VC calling

VC calling

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VC calling

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VC calling

Meetings without the travel

Wave goodbye to cramped journeys with no leg room; use video conferencing for your meetings. Instead of wasting hours travelling for a conversation or conference, save money, time and carbon by doing it from the comfort of your office - or even your own home.

By downloading your chosen video-conferencing software (see here for a list of VC software you can use), you can chat without crossing the country or the seas!

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Why

Here are a few reasons to take action.

Click for more info or scroll to read them all.

Carbon

Cars, buses, trains and planes all pump out carbon emissions. By reducing your travel, you'll be significantly reducing your impact on the environment.

Time

Video conferencing leaves you time rich. If you think about all the time you spend researching your route, getting to the station and buying tickets, not to mention the actual time you spend travelling, it's potentially hours for every meeting. But with a video conference, you just need to find a comfy place, make yourself a cup of tea and hey presto, you're ready!

551

miles a year is how far the average British citizen travels for business.1

Money

Staying in one place saves you money. No more overpriced train journeys or rip-off taxis. It makes business sense… especially when you have all those extra pennies to spend on delicious fairtrade coffee!

Health and happiness

Commuting and business travel are never fun. You'd know that if you've ever got on the train at rush hour: sad faces, sweaty armpits and heavy hearts are wedged together like sardines in a tin. According to the stress experts, commuters can experience greater stress than fighter pilots.1 Seeking flexible work alternatives such as video conferencing can actually lower the risk of long-term health issues.

Global Goals

In September 2017, a historic agreement was signed by UN member nations agreeing to work towards 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030, otherwise known as the SDGs.

Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals alike. We can - and must - all play our part.

By making the 'VC calling' pledge, you are contributing in your own small way to the following SDG targets:

12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

How

  1. Find out if your office has any conference calling facilities and book them (and if they don’t, ask the facilities manager to get on the case!). Simple.
  2. Sign yourself up to a video conferencing site. Skype is free and easy to install, though if you want to talk to several people then there are plenty of other providers to choose from. Megameeting and Nefsis have free trials available. And if it’s just voice you need, most smart phones have a multi-person call features these days (just click ‘add call’ once on the first person is on the line).
  3. How’s your webcam? Most modern computers include good quality webcams and microphones but it’s worth ensuring you don’t look or sound like a robot!
  4. Check your internet connection and account beforehand with a test call to a friend or colleague.
  5. Find yourself a quiet, well-lit location, and get yourself a glass of water or a cup of tea.
  6. Happy meeting!

Success Stories

448

Pledges
in total

149,629kg

CO2
pledged