. I also left my two cents on the findings in the comments. :)

FutureWork Institute's Margaret Regan on why 3-D virtual worlds are the future of workforce diversity and inclusion

Many HR departments have striven to foster work/life balance, increase workplace diversity, and develop ways all employees can make productive contributions to the company, also called "inclusion." But reduced staff and slashed budgets are making these goals increasingly challenging to achieve.

FutureWork Institute, however, is taking a new approach to helping companies create flexible, inclusive workplaces. The organization consults to major global companies in the areas of diversity and work/life assignments. And lately, President and CEO Margaret Regan is championing 3-D virtual worlds as the future of diversity, inclusion, learning, and collaboration.

We interviewed her to learn more, and you can listen to the podcast above. Margaret gives us her take on why 3-D is better than 2-D for fostering workplace diversity and inclusion:

"Without a doubt, we have found that there's a different kind of learning that occurs in the 3-D world," she says. "You know you're at your desk or at home, but you actually feel like you are in the virtual world and the learning is more immediate ... learning seems to be retained better."

Margaret also talks about the Virtual Diversity and Inclusion Networking Event she held, which covered the use of ProtoSphere, Unisfair, and Second Life for large-scale meetings and global conferences.

And if you're an early adopter of 3-D virtual worlds and trying to get C-suite buy-in, Margaret has some advice. She shares what she says to people who believe 3-D virtual worlds are just for playing games, and are afraid the technology has a steep learning curve.

Hit play for the scoop.

FutureWork Institute's take on 3-D virtual worlds for global conferences

You might have heard about some of the work that global consulting firm FutureWork Institute has done with 3-D virtual worlds. The organization focuses on addressing workplace issues of diversity and work/life balance, and helping companies develop ways all employees can make great contributions to the enterprise (what it refers to as "inclusion").

One approach that FutureWork Institute has taken is using 3-D virtual worlds to help organizations create flexible, inclusive work environments. President and CEO Margaret Regan created a video after hosting a Virtual Diversity and Inclusion Networking Event that covered the use of ProtoSphere, Unisfair, and Second Life for large-scale meetings and global conferences. Thought I'd share it with you all here.