To Web Conference or to Business Trip? That is the Question.
Little did The Clash realize the implications for business meetings when in 1982 they posed that pivotal question: Should I Stay Or Should I Go-oh?
Being at a company that does online meetings, it’s funny how some people approach me at all my fancy parties and say something like… “well you JUST can’t replace a personal relationship and that’s why virtual meetings
just don’t work.”
Oh. Hey there, slippery slope. You’re lookin’ slick today!
Hold up. We’re the first to admit that sometimes a plane flight and a one-on-one meeting is just what the doctor ordered. However, we also recognize that there are quite a few people who are hopping on planes without really evaluating if it’s necessary for each particular meeting considering the cost and the consequences for the environment. I know…if it’s what you’ve “always done” it’s going to be a stretch to believe all this new(ish) technology can really cut the mustard.
So, before you cash in all your Starwood points or write off web conferencing completely, here’s a quick little guide to help decide when to stay and when to go-oh.
| Meeting | Web Conference | Business Trip | Comments |
| Introductory sales meeting |
√ |
Whet their appetite first with a snazzy demo! | |
| Reviewing medical images |
√ |
Hey. A picture of a CAT scan is a picture of a CAT scan, no matter where you are. | |
| Reviewing hi res images |
√ |
Until it’s time for a press check, online is just fine! | |
| Reviewing hi res video |
√ |
√ |
Sometimes you just gotta BE THERE to feel the energy. But in most cases, especially for smaller projects or early on in the editing process, an online meeting will do. |
| Software training |
√ |
Actually, web conferencing is almost always BETTER since everyone gets a stellar view of the screen with desktop sharing. | |
| Contract review |
√ |
These meetings can be pretty brutal. They’ll be less brutal if everyone gets to go home after. | |
| Contract negotiation |
√ |
√ |
Sliding scale. More emotions = more flying. |
| Big majillion dollar sales pitch |
√ |
Time to cash in on your winning smile. | |
| First meeting in a long-term business relationship |
√ |
Ugh. Traveling can be annoying, but it’s worth it. | |
| Delivering bad news |
√ |
See Up In The Air for proof |
See, we get it. And way back in the research phase, we learned that even when budgets were tiny, one HUGE reason people still decide to travel is because sometimes seeing it on screen is just not clear, just not sharp and just not good enough.
Well, like a good neighbor, state fa I mean, Fuze Meeting alleviates some of that stress by offering digital collaboration in high resolution – you know, just to show off how hard you really did work on it.
What other kinds of meetings do you meet online for? What kinds of meetings do you always have in person?
I could not have put it better myself. The one good thing to come out of this recession is that people are cutting down on superfluous business travel. But even when it is necessary, it does not have to break the bank and that does not mean having to stay in a tent. Just little things like avoiding business class, not renting a car when you could walk or staying in serviced apartments rather than a hotel. Those three alone can save you a lot of money.