Let’s Meet Face-to-Face: The Value of Offline Meetings
The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan
Technology has been reshaping the enterprise communication scene over the years. While we can still pick up the phone and dial a long-distance call the traditional way, most of us are using online services for conferences and meetings.
Getting a team or business partners scattered across various locations to sit down in one room can sometimes be challenging. Online meetings can save tremendous time and cost relating to commuting and traveling. The omnipresence of online meetings in today’s business world is also giving way to an increasing number of conferencing technology and innovations for better user experience. We are seeing automatic transcription features (as a result of advances in A.I. and deep learning), improvement in audio quality, real-time translation and we are expecting more to come.
So, in an era where we have digital solutions for almost all business activities, what is the value of offline, face-to-face meetings?
The Value of Offline Meetings
There’s something technology simply cannot replace ー human connection.
Bodies don’t lie
Our bodies can communicate and reveal informationー vocal tone, facial expression, eye contact, posture and facial expression just to name a few. Most of the time these nonverbal signalings are more honest than our carefully chosen words as they are most likely to be automatic and performed subconsciously. Our brains are able to pick up on this information from others and reveal rich information about that person.
It can be hard to gauge reactions, non-verbal cues and attention when people are far away, especially during online calls where we rely only on the choice of words. Having an in-person meeting allows individuals to feel the room out, have a better idea of what others are actually saying or implying, and how well they understand the information being communicated. Sequentially, one can adjust and adapt their communication style and pace to better engage the audience.
The power of a handshake
When you’re in a room with new business partners, prospective clients or colleagues, a thorough introduction, which isn’t always the case in video conferences, to each meeting participants is made possible. Most business relationships begin with a handshake and deals are often closed with another.
Apparently, a handshake can go a long way. A 2018 research examined how a handshake can influence deal-making and negotiations. Researcher Juliana Schroeder, assistant professor in the Berkeley Haas Management of Organization Group, states that the simple gesture has a psychological effect, changing the way we perceive another person and framing a cooperative setting. Studies in the research showed participants who shook hands before a negotiation reached a greater agreement and tend to engage in more conversations after the negotiation.
According to another study by imago and Loughborough University School of Business and Economics, face-to-face communication can most effectively influence business contracts and deals negotiation. Next time you are closing a deal, consider creating more face time with the partner!
Creating trust-worthy and meaningful relationships
Offline meetings allow us to go beyond business conversations, they serve as valuable opportunities to build meaningful business relationships, and more importantly, trust. When you meet in person, chances are you and your meeting partners will engage in small talks before, throughout or after the meeting that can reveal unique insights. In fact, many breakthrough conversations quite often happen casually.
Seeing things with our own eyes gives us a sense of trust and legitimacy. Imagine there is this prospective business partner in another city, what better way to understand their business operations, company culture and organization than to immerse yourself in their work environment? There are things simply difficult to communicate and get a full grasp on a call or video conference.
Going beyond a meeting
We dial in a video conference or a conference call, get the work done and press “End Call”, and then carry on with our own daily agenda. Instead of going separate ways after shutting down the computer screen, offline meetings can often lead to interactions outside the meeting room. For example, you may want to take a co-worker from an overseas branch to explore the city or perhaps impress a prospective client with an indulgent dining experience.
Mohan Mahal restaurant at JW Marriott Jaipur Resort & Spa offers a unique dining experience showcasing Indian culture and cuisine
The Four Points Mahabs Express at Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort & Convention Center takes guests to some of the best destinations in Mahabalipuram
The team at Silvester’s Restaurant, Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay, can curate immersive dining experiences your guests won’t forget
Online or Offline?
Meetings can be completely virtual or in-person, or a mix of both. Most major corporations are adopting all three formats, so when do we decide a face-to-face meeting is the best approach?
Meetings and events are best done offline when sentiment plays a big part or where relationship building is the key focus, for instance, kick-off meetings to motivate the team, client meetings, or networking events.
If, due to some restrictions, it’s simply not possible to have everyone coming to the meeting in person, try bringing in as many attendees in the same room as possible and use technology to bring others to the room virtually.
Be selective when considering the best meeting mode. For meetings that are operational such as weekly catch-up for project updates, these may do well with an online meeting, but more complex and strategic activities may benefit from some human interactions.
In the next article, we’ll give you some tips on building and nurturing meaningful connections among your attendees at a large conference.
Hosting your meeting with us?
Get in touch with one of our event planning specialists today and start planning for a truly unique and meaningful meeting experience.
RELATED ARTICLE
We’re living in an unprecedented time, with a global health and economic crisis that has disrupted industries across the world.
Overview of Local Customs Trends
As the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, we must all do our part to support one another and the communities that…
Setting Up Events in New Normal
We’re living in an unprecedented time, with a global health and economic crisis that has disrupted industries across the world.…
Event planners should do to prep
As the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, Marriott and the whole hospitality industry has prioritized the health…
Setting Up Events in New Normal
Embrace diversity and inclusivity in your next event so that everyone, no matter their background, is given a chance to thrive,…
Embracing Diversity At Events
As businesses are starting to open up again, let’s go beyond the screen and connect with your teams and clients in a clean and…
5 Ideas for Events in Australia
Previously, we interviewed some of our event planners about working with a limited budget. Today we’ll show you a few ways to…
10 Affordable Event Decor Ideas
While we may not be able to meet face-to-face now, it doesn’t mean we can’t stay connected with each other. Consider planning…
ONLINE ACTIVITIES YOU CAN HOST
Expanding knowledge, finding solutions to problems and presenting new products or services are just a few reasons why people…
Make Large Conference Intimate
2019 has been a memorable year for our spectacular #MIEVENTS moments. As Marriott’s event planners collaborate with clients all…
2019 #MIEVENTS Moment
Gone are the days when corporate events are stilted and take a mundane form with basic formalities and lackluster décor. As with…
Your Insta Moment Events
Throughout 2019, we have interviewed some event planning experts at Marriott’s Asia Pacific properties, who have been kind enough…
2019 Event Planning Tips
We've got you covered. Just sit back, relax and take the quiz now to find the perfect theme for your year-end party!
2019 Wrap-Up Party themes
All across the Asia Pacific, Marriott’s event planners have had a very busy year at their hotels working alongside clients,…
Meetings & Event Trends Wrap-Up
Looking for the ultimate event to make a difference? Want to still throw a great party whilst raising funds for a meaningful…
Unique Company CSR Programmes
The event industry is reshaping, and consumer behaviors are shifting rapidly. To keep up with customer satisfaction and…
The Future of Meetings & Events
In most cases, event planners are given a limited budget to pull off an event, whether it’s a birthday party or a corporate gala.…
Limited Budget? No Problem!
Trying to take your corporate end-of-year celebration OOTO? Or throwing a New Year’s Eve party for your loved ones? See four of…
Ending 2019 with a Bang!
Get ready to plan a party of a lifetime, filled with unexpected twists and turns, fantastical settings and ethereal adventures.…
Whimsical Events Inspirations
Birthday parties, company incentive trip, CSR activity, fashion brand launch, real estate press conference, gala dinner and the…
Unique Moments of Event Planners
Keeping your guests entertained throughout a party or an evening gathering can at times exhaust an event planner’s book of party…
"Fire" Ways to Entertain Guests
As event planners, you can help to make a positive impact on climate change for your guests, clients, and the community.
Eco-Friendly Meetings Tips
No two days are identical in the life of an event planner. Some days, you get to create the most romantic and unforgettable…
NO DAYS THE SAME FOR PLANNERS
Plan unique events at these unconventional venues that Marriott has to offer. Think beyond four walls and explore creative ways to…
Unique Event Spaces
Find your flow this summer at W Hotels! It is nice to take a deep breath once in a while during the busy summer, and what better…
Must Try Yoga Break Ideas
Emily Yoo and Helen Yang share their personal experience in event planning and how they achieve career success at Marriott
Our Successful Event Planners
According to findings from The Future of Meetings & Events report we generated, as a partnership between Marriott and PCMA, we are…
Business Event Trends 2019
More than ever, companies are seen as the leaders for social and environmental change - and event attendees are looking to…
Earth day Everyday
Starting to notice some puffy eyes, frequent grunts and a drop in productivity around the office? Maybe it’s time to call for a…
Unique Company Retreat Ideas
Lunar New Year has started for a while now and are you still wondering how your work life and fortune are going to be affected by…
5 Event Planner Success Traits
With over 30 years of experience, meet our event planners Sherwin Lucas and Czats Lopez who are here to give you insiders tips to…
Meet Our Event Planners
Wishing you the best in the Year of the Rat! Incorporate some team #DIY into your celebrations with these festive paper peonies...
Diy Paper Peonies
With May 19 looming closer, the world is buzzing with excitement for the latest addition to England’s royal family. After dating…
Royal wedding inspired event tip
As the FIFA World Cup 2018 steps up to the global stage in June, millions across the globe will once again tune into the…
Planning multi-venue events
Whether it's a simple centerpiece or a dazzling display, flowers can enhance a celebration with the right burst of beauty. Even if…
Flower arrangement for events
A successful event doesn't have to be a dramatic, large-scale affair. Small events can offer your guests myriad benefits, too,…
Tips for successful small events
Coordinating a one-day event presents plenty of challenges, as any planner knows. So when an event spans two or more days, the…
Multiday event planning tips
When designing an event, planners sometimes fail to consider etiquette, which can be important in creating an environment…
Event etiquette in Asia
You don’t need to wait until Earth Day to create an eco-friendly event. Regardless of your audience, incorporating sustainable…
3 tips for sustainable events
Warmer weather and tasty treats will inevitably draw thousands to annual food festivals this spring, including events like The…
Planning multicultural events
You don’t need to be a superhero to launch the perfect event—but it doesn’t hurt to think like one. With Avengers: Infinity War…
Plan events like an Avenger
Everyone dreams of planning an event that will pack the house and be known as "the event of the season." Large events can…
