I have just published an updated 34-page Skype Jump-Start Guide for Business that is available as a free download. You get the guide and a 3 page cheat-sheet to keep handy while you dust off your Skype skills. I hope you discover, or as in my case re-discover the ease of use and benefits of this grandfather of the tools world. It is worth exploring how it might prove beneficial to you and your colleagues.
Skype has been around since 2003. In tech years that seems like 50 years ago. Because of its longevity, it is easy to forget about the power and value that it can deliver. It has been through an ownership change and many tweaks and improvements over the years. It provides even more value now than it did in 2003. It is time to try to remember your login ID and password and see what has been going on at Skype.
I had a need to conduct a series of international coaching calls to Europe several weeks ago, and the client requested I use Skype. I dusted off my own Skype account amd was able to log in after sending a ‘lost password’ notice. It has been that long. Lots has changed since my last login. Skype is sporting a much cleaner interface, and the features that I previously used frequently have been significantly upgraded. My video connections with the clients were crystal clear, and without lag.
The availability of 3rd party tools for both PC and Mac to record the sessions produced excellent in both audio and video quality. The screen sharing worked flawlessly each time.
One of the most surprising revelations to me was the quality of the video and audio from one of the participants from an Android smartphone. I never would have known if not for the fact that at one point I noticed that she was walking while we were talking.
Utilized both personally and professionally, Skype provides an ideal solution to those looking to keep in touch easily and in the instance of Skype-to-Skype, for free. Skype registered an impressive 214 billion minutes of such calls in 2013 so clearly there are still lots of people taking advantage of its power.
Some of the most popular uses of Skype now include:
- Video Calls
- Call and Video Recordings
- Instant Messaging
- File Sharing
- Video Calling
- Screen Sharing
- Conference Calling
- Long Distance Calling
The software itself is completely free and incredibly easy to download and use, despite its variety of excellent capabilities and functions.
Some features include:
- Calling Cellphones/Landlines
- Call Forwarding
- Voicemail
- Hotkeys
- Caller ID
- Facebook Contact Integration
I left my experience last month with a renewed interest in Skype as a personal and business productivity tool. The following video covers some of Advanced Power Tips for Skype. I hope you find it useful.