The Importance of Face-to-Face
All of our modern conveniences have allowed us great things such as the internet, cell phones, email, etc… that allow us to make contact around the world, at any time.
That means that we can hold a meeting with executives around the globe without buying a plane ticket. This is great, right? No expenses, no travel time, no need to coordinate schedules the same way.
However, while virtual meetings are undoubtedly convenient, anyone who has experience with virtual and face-to-face knows they are not equal.
This link is to a great article about the importance of face-to-face meetings. (Give it a minute to download.)
If you don’t have time to read the entire article, here are three things that I feel were some of the most important takeaways on why face-to-face meetings (and therefore attending ProMat and other tradeshows) are extremely important and put you and your business ahead:
(1) To capture attention. People’s full attention is needed when you want to initiate something new or different. When you want to initiate a new or different relationship, culture, strategy, or product, face-to-face is best.
(2) To inspire a positive emotional climate. Do not underestimate the power of inspiration and positive emotional climate as a real currency of business. When you want to energize and inspire, face-to-face is best.
(3) To build human networks and relationships. Information and resources are not the only things needed for work to get done effectively. Increasingly, information is being commoditized, while there is much greater value in “people networks and relationships.” To power up human networks and relationships, face-to-face is best.
Again, the full article is very interesting and gives many great reasons why face-to-face is worth the time and money. I really encourage you to read it, particularly if you feel some push-back from upper management about attending trade shows or other face-to-face meetings. You can also click here for more ideas to secure approval to attend ProMat 2011.
