The world has been in some form of lockdown for over a year, with huge impacts on how businesses connect. Virtual meetings and digital networking have been paramount to maintaining business connections while we cannot meet in person. This is beneficial when restrictions are in place, but will any aspects of digital meetings remain once we can meet face-to-face again? Or will the flexibility of online communications continue to be an effective business tool?
Business meetings in a pandemic…
Many of us long for in-person meetings again; those who primarily visit clients are missing social interaction and interpersonal connections. While they have been useful during the pandemic, virtual meetings just don’t lend themselves to the same creativity and spontaneity you would experience in a meeting room. It’s difficult to bounce ideas back and forth when you’re speaking over each other, distracted by background noise and experiencing technical issues! Businesses are potentially missing out on great ideas as their brainstorming opportunities are often interrupted.
Virtual does have its benefits with lower costs and reduced carbon footprint. Without travel time, calendars are less packed meaning you can access wider audiences. Even before the pandemic there was a shift to digital as people realised it’s quicker and cheaper. With technology advancing we can connect in more ways than ever, and the past year has shown how versatile digital platforms can be. More companies are investing in technology such as phones doubling up as tablets, and computers with built-in cameras for easy video meetings.
The power of face-to-face business meetings is important, and this is probably not going to change much. Direct interaction and making decisions in-person is vital for reinforcing information and ensuring messages get across. The vaccination campaign in the UK seems to be going successfully; hopefully we can get back in meeting rooms soon! However this may need a shake-up to really engage and make up for lost time. You can achieve this by changing meeting room layouts and investing in modern furniture. We particularly like the “Campfire” concept from Nimlok; creating a modular, portable solution that adapts to your needs while promoting face-to-face office time.
What about networking?
Networking sessions such as coffee mornings or seminars could benefit from larger audiences with a switch to digital. Engaging with more people at no cost is attractive for businesspeople looking to connect with like-minded individuals and build on these relationships. With social distancing looking to remain in place for some time, these sessions just won’t be possible in person until we are on the other side of this pandemic. Plus people may be wary of meeting in larger groups, so it’s safe to say digital networking will remain popular. As these events are more social, it’s less important to have face-to-face interaction than with official meetings.
Something to remember me by
With all business interactions, people need to have something to remember your company by. This is often achieved with promotional products, but companies have struggled to get in front of people when we can’t physically hand them out. Fulfilment of promotional items has seen huge increases in the last year, with companies sending their chosen products directly to home addresses. This provided a much-needed personal touch to marketing campaigns throughout the pandemic. It also made it easier for businesses to connect with their audience. We can offer fulfilment of promotional products and branded clothing; please get in touch. Call 01604 671671 or email sales@giltedged.co.uk
