In today’s corporate travel environment, the question of having online or face-to-face meetings continues to be relevant. As a result the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes have certainly shifted over what can be expected when it comes to organizing business meetings.
So, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each meeting option and find the one that suits your business needs best!
What is an in-person meeting?
A face-to-face meeting is a type of meeting that involves participants being physically present at the same location to conduct a meeting. It is also commonly referred to as an in-person meeting.
In fact, corporate travellers from all around the world say that in-person meetings help to establish trust, understanding and collaboration among team members.
As a result, face-to-face meetings can be a valuable component of corporate travel management, allowing participants to build relationships and network in person.
Pros of in-person meetings
In-person meetings offer a number of benefits that cannot be replicated through remote or virtual methods. Let’s take a look at the most beneficial pros of in-person meetings:
Increased Engagement
With in-person meetings, participants are more likely to be fully engaged and focused on the discussion, leading to a more productive outcome.
Neworking Opportunities
Another benefit of in-person meetings is that they can provide opportunities for networking and relationship building, which can be valuable for businesses.
Personal Connection
In-person meetings provide an opportunity for face-to-face interaction, which can lead to better collaboration and understanding among team members and participants.
Cons of in-person meetings
In-person meetings have long been a staple of corporate travel and business travel management. However, as with any type of meeting, there are also potential drawbacks to consider:
Cost of expenses
In-person meetings require travel, which can result in expensive financial outlay for companies. Therefore, consider learning how to control your business travel expenses in 2023.
Time-Consuming
Traveling to in-person meetings can be time-consuming, taking participants away from other responsibilities and tasks.
Health Concerns
In-person meetings can raise concerns about the health and safety of traveling employees. Obviously, leaving the safety of your home office will greater expose you to risk, particularly when considering the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to minimize your chances of getting into an unexpected situation we recommend you read about business travel safety and security tips in 2023.
What is the online meeting?
An online meeting is also known as a virtual meeting. In other words, it is a gathering of people who are located in different physical locations but are connected through the internet.
Participants in an online meeting can communicate with one another in real-time using video conferencing software, such as:
This type of meeting allows for remote collaboration, which can be especially useful for remote workers or teams that are spread across different locations.
Online meetings typically involve sharing screens, video, and audio, and allow participants to interact with one another using features such as chat, polls and virtual whiteboards.
Pros of Online meetings
Savings
As online meetings eliminate the need for physical participation and travel. It may be a great option to save your company money for business travel expenses. Find out 10 essential tips to save money on your corporate travel budget.
Productivity
With the right technology in place, online meetings can be more productive than in-person meetings, as they eliminate distractions and allow for more focused discussions.
Cons of Online meetings
Technical Difficulties
Sometimes technical issues such as poor internet connection or software problems can disrupt the flow of online meetings and cause frustration for participants.
Lack of Personal Connection
Quite often, online meetings can lack the personal connection and collaboration that comes with in-person meetings. As a result, it may lead to a drop in the motivation and engagement of participants.
Conclusion
The choice between online meetings and in-person meetings depends on the specific needs of your company and the goals of each individual meeting.
Both options have their pros and cons, and the right choice will vary based on the situation. When it comes to corporate travel management, it is important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each option and choose the one that is best for your business.
