Rolling News Telly Zoomscape From Lewis Schaffer

Inside an anonymous office block in Paddington. From London to the world, prep for the best next-day's papers review show out there. Headliners on GB News features a cast of comics from around the horseshoe. Including the above stalwart. Contrarian, surrealist, non-story spotter, Lewis Schaffer.

I've blogged on his individual style's Sales crossovers before, once or twice.

He always posts when his turn comes up. Occasionally, like this day (last night as I tap), with a pic too, like this selfie.

It's not often nowadays I'd post a single video backdrop. This isn't even one. Yet it could so easily be.

You're in a sparsely populated office. Sat at your open plan berth. Nowhere near a window. Walkway behind. Further back, a swanky meeting room glass-walled off.

The greyness of it all is almost quite comforting. The blanding trend of converging homogeneous ubiquity in the flesh.

There's even plant game in that screen-left corner.

Yet despite its lack of conscious curation, what is wrong with a video sales call in such setting?

Perhaps the main obstacle is that anyone on the other side of the screen tends now to realise even if 'headphones on', the other party's words can still be heard. Rendering the conversation not private.

Beyond that if it isn't a barrier, it's perfectly serviceable.

A reminder no matter how much you may prefer a purposeful space, you can when need be go back in time.

Even if walk-on extras appear moving behind, or sitting in the room back there, they could add, rather than distract, to the vibe.

The main thing though, is to remember why you're doing the call over live video.

There must be a fundamental selling reason.

Maybe it's one-on-one, and you need to see the 'whites of the eyes'. Gauge reaction to an important view, from instant involuntary micro-expression, to detailed consideration exposition.

Maybe you're best advised visually showing something. From a chart, through building a diagram through progressive disclosure, to a collaborative output creatively making joint progress. Where you need the right tools, whether with tech or old school pen and paper.

Maybe someone joins you. Doubling up for a few precious moments, physically sitting alongside you. Where their presence and input is of enormous use to your prospect. Who feels the respect and vows to duly return it.

There's plenty of options. But the main point is that as a once-in-a-while, don't be afraid to go similarly grey. With purpose.