Is Business Travel on its Way Out?

Traveling for business is not fun. We’re frequently rushed, we don’t eat well, and we have to deal with the hassle of airports and long-term parking. It is not surprising that a great many companies opt toward videoconferencing instead of traveling. As videoconferencing technology improves, many people wonder if business traveling could become a thing of the past.
 
The End of Business Travel?
But is this really what business people and their employers should want? Perhaps not. Videoconferencing may never take the place of face-to-face meetings in the business world because the best ideas tend to pop up during these in-person meetings. Consider the difference between how videoconferencing and in-person meetings usually work.
 
When people across the globe sign on to a videoconference, they generally introduce themselves quickly, if necessary, and then dive into the goal at hand. Brainstorming does not often play a big part in videoconferencing; this is partially because of the worry that the connection may fail. As well, there are lots of distractions within the individual’s office that can make fluid conversation tough.
 
The Benefits of Face-to-Face Time
Face-to-face interactions tend to be more personal and allow conversation to develop easily. Meetings may last longer if this happens, but the advantages of it can be excellent. New ideas come from the creative evolution of conversation. While it’s true that every meeting may not turn into a positive brainstorming session, it can be a great opportunity to develop interpersonal relationships in the office.
 
Business Travel is Here to Stay
Humans are a social species. Due to this, it’s improbable that business travel will disappear altogether. However, in today’s economy, many businesses just can’t afford to send their sales people away each and every time the need to meet a client. For this reason, advancements in videoconferencing are essential but the benefits of in-person meetings are so great that the savvy business owner will not abandon them for videoconferencing all together.

This article previously appeared on HaonTech.com