Global Executive Search company Odgers Berndtson finds top-tier talent for the world’s most influential people. Neat’s pioneering video devices ensure their video collaboration is fail-safe, straightforward and beautiful. 

Executive search advisory firm Odgers Berndtson specializes in finding the very best candidates for its impressive clientele, from Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to prestigious educational institutions and not-for-profits. The company has a London HQ and a broad international presence, with offices in 30+ locations across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Service Delivery Manager Jack Pearce shared with us how Neat video solutions first caught their eye at a Zoom roadshow, and why it made sense to roll out Neat devices to support their hybrid workforce. 

First impressions of Neat 

Before partnering with Neat, Odgers Berndtson used products from other popular video conferencing brands connected to outdated computers to facilitate their video meetings. In their own words: 

Our old set-up required endless maintenance and provided a disjointed user-experience. Not only was call quality lacking, you simply couldn’t feel confident that meetings would run smoothly.

Jack Pearce, Service Delivery Manager at Odgers Berndtson.

A Zoom roadshow gave Jack the opportunity to explore new options, and he browsed a range of solutions in-market before checking out what Neat had to offer. On discovering Neat, he was charmed by how modern and streamlined the devices looked, thanks to Norwegian design and wireless or one-cable operations.  It takes just seven seconds to make a first impression according to research by Harvard University. Neat looked like just the ticket to ensure Odgers Berndtson’s first impression would be great. 

The simplicity of Neat devices and their seamless integration with the Zoom ecosystem was also a pull. Everything is designed to work at the touch of a button, so anyone can get up and running purely by following their intuition and the step-by-step directions on-screen. Jack decided to adopt a mix of Neat Bar, Neat Bar Pro, Neat Frame, Neat Board, Neat Pad and Neat Center for the company’s formal board rooms and smaller work pods. 

The difference between Neat and our old devices is night and day, to the extent that we’ve decided to roll out Neat to the rest of our UK offices and to our office in Dubai. Instead of trouble-shooting countless tickets relating to video conferencing, the IT team have been freed up to focus on projects that drive the business forward – we’re not just stuck firefighting anymore. 

Jack Pearce

Non-verbal communication counts 

Another reason Odgers Berndtson chose Neat is the high-end audio-visual experience that Neat devices deliver, combined with smart AI features that make video meetings more life-like and engaging. Studies show that 93% of communication is non-verbal, with body language accounting for 55% of the overall message the presenter conveys. Features like Neat Symmetry then, are really very important, auto-framing everyone equally so that their facial expressions and hand gestures are always front and center – even if they’re far from the camera or walking around the room.  

38% of communication is conveyed through tone of voice, the changes in volume, pace and intonation a speaker makes. Neat stands out from other video solutions because Neat designs devices with audio that’s as close as possible to natural in-person speech.

Listening closely is vital in a business like Executive Search, that at its core is all about relationships. Neat devices ensure Odgers Berndtson catch every subtle nuance. 

93% of communication is non-verbal, with body language accounting for 55% and tone of voice 38%.

Dr. A. Mehrabian, renowned psychologist and professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Safeguarding confidential information 

If there’s one thing that’s crucial when working with high-status people, it’s discretion and safeguarding private data. In the digital age, this means going above and beyond to secure online communication. Neat video devices come with Neat Boundary, a patented innovation that’s heavily used by Odgers Berndtson across all meeting spaces with glass walls. Neat Boundary allows you to set the audio and visual parameters of a meeting, so no one outside of the meeting space inadvertently becomes part of the action – such as the faces of passers-by or snippets of their conversation. 

Saving IT time and money 

Finally, Odgers Berndtson praised Neat Pulse, a full-service offering that gives you a choice of applications to run on your Neat devices, control over device deployment, premium support care and extended warranty coverage. It’s saving Odgers Berndtson’s IT team time through the bulk actions it can carry out on multiple devices at once. For example, you can perform remote updates, restarts, and get device logs across all devices globally – without ever having to leave your desk. 

Simply put, Neat Pulse and Neat Pulse Pro are saving the company time and money.

Jack Pearce

Exceeding high-profile clients’ expectations 

Odgers Berndtson’s partnership with Neat has enabled seamless, high-quality interactions that not only meet – but exceed – the expectations of their high-profile clients. In fact, a number of those clients have given glowing reviews when they’ve had the pleasure of meeting Odgers Berndtson’s via their new Neat devices. This partnership highlights how future-facing tools are essential for maintaining excellence and winning in the competitive field of executive client service. 

Want to know more about how Neat can support your hybrid workforce? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with one of our product specialists today at hello@neat.no or take the plunge and book a demo.