The Importance of Face-to-Face Meetings

Over the past few years, we’ve all had to adapt to the integration of remote working. With our main form of communication being emails and online meetings during the pandemic, it has resulted in us now still being very comfortable with working online. Have we become over-reliant working from home? This blog outlines just how important meeting face-to-face, in person can be and will encourage you to get back to it! Here are ten reasons to help remind you of the importance of face-to-face meetings:

1. Clearer communication

Often, it is harder for employees to interpret each other’s body language when communicating through a screen. When working from home, many employees are inclined to have their camera off completely, which makes it difficult to interpret information that may not be communicated verbally. Something as simple as eye contact or body language is enough to indicate who the speakers message is directed towards or if they are coming to an end of what they are saying. Simple factors like these can get lost online and result in communication being less effective and purposeful.

2. Collaboration is encouraged in face-to-face meetings

When employees are all sat in the same room together – participation is encouraged. It is easier to contribute ideas to a conversation without the concern it may be misinterpreted. In an online meeting however, it is easier for people to take a backseat and let others take the lead. Small actions like not contributing to a meeting, can have further implications and lead to additional miscommunication amongst the team.

3. Efficiency is increased

When meeting together in person, there tends to be a greater sense of urgency to push the meeting forward, this provides a sense of direction to the meeting. Time tends to be viewed as more valuable in person and so meetings tend to be shorter and more efficient which can avoid any time wasting. Making the most out of the time you do have in person can maximise efficiency and increase business capabilities.

4. There are less technological issues

I’m sure every remote worker has been there before… they’re in the middle of an important meeting and the dreaded poor connection sign pops up on the screen and won’t recover. Technology can often be unreliable and frustrating at times, especially when trying to do something important. Holding face-to-face meetings can help to avoid the stress and additional complications technology may provide.

5. Opportunity to brainstorm together

Meeting online with colleagues makes brainstorming together difficult as you cannot share all ideas on one physical page. Brainstorming is a highly effective way to get information down and perhaps a task we took for granted before, it allows employees to effectively build on one and another’s ideas. Due to requiring everyone’s equal input, it is much easier to complete in person.

6. Face-to-face meetings prevent information getting lost in translation

It is much easier for employees to raise any concerns or query something in person as discussion amongst the team is encouraged. Information is less likely to be misinterpreted and employees feel more comfortable to express any issues. Your business can move forward with decisions and all employees will be in the loop, making them feel valued and appreciated.

7. Employee relationships are strengthened

When all employees come together in the same room, there is obviously going to be more of an opportunity to engage in small talk – but this shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing. Engaging in small talk can not only help staff to build relationships with each other, but it can result in finding out valuable, insightful information. Getting to know each other further could be beneficial for team building purposes, but it could also work as an advantage if it is an external meeting. When employees then meet with a new client they may be able to then pitch to them with relevant information that the small talk has provided.

8. Face-to-face meetings limit distractions

It is easier to gain someone’s full attention when working the same room with each other as you are face to face. Engagement can be increased and encouraging others to participate is a much simpler process. However, working online, can sometimes encourage distraction due to employees being at home and not in a work environment, which can decrease focus.

9. Builds loyalty amongst employees

Bringing all employees together to meet and collaborate with one another can help to make them feel appreciated and an important member of the team. This can help to improve employee welfare and retention as a result.

10. Increased opportunity with face-to-face meetings

As a result of some of the benefits detailed above, where employees participation is encouraged – it is likely there will be chance for new conversations to arise. When new conversations arise, there is opportunity for new ideas to be explored and further opportunities to arise as a result. Conversations that just simply wouldn’t have occurred online, are now the ones that will help move your business forwards.

Ipswich based Corbel will work with you proactively as an?IT support?partner to help you maximise your business capabilities – with a range of services including?Cyber Security,?IT Consulting Services?and?Office 365 Support?available, we can help your business with all its IT needs.