Client Meetings in 2024, The Advantages of Face to Face Communication
Why Do we Meet Face to Face, less in 2024?
In a post covid world, many of the habits and methods we developed to navigate lockdowns, have stayed with us for the long haul. More and more people are working from home, using hot desking rather than static office spaces and communicating more via the internet than ever before. Convenience is king in 2024, and so people are able to work, socialise and learn from the comfort of their own homes without the hassle of travel, for better or for worse.
The Benefits of Video Call Meetings
Video calls allow two or more people from anywhere on the planet to have a real time meeting without having to travel. This can make a huge difference when dealing with overseas colleagues and clients who in the past, may only have been able to communicate via phone or email, but now can react and contribute in real time along with the rest of the meeting. It also allows flexibility, for instance if someone can’t make a meeting due to illness or transport issues, they’re able to contribute just the same without having to miss out.
What You Miss out on in Video Calls
While video calls have their perks, and can save a lot of time and hassle, they lack the personal approach that meeting in person has. The small micro elements of body language that help guide a conversation can be lost when on a small screen, and can mean a lot of context is missed, which can lead to disappointment or mistakes. It can also lead people to misread certain things left unsaid, which in person may be picked up with ease, but over video may go under the radar and cause issues further down the line.
The Advantages of in Person Meetings
Build Relationships with Clients
One of the many advantages of meetings, especially in person is being able to truly connect with the people around you. Being able to look someone in the eye whilst either agreeing with them or disagreeing with them can help build relationships and learn the ins and outs of the people around you.
Keep People’s Attention by Reducing Distractions
Having people all in one room means they’re likely more focused on the task in front of them rather than potentially being distracted by other tech, or other work. When everyone’s together in the same place such as a temporary office space, everyone can get their heads down and focus completely on what’s important. This can be helpful for managers, especially when the meeting is a large group of people (for instance 10+).
Produces a More Collaborative Atmosphere
Another of the major advantages of face-to-face communication, especially in a creative sense is that ideas can be bounced off of each other in a matter of minutes, rather than long video calls or email chains that could take weeks to solve. Being able to pitch an unformed idea to a meeting room of people and have them help you build on it can lead to great results, especially on a tight deadline. It also means that potential interruptions like lag or dropped connection don’t derail the train of thought and add delays.
Discover Meeting Rooms Perfect for Client Presentations
Finding the right space to bring your team and clients can show you exactly why meetings are important and why you can benefit from the right space. Matching your location with the tone of your meeting is crucial as you want to impress both your current clients, and your potential ones. If you’re a creative brand with a more modern approach to business, an ultra formal meeting room with little colour may leave both parties feeling cold. Likewise, a law firm is less likely to want bright colours, bean bags and pets roaming the space.
Whether it’s a cosy little room for a few colleagues to finish a joint project for an hour, or a week long series of board meetings between C-Level staff and management, Spacepool has you covered. Our handy platform allows you to accurately filter down exactly what you do and don’t need, so you can spend less time searching and more time doing exactly what’s important.