Video meetings are edging upwards

Video meetings are edging upwards

MAY 17, 2017

How are IROs using online meetings to make the most of their corporate access events?

For IROs with dwindling budgets, shrinking team sizes and less time on their hands, online meetings seem to offer the cost and time-effective solution of meeting global investors from the comfort of a computer chair. In reality, the practice has not quite gone mainstream; finance departments might deem the technology too expensive, investors may not be comfortable communicating online, or an IRO’s audience may just be used to the usual points of contact. IROs surveyed as part of the IR Magazine Global Roadshow Report 2016, which was released last November, believe the increased use of technology, including video conferencing and other web-based meetings, will have a noticeable impact on their roadshow activity. Only 24 percent of the 730 professionals surveyed say the use of technology for meetings will not be important at all, while 46 percent describe technology as at least moderately important. Screen pioneers Companies that have used video technology effectively say they are expanding the impact of their in-person events. In general, these trailblazing teams are those with a relatively new shareholder base, whether due to a recent IPO or newly created industry, or an audience that is already tech-savvy.

Another problem for investors can be the technology actually working on the day, whether due to bugs in the system or a patchy internet connection. Mora reminds IROs to trial and test any online platform – particularly bandwidth-intensive videoconferencing programs – prior to the event to ensure voice and audio quality are working as expected. Video is slowly, but surely, increasing its presence in IR activity. That’s run of the mill for an industry where technology is adopted cautiously. The main trick for success, according to those already making the most of video, is to ensure all the investors involved in the meeting have a complete and comparable experience, whether they are sat in the room or joining virtually from the other side of the world.