There used to be rules about what you should and shouldn’t put up on screen when you are doing a presentation. First and foremost among them is: don’t just read what's on the screen. That one is still in force.

Another rule involved the benefits of displaying data. That rule still applies to presentations because the video screens for board rooms are getting much better and the information you can display will be much clearer.

Screens replacing projectors

A lot of companies are switching from projectors to large screens. The advantages are clear. You can buy larger, brighter displays that are less expensive than projectors, have a longer life, don’t require bulb changes and have more capabilities. For example, we recently assisted a client who is looking for a 98” touch screen. Another client recently put in a 3 x 3 video wall (3 screens wide by 3 screens high).

When you migrate to these new HD screens, you automatically get cleaner images from your slides and from your video conferencing. That means you see everyone’s expression; are they paying attention to what you are saying? Now, for better or worse, you can see everything.

Video of that quality will change the way you communicate. It may also change how frequently you communicate, because the ability to bring in people from satellite offices with a couple of clicks is a powerful incentive to collaborate. As we bring the boardroom meetings closer and closer to natural interaction, people will want to use it as a way to connect more often.

Smart audio

As screens and video quality improve, audio is also making great strides. Many boardrooms we have worked on have gone completely to ceiling mounted microphones. We recently installed 12 ceiling-mounted microphones. With digital signal processing, only the mic closest to the person speaking would be activated - the others turn themselves down.

This ability to focus the audio on the speaker is one method of how we are getting closer to natural meeting interaction across multiple locations.

Face-to-Face communication

The advances in display and audio technology means face-to-face communication doesn't have to be in-person, but can also be accomplished using the latest technology. 

Rather than a barrier to our natural communication patterns, technology is adapting and making interactions and collaboration more convenient.