Tag: engagement

6 Tips to Transform Performance & Boost ROI with Video

Video has become an essential part of digital marketing and is becoming increasingly popular with businesses of all sizes. It’s a powerful tool for improving performance and boosting ROI, but it can be difficult to get the most out of your video campaigns. Here are six tips to help you transform your performance and boost ROI with video marketing.

1. Focus on Quality. Quality is one of the most important factors when it comes to video production. Investing in quality equipment and production will ensure that your videos look professional and are engaging for viewers. Investing in quality video production will also help you to stand out from the competition.

2. Make Use of Analytics. Analytics are essential for measuring the success of your video campaigns. You can use analytics to track the performance of your videos and make sure that you are getting the most out of your campaigns.

3. Optimize for Search Engines. SEO is an important part of video marketing. Make sure that you are optimizing your videos for search engines, so that they can be easily found by potential customers.

4. Utilize Social Media. Social media is a great way to spread the word about your videos and increase engagement. Use social media to promote your videos, and encourage viewers to share them with their friends and followers.

5. Incorporate Video into Your Website. Video should be an integral part of your website. Embed videos into your website to engage visitors and increase conversions.

6. Invest in Professional Services. Investing in professional video production services will ensure that you are getting the most out of your video campaigns. Professional video production services can help you create high-quality videos that will engage viewers and improve your ROI.

These are just a few tips for transforming your performance and boosting ROI with video marketing. By following these tips, you can ensure that your video campaigns are successful and that you are getting the most out of your investment.

If you’d like to learn more about how CircleHD can help support your training and team enablement efforts, we’d love to speak with you. Get in touch here.


Microsoft Stream Alternatives to Consider in 2023

Is your team stuck using Microsoft Stream for your internal content distribution?

Unsurprisingly, Microsoft has force-fed its video platform Stream to IT departments and leaders in the Office365 eco-system for years. But with a lack of features, support and news that Microsoft is sunsetting its platform’s “Classic” version, it might be time to switch.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for enterprise and mid-market businesses looking for an easy-to-use and secure video hosting platform.

Doomed from the Start: Microsoft Stream Lacked Product Strategy

Microsoft Stream is one of the most popular enterprise video platform services out there. With millions of users already using apps like Outlook, Teams, and Sharepoint, it would seem a no-brainer for companies to make Stream their go-to service for content hosting.

Unfortunately, Microsoft Stream lacks the advanced features found in many of its competitors—things like custom reporting and robust security protocols—which has left many users feeling disheartened.

The platform’s lack of product strategy hasn’t done it any favors either: updates have been few and far between, while questions posed to the Microsoft Stream support team have gone unanswered.

When you look at the timeline of the product, you can see it’s never been a priority for Microsoft:

2015 – Microsoft Office 365 video
2017 – Microsoft Stream
2019 – Microsoft Steam Classic and Microsoft Stream 365
2021 – Microsoft Stream (on SharePoint)
2023 – (just kidding) Stream Enterprise on SharePoint that runs on Azure

The product lacked direction, commitment, and investment. Therefore it has suffered a loss of functionality over time – limiting users to a basic feature set while competitors have leapfrogged the product.

Use Cases for a Microsoft Stream Alternative

Back in 2020, when the pandemic first hit, the need for remote collaboration skyrocketed. Zoom meetings became the norm, and remote work was no longer an inconvenience but a necessity.

With that came a dire need to easily share and disseminate information with colleagues, customers, and partners. Enter enterprise video solutions for internal communications, training, and more.

The main use case for enterprise video for employees is typically for internal communication and collaboration. Enterprise video platforms are often used to share information and updates from leadership, deliver training and onboarding content, and facilitate team meetings and presentations.

Microsoft Stream seemed like the perfect tool to alleviate newfound information-sharing struggles. It had some exciting features, such as automatic closed captioning, aka ML-based transcription, that was powered by Azure. You could live stream events, upload and share videos, and integrate with other Microsoft tools like Office 365 and SharePoint.

However, in practice, Stream was clunky and difficult to use, and users could never find the content they needed.

Video content should capture knowledge and expertise from subject matter experts and be easily accessible to a broader audience. This can be particularly useful for organizations with a decentralized workforce or remote employees.

Your internal videos should also create a sense of connection and community among employees, especially when remote work is more prevalent. This can include things like virtual town hall meetings or employee-generated content.

Another great use for video in enterprise settings is for e-learning and training of employees or performance evaluations; video can be used to create engaging and interactive learning experiences, improving retention and understanding of the material.

With the right tools, Corporate Communications Managers, HR Departments, and Sales Leaders can easily distribute consistent messaging with just a few clicks… but Microsoft Stream creates gaps in the workflow regarding user engagement, content searchability, and more.

What is an Enterprise Video Solution?

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, enterprise video solutions are web-based platforms for hosting and distributing corporate videos. They often include features like analytics, security protocols (e.g., encryption), and configurable user permissions to control who can view or share content.

These tools enable companies to quickly and easily disseminate information, such as product launches, company updates, training materials, etc.

The best enterprise video solutions come with features like live streaming, powerful security settings, customizable branding options, and integrations with other popular business applications like Salesforce, Slack, or Zoom.

Why Microsoft Stream Doesn’t Work as an Enterprise Video Platform

Microsoft Stream is a well-marketed enterprise video platform that is included in Microsoft 365 and offers a range of features for managing, sharing, and tracking videos within an organization.

However, like any software, it has some limitations and potential downsides.

Some of the demerits of Microsoft Stream include the following:

Limited Customization: Some users have reported that the platform’s customization options are limited, making it difficult to fully brand and tailor the platform to their organization’s specific needs.

Limited Integration: Microsoft Stream is integrated with other Microsoft products, like Office 365 and SharePoint, but it may not integrate as seamlessly with non-Microsoft tools and systems.

Limited Analytics: While Microsoft Stream offers analytics on how videos are used and viewed, the data is not as robust as other enterprise video platforms, making it difficult to understand viewer engagement and fully make data-driven decisions.

Limited scalability: for large enterprises with a huge number of employees, videos, and content, it may be difficult for the platform to scale to meet the organization’s needs.

Limited support: some users have reported that the support options for Microsoft Stream are limited and that getting help with the platform can be difficult.

However, other enterprise video platforms, such as CircleHD, Kaltura, Brightcove, and Vimeo Enterprise, offer similar features and benefits and might better fit certain organizations.

If you are evaluating different platforms, we have put together a checklist and RFP template you can use to see which one fits your needs.

How to Choose the Right Enterprise Video Solution for Your Company

When choosing an enterprise video platform, there are several factors to consider. Some important considerations include the platform’s scalability and security and its ability to integrate with other tools and systems within the organization.

Additionally, it’s essential to consider the cost and support options available for the platform. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a platform that doesn’t have the features you need or adequate support when an issue arises.

Finally, it’s important to evaluate how easy the platform is to use and customize. The video platform should be easy for employees to adopt quickly so they can use it effectively immediately.

4 Reasons to Choose CircleHD as a Microsoft Stream Replacement

CircleHD is a full-featured enterprise video platform; it’s important to evaluate all options and choose a solution that best fits the specific needs and goals of your organization.

Scalability, security, integration, and cost should all be considered when deciding.

1. CircleHD offers better video quality.

Microsoft Stream’s streaming quality is often subpar, resulting in choppy, pixelated videos. CircleHD, on the other hand, offers smooth, high-quality streaming that users can rely on.

2. CircleHD is more user-friendly.

Microsoft Stream can be difficult to navigate, with a clunky interface and inconsistent user experience. But CircleHD is intuitive and easy to use, making it much more enjoyable for users.

Plus, with full integration with single sign-on solutions, such as Azure Active Directory, Okta, or OneLogin. It’s easy for your users (no matter their level of technical skill) to log in, access content, and learn quickly.

3. CircleHD offers a better learning experience.

Microsoft Stream doesn’t do a great job tracking and reporting user engagement with videos. CircleHD, however, has powerful analytics tools that help you understand how users engage with content and make data-driven decisions. And with a simple interface, leaders can easily create courses tailored to job functions and roles.

4. CircleHD is more affordable.

Microsoft Stream can be expensive, with its monthly subscription plans ranging from $5 to $15 per user. CircleHD, on the other hand, is much more affordable for scaling and growing enterprises.

Getting Started with a New Enterprise Video Solution

Changing your video platform is no small task – it can seem daunting, especially if you have a large library of existing videos. That’s why choosing the right vendor and platform for your organization is important.

Once you’ve chosen an enterprise video solution, create a plan for migrating your content and ensure that everyone is properly trained on how to use the new platform.

Finally, take advantage of all the features available within your new platform. Enterprise video solutions like CircleHD offer exciting ways to share data with your team — you just have to make the switch.

If you’d like to learn more about how CircleHD can help support your training and team enablement efforts, we’d love to speak with you. Get in touch here.

Democratization of learning at work

The rise of the internet and mobile technologies has led to a democratization of learning at work. With more and more employees working remotely or in different time zones, traditional learning models are no longer feasible. Video is an ideal solution for this problem, as it can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

There are a number of advantages to using video for learning at work. First, it is a very engaging format that can hold attention better than text or audio. Second, it can be easily paused and rewatched, which is perfect for employees who need to learn at their own pace. Third, video can be easily shared, so employees can learn from each other as well as from experts.

How can employees use videos to learn at work from peer to peer?

There are a few things to keep in mind when using video for learning at work. First, make sure the videos are high quality and professional. Second, ensure that the videos are properly captioned so that employees can follow along. Third, consider using video quizzes or surveys to gauge employee understanding.

When used correctly, video can be a powerful tool for on the job learning. By following these tips, you can create videos that employees will watch and that will help them learn new skills and improve their performance.

This video is an excellent resource for sales training. It covers the basics of selling, including customer service, product knowledge, and sales techniques. It also provides helpful tips on how to close a sale and handle objections.

Video for employee onboarding

This employee onboarding video will help your new hires learn about your company culture, values, and expectations. It will also introduce them to their fellow employees and give them a chance to get to know the company better.

When it comes to employee onboarding, there are a lot of different methods that companies use in order to help new hires acclimate to their new roles. Some companies opt for more traditional methods, such as in-person meetings and orientations, while others are starting to use more modern approaches, such as online learning platforms and video conferencing.

There are a lot of advantages to using video for employee onboarding. For one, it’s a great way to connect with remote employees who may not be able to come into the office for an in-person meeting. Additionally, video is a great way to deliver a lot of information in a short amount of time. And, lastly, it’s a great way to create a more engaging and interactive experience for new hires.

If you’re thinking about using video for employee onboarding, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure that the video is high-quality and professional. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that the video is clear and concise, and that it covers all of the important information that new hires need to know. Finally, you’ll want to consider using video as just one part of a larger employee onboarding strategy, and not the only method.

Peer to peer learning

There are a few ways employees can use videos to learn at work from peer to peer. One way is to create a video library of how-to videos that employees can access when they need help with a task. Another way is to use video conferencing to connect employees in different locations so they can collaborate on projects or share knowledge. Finally, employees can use video chat to connect with remote co-workers or customers.

If you’re looking for a modern and effective way to onboard new employees, video is a great option to consider.

Remote work

There are many ways to collaborate remotely, and one way to do so is by using video. This can be done through video conferencing, video chat, or even just by sharing a video of what you’re working on. This can be a great way to stay connected with team members and to get work done more efficiently.

Hackathon / Engagement / collaboration/ ideation

There are a few things to keep in mind when creating a video demo for an employee hackathon. First, make sure to keep the video under two minutes. This will help to keep your audience engaged and ensure that your message is clear. Second, focus on demonstrating how your idea can be used to solve a real-world problem. This will help to show how your idea can be impactful and useful for employees. Finally, be sure to end your video with a call to action, such as encouraging employees to participate in the hackathon.

Video can be a powerful tool for on the job learning. When used effectively, it can help employees learn new skills, retain information and improve performance. Here are some tips for using video for on the job learning:

1. Make it engaging: Use engaging visuals and audio to keep employees engaged.

2. Keep it short: Videos should be short and to the point. Employees are more likely to watch and retain information from a short video than a long one.

3. Use multiple examples: Use multiple examples to illustrate a concept. This will help employees better understand and remember the information.

4. Use real-life scenarios: Use real-life scenarios to show employees how the skills they are learning can be applied in the workplace.

5. Provide follow-up: Provide employees with follow-up activities or resources to reinforce what they have learned.

Overall, video is a great way to democratize learning at work. It is engaging, flexible, and easy to share. When used properly, it can help employees learn at their own pace and improve their understanding of complex concepts.

CircleHD offers cloud-based Enterprise learning and engagement solutions that enables businesses to create and share engaging all types of content. Wizy, is one of the products under CircleHD, that has helped businesses to connect with their audiences through video, media, documents along with an engaging and interactive learning experience.

With Wizy, you can

  • Create, edit, and share videos, medias
  • Manage, distribute, and measure the impact of your video, media content
  • Easily find and reuse medias
  • Integrate videos, medias into your existing L&D programs

If you’d like to learn more about how Wizy can help support your training and team enablement efforts, we’d love to speak with you. Get in touch here.