Virtual Meetings vs. Face-to-Face - Which is Better?

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


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