PHOENIX, ARIZONA, 29 March 2010 - Global property and construction consultancy firm, Rider Levett Bucknall, has deployed video conferencing systems across six of its United States offices to increase communication and collaboration, to reduce travel-related time and expenses and to reduce its carbon footprint. Implementation of the video conferencing system will cut travel-related carbon emissions by 22 tons in the first year alone.
"We place a high value on face-to-face communication among our staff members and directors. Colleagues and project teams in different offices need to communicate and collaborate often. But rising travel costs and the associated carbon emissions have made traveling to and from meetings less financially or environmentally responsible," said Julian Anderson, President of Rider Levett Bucknall Americas. "Using the video conferencing system will allow us to do business more effectively and more efficiently than in the past."
While the benefits of the Rider Levett Bucknall videoconferencing network have already been realized through limited expenditures, increased productivity, and a reduced carbon footprint, the firm plans to increase deployment to each of its 11 North American offices.
The firm plans to utilize the video conferencing system to enhance client relations and improve client satisfaction. Internally, the firm will use the network to facilitate meetings among staff members as well as to strengthen professional development and provide technical training seminars for employees. "Video conferencing is very personal. It's a way to strengthen bonds with remote colleagues and customers between personal visits and telephone calls," said Mr. Anderson.
"As a firm we aim to maximize opportunities for environmental enhancement in both our internal practices and the services we provide to clients," Julian added. "In an Age of Environmental Thrift, adding video conferencing capabilities was a natural step towards more economical communication and more responsible use of our limited environmental resources."