How Important is Face to Face Communication in Business?

It’s no surprise that we are now living in a digital age of commination. Covid-19 means we are having more virtual meetings and therefore are more comfortable doing business without ever meeting clients. But what about building business relationships and communication, are face to face meetings still important?

Work Relationships

Do you know your colleagues? Chances are if you started a new role recently then you have never had a face to face talk with any of them. Do you feel like you are forming a work relationship with them? We’re not saying your best friend has to be someone you are working with but if you do work with your best friend you know it’s a different experience.

Company Culture

Every time you change job you’ll notice a change in company culture. Each business has their own way of doing things. From business processes to how you spend lunch time. Its difficult to form a bond and find out about the companies culture if you never set foot in the building.

Sales and Deals

Sometimes you just need to look a client in the eye before you put pen to paper or discuss future projects over dinner. Are the days of entertaining the client and corporate dinners over? Some business will definitely feel the impact of this. Think about how many opportunities you would have missed if you didn’t run into someone at a conference or event.

Hopefully the good old days will return in a year or so but only the good bits like staff Christmas parties, fancy conferences in the sun where the company pays the hotel bill and teambuilding events that lead to the best nights out of the year. The constant face to face weekly catchups and pointless meetings can remain relegated to a Zoom call that we’re definitely all paying attention to.