Many of today’s meetings are via web conference, rather than face-to-face. It just makes sense, in addition to saving time and travel costs.

But what about using this new media to throw a party? Canyon turned ten in April and we invited clients to celebrate with us using WebEx online meeting service (by the way, we like the functionality of Cisco’s WebEx, but GoToMeeting provides similar capabilities). Here’s how we managed to add some fun:

1) Canyon clients received an e-vite asking them attend the online party.

2) A day before the celebration, attendees received a “party in a box,” which included a party hat, cake, candles, confetti and rock music CD. Also enclosed was a gift – a unique commemorative Canyon Rock Star-branded thermo cup.

3) A card provided the date, time and instructions join us for the web bash.

4) At the appointed hour, clients clicked in via voice and video. Our emcee moderated the party agenda which included group games such as a Canyon trivia game (What is the name of Canyon’s mascot fish?) and identifying photos of Canyonites at age 10 (not so easy).

When you can’t shake a hand (or hug as so many of us do when we meet our clients face-to-face), it’s really important to make web meetings personal, fun and still effective.

As online meetings replace teleconferences because of enhanced capabilities to show graphics, use PowerPoint presentations and stream video to see meeting participants and be seen in real time, we need to step it up and get personal.

Is your company using web conferencing more often in the current economy? What do you do to personalize and add interest to your online meetings?

Canyon clients are asking us to help them find ways to “green up” their companies and we’ve learned a bit about it from our use of sustainable building practices to create Canyon’s new office in Mesa, Arizona last year. Since then, we’ve gathered good ideas from businesses that are boosting their green-ness. Here are some ways you can get the green thing going.

Sustainability starts at the top. Get the chiefs involved, and then lay out your long-range plan. Big picture—start by putting your three Ps in balance: people, planet and profit.

People – Business viability begins with healthy communities, empowered employees and committed customers. Companies should focus first on investing in human capital, and then follow by providing products and services that contribute to quality of life for all.

Planet –Lessening impact on the planet means making business decisions that decrease waste and reduce use of energy and nonrenewable resources. This can happen through small initiatives (like recycling paper waste) and large ones (such as building facilities that operate with minimum energy needs).

Profit – This “P” totally intertwines with the previous two. Businesses need to generate profit to be economically sustainable, but it’s also proven that efforts to help people and the planet can produce a bottom-line advantage. It’s a balancing act.

A business that has the vision to employ all three elements of sustainability can ultimately enjoy financial success and, at the same time, help maintain a healthy planet for future generations. Ready to get going?