Yes, I do really need to fly.
Kimberly Lancaster
Founder and President @CasterCommunications Award winning global tech agency for PR | Media Relations | Social Media | Digital | Content | Strategy | Crisis Comm | Renowned Speaker | M&A | IR | Funding and more. Connect!
NY Times columnist Farhad Manjoo went hard in an op-ed that “videoconferencing is good enough to replace a lot of pointless business travel,” focusing largely on the idea that sales can happen via zoom, money is wasted, and the big one, it will likely be decades before the aviation industry becomes carbon neutral and thus a “perfectly reasonable alternative to meeting up in person. Log in, and fly less.”
No way.
Do I think he is ridiculous for flying from San Francisco to London to participate in an hour-long discussion about a book? Yes, yes I do. Thanks for contributing to the destruction of our environment and now placing the ownership of your guilty travel on the rest of us. But for those of us grounded in the real world, and not road warriors, but people who would travel once per month to a big meeting, trade shows, events, or even business trip bookended by a weekend anywhere the kids weren’t - travel is one of the most amazing parts of our work.
It makes us good at what we do, it connects us with clients and coworkers; it takes conversations off work topics to the pleasures of a relaxed atmosphere and great wine. It allows us not to just talk to people but get to know people, get to know their friends and family, people I work with who are located around the world have become friends because of the time off zoom I’ve spent with them. Business travel, like fun travel, introduces us to cultures and entirely new ways of thinking. It also builds entire economies.
Do I think around the world travel for an hour meeting should be replaced by Zoom, yes I do. Do I think video conferencing should replace travel I never even once thought was pointless, no I don’t. On this one Farhad, you’re projecting.
IoT Leader & Influencer | Standards & Alliances | Board Member | Smart Home | Smart Cities | Speaker
3 年Great response, Kim! Fact is, people buy from people and relationships matter. A 1 hour video conference may be good to relay a message, deliver a training, make an introduction; but in no way does one build or maintain a strong or long lasting relationship. Once travel is an accepted norm it will be expected
Vice President, Sales + Operations at Nationwide Audio Visual
3 年Flying, driving or walking are just ways and means to meet. However we arrive, we definitely and absolutely need to meet. Live. In person. At the office, the coffee shop, or the conference centre. Its a need, not a want. Videoconferencing is a wonderful replacement for telephone calls..and too many emails. But it will never replace meeting in person, even if that dictates flying half way around the world.
Transforming music & sports venues with state-of-the-art audio-visual systems that electrify guest experiences. Keeping your customers entertained, engaged, and coming back for more - driving revenue through the roof.
4 年Great piece Kim - can't wait to get back out there - wherever there is, even just domestic travel/events to begin with
CE Industry Marketing and Sales Consultant
4 年Well said Kimberly Lancaster. Our industry has used video conferencing/webinars/conference calls for years to get those quick meetings done. However, I know for myself, a stronger connection is made in person. Being able to share a meal, have a drink, or sitting around a conference table after the work is done is where the true relationship building starts or is strengthened. Tradeshows are more than just showcasing our technology. It's about networking, meeting people in person, seeing old friends and making those deals that just won't happen over a video call. Video calls are great and I'm glad we are utilizing that technology more, but they will never replace actually human interaction. I'm ready to fly again. I think most of us are. Who is ready to grab a post pandemic drink??