Zoom is now worth more than the worlds 7 biggest airlines combined – $48 vs $46 Billion.
And as is so often the case with hi-tech developments it’s quickly established itself as a verb alongside “google it” (what teenagers say to you because they don’t know the sodding answer to your question), “facetime me!” “whatsapp me!” and of course “Donald’s tweeting we need to inject ourselves with Domestos again darling”. Now the rally cry is “Zoom me”.
The Zoomies, for me, were the best part of being a Dad with a toddler. You know that period when they seem in a state of perpetual levitation (hence image above – I took that)! whilst doing an impression of a blender without a lid on. Massive energy, loads of smiles and countless fantastic photo opportunities. Very similar to what Zoomies will be known for when we reflect on the lockdown period. Is it me or do people seem different, in positive way, with the Zoom concept. If, in a standard business meeting, one of the attendees took the best part of 10 minutes to walk through the door, sit down and discover how to talk you’d be reaching for the P45 or the number of
a decent therapist. Zoom see’s all the people I’m dealing with demonstrating immense patience whilst everyone gets on and settled. Backdrops are the new “black” and chuck out that chintz cos theres a lot of judging going on (Michael Gove’s bookcase can attest for that – Mein Kampf!?!?). Also the sudden unexpected appearance of pet, child or husband putting the rubbish out really add colour and spice to the meeting.
I like however the way this new platform has brought different people into focus. Those that often keep quiet in a traditional setting have found a voice and I find myself engaging with them in a new way. It shouldn’t surprise of course. People do perform differently in different situations. Some are great on the phone but reserved face to face. Some people are OK in a 1-2-1 but crumble with a panel or audience. So in the relative safety of you own home with mute and camera options at your finger tips it stands to reason that we are seeing the new Zoomies erupt out of the shadows. And of course we can take more risks on the Zoom call and if we get it horribly wrong we have the “wi-fi” crash excuse for making a sharp embarrassed getaway.
I’m also loving the way you can study the facial expressions and body language of attendees without appearing like a psychotic stalker. In meetings we are always glancing then looking away. With Zoom we can really see whats happening behind the eyes. The other morning Ruby Wax was one of 4 screens on GMB and her facial expression of contempt when the others were discussing the importance of getting the football going again was palpable. She was on to discuss how lockdown will have a massive impact on peoples mental health not the importance of 22 millionaires kicking a ball to one another and her face said it all.
And on that note we must embrace this Zoom concept as we move out of all this and recognise this is the type of technology that connects people simply and effectively and in many ways has helped in the area so dear to Ruby’s heart. That said I do wish I’d bought Zoom shares last November.
