Recently, some members of our project management team had the opportunity to attend a face-to-face meeting with one of our clients, eurocom Translation Services, in Vienna. Us ‘STBers’ found the entire experience to be mutually beneficial for a whole host of reasons which are outlined below.
STB members at the eurocom office in Vienna
Face-to-face meetings allow greater scope for all parties to become engaged and involved. There’s no more hiding in the corner or succumbing to the temptation of reading emails in secret! The go-to options for many are emails or conference calls. These can often run the risk of being entirely misunderstood or misread by the recipient. I’m sure most of you will have encountered this in your business. Body language is a key component in communication for all face-to-face meetings, which can also help minimise the risk of miscommunication. All of the guesswork is simply taken out of the equation.
In addition, in-person interactions are by far the best way to build on existing relationships. Meeting attendees can hold detailed discussions and share ideas with one another at length, all in a relaxed environment. This is turn creates a sense of camaraderie and nurtures feelings of trust and empathy. These are important concepts for continued business as well as client retention. However, they are difficult to maintain solely using electronic means of communication.
When it comes to the idea of effectiveness, face-to-face communication in a meeting is invaluable! If there are any difficulties that need ironing out, a consensus can be reached much more quickly. This results in a boost of efficiency. Rather than wasting time sending emails back and forth, everything can be resolved simply with one short conversation.
The next time you hold a virtual meeting via Skype or take part in a conference call from the convenience of your own office, think again! Of course, several factors can come into play for many businesses, including expenses, time and distance. It may be worth considering scheduling a meeting and assessing the potential long-term benefits it could provide.
If you have any questions about how to arrange a face-to-face meeting with any of our Project Managers and/or members of our Sales/Marketing team, we would be delighted to answer them. Why not email us today at hello@surreytranslation.co.uk or give us a call on +44 (0) 1252 733 999. We look forward to hearing from you!
