Let’s Get Physical! Why Online Meetings Are Not a Good Idea
Another meeting that could have been an email. Ineffective meetings cost time and money. However, we now have many techniques to make meetings more productive and reduce meeting waste. One well-known method is that of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos. He has 3 golden rules: PowerPoint presentations are replaced by narrative memos, every meeting starts with half an hour of silence, and under the motto ‘the fewer people, the more joy’, the number of participants around the table should be satisfied with 2 large pizzas.
An efficient meeting method gets you off to a good start. (Do you want more inspiration? Then read these 7 tips for more productive meetings or boost your meeting with these 8 out-of-the-box ideas.) But if you want to get more out of your meeting, it is not only important to apply the right techniques, the choice of medium is equally important.
Not All Meetings Are Created Equal
Online meetings are hot and trending. Logical, because it not only saves costs and time, but it is also easily accessible to everyone. However, it is not always the best choice. 90% of the meetings we have can take place online or in a hybrid form, as long as the meeting is well-prepared and structured. But the other 10% of the meetings must – without exception – take place physically.
When Is Face-to-Face Meeting a Must?
Online or physical? To make the right choice, we need to look at the ultimate goal of our meeting. ‘Ah, but that’s not what I meant…’ Is context and physical contact necessary to convey the message of your story 100% correctly? Then face-to-face meeting is your only option. The informality of physical meetings allows you to feel the atmosphere correctly and to solve struggles, questions, or concerns – which would otherwise never arise – immediately.
Examples of meetings where physical contact is necessary for their success are strategic meetings, meetings in which a new project or team is launched, reflective meetings, team performance meetings, brainstorms, and inspirational meetings in which successes and improvement points are presented.
Change of Space Boosts Productivity
If you want to take your meeting to the next level, ideally it should take place outside the context of your familiar work environment. In a new environment that feels comfortable and exudes an informal atmosphere, your creativity is stimulated and you can discuss without interruption. Do you prefer a calming or a more exciting environment? All good! As long as you literally and figuratively distance yourself from the “daily routine”.
And where will you organize your next strategy meeting? Discover our inspiring locations and book your customized meeting room!
