Technology has made doing business easier and more convenient for many people. One of the boons of technology is virtual meetings that allow people to meet online via a telephone or video conference. If you have adopted virtual meetings but are confused about which is better, virtual meetings or face-to-face, then read on. Here we have listed the pros and cons of each.
Pros of Virtual Meetings vs. Face-to-Face
Meetings
Ø Cost Savings
Virtual meetings usually cost less as you and
your team don’t need to travel or commute from one place to another or spend on
accommodation or catering.
Ø Full Participation
Attending a virtual meeting requires a computer
device and internet; anyone can attend them anywhere.
Ø Lessens the Carbon Footprint
Virtual meetings mean no need to travel and
spend fuel. Hence, it helps your company to lessen its carbon footprint.
Ø Shorter Sessions
The sessions of virtual meetings are usually
shorter than in-person or face-to-face meetings.
Ø More Frequency
You can organize virtual meetings daily. That’s
not always possible with face-to-face meetings.
Ø Recording is Easier
Recording virtual meetings is easier as you can
do it with a single click.
Ø Better Scheduling
With virtual meetings, you need to decide the
time and send an email invite.
Ø Great for Health
You and your team will avoid the stress
associated with long commutes and travel.
Ø Real-Time Collaboration
During a virtual meeting, all attendees can
collaborate in real-time, share documents, show their screen, give presentations,
and even make changes instantly.
Cons of Virtual Meetings vs. Face-to-Face
Meetings
Ø Interactions Can be Difficult
Interactions can overlap as several attendees in virtual meetings, and communication can sometimes be difficult.
Ø Limited to Visual and Audio
Watching something on-screen is different than
touching or feeling it. So, product-based companies might not favor virtual
meetings.
Ø Too Many Distractions
People in virtual meetings often get distracted
easily, impacting the entire group.
Ø Internet Issues
The internet problems can make the meetings
more difficult.
Ø Different Time Zones
Holding virtual meetings outside business hours
is necessary if team members are in different time zones. Most people don’t
prefer that.
Ø No Personal Touch
Many of the team members might not know each
other.
Ø Paying for Software
If you don’t want to use free virtual meeting
software due to quality concerns, you might need one you must pay for. Some of
the top ones are mentioned here.
Choose a Combination
It is quite clear that face-to-face and virtual meetings can be difficult at times. So, as a boss, you
should focus on a combination of both. Organize face-to-face meetings if you
think your team needs to feel more connected, and everyone is missing the
personal touch. However, when face-to-face meetings are not possible like when
the team members are in different countries or states, you should reap the benefits
of virtual meetings. There is no straight answer for everyone. Do what suits
you best!
Sources:
https://www.teem.com/blog/virtual-meetings-vs-face-to-face
https://myva360.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-virtual-meetings
https://eztalks.com/video-conference/virtual-meetings-vs-face-to-face-meeting-which-one-to-choose.html