(BPT) - There are 33.2 million small businesses in America, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which combined account for an incredible 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. These businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy and there's no better time to recognize their importance than right now.
Small businesses are generally defined as independent businesses having between 1 and 500 employees, according to the U.S. Small Business Association. They employ almost half (46%) of America's private sector workforce and represent 43.5% of gross domestic product.
If you're a small-business owner, you know it takes passion, commitment and agility, especially as markets evolve. Finding affordable and easy-to-implement technologies to help streamline your business needs can seem like a challenge. Case in point: virtual meetings.
The need for virtual meetings
No matter what industry you're in, video meetings are a necessity today. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or manager of a fast-growing startup, being able to meet with clients, vendors, employees or investors at any given time, especially if people are in different locations, makes a big difference in positioning your business for success.
The problem for small businesses is that many virtual meeting options are poorly designed and riddled with glitches that make for a less-than-desirable experience. Still others are expensive and complex, and while they may be appropriate for large enterprises, are not a great fit for your small-business needs. Fortunately, now there's an option with features that appeal to small businesses that come at no cost.
A free virtual meeting technology
BlueJeans by Verizon is offering a new, free video conferencing plan that allows users to meet for as long as they want with no time limits. BlueJeans Basic provides users with a premium video conferencing experience alongside unlimited free meetings for groups of up to 25 people, so small businesses can thrive while eliminating time-bound meeting constraints and expensive service charges.
'We realize there is no one-size-fits-all approach to business, just like one size doesn't really fit all when it comes to the clothes we wear. To better fit the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses that may not require the complexity of enterprise-level services, we're excited to expand on our BlueJeans Meetings platform with a solution that emphasizes the most important basics - better audio quality and HD video reliability - to help them grow their business,' said Chris Lewter, VP and General Manager, BlueJeans.
Key features for small businesses
BlueJeans Basic is always free and comes with a plethora of features that help create a superior virtual meeting experience. Here are some notable features that small businesses appreciate:
Cross-Platform Support: For today's hybrid world, small businesses need a flexible video platform that adapts to their day to day, whatever that ends up looking like. Whether joining from the desktop, a browser tab or while on the go, the experience will always provide rich functionality across any mode or device.
Crystal-Clear Sound: World-class Dolby Voice® audio built into the platform provides enhanced sound quality. High-definition video, spatial audio and industry-leading noise reduction all work together to provide impeccable call quality so small businesses don't miss a beat and make the most of their valuable time.
Robust Collaboration Features: BlueJeans Basic provides small businesses with a powerful toolkit that brings virtual and physical teams closer together than ever before. HD screen sharing, interactive digital annotation, dynamic polling and participant reactions are just some of the features that hosts can access to boost participation and drive productivity.
Secure and Encrypted Meetings: Feel confident with AES 256-bit encryption for security as well as rock-solid security features like Waiting Room, Screen Sharing Controls and the option to Hard Mute participants individually or upon entering the meeting.
No matter what industry your small business is in, technology can help you connect and succeed. To sign up for your free BlueJeans Basic account, please visit https://www.bluejeans.com/free-video-conferencing.