Virtual reality is not only changing the way that we interact with digital content, but also the way we interact with each other. Incorporating this technology into workplace operations promises to bring about faster learning, easier collaboration, and novel ways of expressing ideas. Let’s dive into the many ways that VR is shaping the future workplace.
Recruiting with Virtual Reality
As prospective employees research the company trying to recruit them, they likely see pictures of the workplace and read reviews about it online. It’s difficult to grasp what working there would actually be like, sometimes even after an interview. With a VR tour of the office, however, a company can deliver an immersive branded experience to potential employees at a place and time that is most convenient to them.
In a Virtual Reality recruitment experience, the user might get to explore the workplace, hear testimonials from current employees, or witness some of the tasks they’d accomplish on a daily basis. Interactivity could be added to the experience to give the candidate a real sense of what’s required of them throughout each task.
While a prospective employee experiences a company first-hand in Virtual Reality, that company does more than just build trust and stand out; they also save time and money. In the case of remote workers and candidates who would need to be flown in for a tour, a VR tour is a fitting and economical solution.
Onboarding and Training within the VR Platform
When a new employee joins the team, there’s usually a lot of knowledge that needs to be relayed to them during the onboarding process. Time and resources are spent to convey a breadth of information that might not be entirely retained. A solution to this problem is offering new employees “manuals” in Virtual Reality. This way, everything they need to know is presented in a cohesive, engaging package. Additionally, they can revisit this content days, weeks, and months after they start in case they need to refresh their memory. When using a platform to create and publish such onboarding Virtual Reality manuals, those can easily and constantly be modified and extended.
Virtual Reality is a powerful tool for training employees as well, which is reflected in the number of successful companies that are using it as such. It’s no wonder why: a recent study performed by Johnson & Johnson on VR surgery training showed that 83% of surgeons trained in VR were ready to complete the procedure in a lab setting with minimal guidance. And those who trained with traditional methods? None were prepared to perform the procedure; 0%. By gamifying the training process, VR training experiences are more memorable and more enjoyable. Moreover, these hands-on experiences are easy to distribute across even the largest of companies. To learn more about VR training and the companies that are already using it in creative and effective ways, check out this article.
Virtual Meetings and Presentations
Since 2016, Microsoft Research has been developing a 3D capture system that allows users to virtually stand in the same room as the person they are video calling with. The system, dubbed “Holoportation” after their Hololens AR headset, captures and renders both users in real-time, allowing their models to be displayed in both AR and VR environments. It sounds like science fiction, but it won’t be long until this technology is integrated into business meetings to give users the impression of being truly face-to-face. It’s likely that, in the future, teams of remote workers will meet and collaborate in a completely digital workplace. In the case of meeting in a Virtual Reality environment, the surroundings could be changed to reflect the ideas being presented in the meeting.
While VR meetings may not be prevalent for a few more years, Virtual Reality is already changing the way that ideas and data can be presented in workplace presentations. By literally adding a new dimension to presentations, as well as interactivity, VR increases engagement and gives tactility to concepts that are more abstract and difficult to express. Additionally, it makes the presentation more personal by making the viewer feel that they are a part of it. Best of all, creating a VR presentation can be just as easy as creating a Powerpoint given the user-friendly, drag-and-drop function that exists today. Check this site to learn more about Virtual Reality presentations.
Explore what Virtual Reality can do for your Business
Many exciting developments are on the horizon for Virtual Reality, yet there are already so many ways to incorporate this technology into the workplace right now. If you’re interested in learning more and are looking for some guidance on how to integrate VR into your business operations, take a look at our VR solutions for trainings and don’t hesitate to reach out.
