The world changed in 2020. The pandemic started, everything locked down, and we started living in a Zoom world.
Thanks to web communication and virtual meeting software, businesses continued to function. The change from going to the office to working from home significantly shifted how companies operate.
Four years passed, and we have become accustomed to the new normal. But what about corporate travel? Does it still matter in a Zoom world?
Before we go into how virtual meetings have changed how people travel for business, let’s look at the benefits and issues with each.
The Benefits of Virtual Meetings
Communication tools became accessible in the 1970s. Coincidentally, that’s when remote work started and soon replaced teleworking.
Technology has evolved from the phone to the computer and the internet, and working from home has become more accessible. Today, when you bring online communication tools into the office, you get people out (and working from home).
Here’s what that does for a business:
Increased Productivity
Two-thirds of employees (77% to be exact) report increased productivity when they work remotely a couple of times a month. Instead of waking up earlier, commuting to work, and chatting with colleagues, they sit down and do the work.
When you cut out non-work-related tasks in the office, productivity increases. Additionally, employees are happier when they spend more time with their family and pets and focus on tasks without distractions.
Reduced Costs
This one is a no-brainer. Instead of flying to a different country and paying for accommodation and meals, you click a button and start a meeting. Video conferencing software like Zoom and Google Meet drastically reduce travel costs. Businesses welcome this idea and make changes accordingly. Instead of traveling when they could, they travel when they must.
Changed Perspectives
Businesses took travel costs for granted. It was something that had to be done, and they did it. The pandemic paused it, leading companies to rethink how they work.
Is that meeting really worth the money?
The answer to that question determines whether you go online or go traveling.
The Issues with a “Zoom World”
Not everything about online meetings is perfect. Sure, there are decreased costs and more productivity. But they can lead to burnout, depression, and security issues.
When you’re at home all the time, and the only thing you think about is work, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Many people work multiple remote jobs, which adds more fuel to the fire.
Creating a work-life balance is impossible when you sleep next to your workstation. Humans are social beings, so a hybrid model is much better for mental health and team dynamics.
Security is another downside. When employees get out of the office, data becomes vulnerable. All it takes is one person to connect to free Wi-Fi in a coffee shop without a VPN to get hacked.
The cybersecurity of a company is as good as the least secure device. Hackers need one point of entry to install ransomware. Remote work is the reason why cyberattacks are on the rise.
What about Business Travel?
Before online meetings, people tried to replace business travel with email and telephones. It didn’t work. Face-to-face meetings are the universal best way to meet with clients and coworkers.
Online is Not the Same as In-Person
People experience in-person and online meetings differently. You can’t concentrate on an online discussion because it’s another task for the day. But when you travel, the entire experience has more weight.
Seeing the other side face-to-face adds a personal touch essential for business. You can convert prospective leads into customers more efficiently. That’s why it’s still the preferred method for C-suite managers and executives despite the price increases for traveling.
People Want to Travel
One of the best parts about business travel is exploring new places with the people you work with. You get different experiences and finish some work, too. It feels like a break from the day-to-day, so many companies consider online meetings a temporary replacement for regular travel.
Building Trust and Relationships
Body language, small talk, and physical cues don’t work as well through a webcam. Some people don’t even turn on their cameras in online meetings, which detriments building trust and relationships.
The whole point of business travel is the intangible benefits you get. You create personal connections. There’s something about a handshake, a whole-hearted laugh, and bonding in a restaurant that can’t happen through a screen. The same is true for negotiating, discussing confidential and sensitive data, and even sharing emotions.
Can Online and Physical Meetings Coexist?
The answer is yes. Corporate travel still matters, even though we live in a Zoom world. Both types of meetings have their place. All that matters are the circumstances.
- If the goal of a meeting is to build trust, discuss sensitive data, or negotiate a sales deal, the answer is corporate travel.
- If the goal of the meeting is a short strategy session, a software demo, or cybersecurity training, the answer is a virtual meeting.
How Will Meetings Evolve?
Because companies are traveling less frequently, a new trend appeared – bleisure. It’s when you travel for business and leisure. Companies invest in workations (combine work with entertainment) to boost morale and keep employees happy. The trips are getting longer because that saves costs, and the trends are becoming mainstream.
The metaverse tried to use VR to revolutionize office work, but it’s still in progress. Maybe we will wear headsets at home and feel like we’re working in the office. No one knows what the future holds and how this technology will be used.
To sum up, businesses realized the pros and cons of online and face-to-face meetings. They achieve more with fewer corporate trips but better quality travel.
