Virtual working has been around for many years now, with many people specialising in helping virtual or distance workers to keep connected, helping managers to manage virtually, and helping ensure virtual customers do not suffer from the lack of face-to-face contact.
I am lucky enough to work virtually on a regular basis, and it has its benefits and drawbacks. It is easier to get things done without the distractions of the office, but the flip side of that same coin is that I can easily go a whole day without saying one word to anyone.
However, the question many have now been asking, is whether or not the problems travellers have experienced throughout Europe recently due to the Volcanic Ash Cloud will affect the way we do business in the future?
Many of us have rejoiced in the peace and quiet of not having planes screaming overhead when trying to enjoy the sunny outdoors.
Many of us have thought about how our lifestyle may revert to the 1950s, with air travel restricted to the very rich and the rest of us mere mortals enjoying the slower, quieter things in life, such as a train journey, or holidaying within our own country. There are many areas of the UK I have not visited because, sad to say, it is cheaper to fly to Italy for the weekend, for example, than it is to get to the Lake District (quicker too!).
Despite the disruption to friends and colleagues over this period, and wary of the damage to business that the reduced (or removed option of) air travel might bring, it does also suggest a brave new world, stepping away from environmental catastrophe, stepping back from the relentless pace of modern business and leisure, and stepping smoothly over to a more intelligent way of doing things.
Back in the 1950s and since, business people travelled because they had to if they wanted to see their clients. The recent improvements in modern technology, with video conferencing, virtual seminars and virtual worlds allowing users to interact in every way except using touch (and that will surely come) provide the opportunity for technology companies to show what they're made of. To show organisations of every size that you can save huge amounts of money by not travelling, but without losing those international clients. To show individuals and organisations that you can trust someone online... not just face-to-face.
The only problem I see (and contrary to what Harold Jarche says) is that too many people have no idea what virtual worlds are, they don't concentrate on virtual seminars (because they carry on working on the computer) and they haven't properly tried video conferencing. The majority of people I meet through business are not techies. They don't use modern technology unless provided to them by their IT departments (despite having all the latest gadgets at home). They certainly aren't 'power users'.
Consequently, there is a great opportunity here for both the tech. companies to provide the means for virtual working and virtual business; but also a great opportunity for those involved in training and education to help organisations embrace the new technology; to change their working methods and their mindset so that they understand the value of it in the same way they understand the value of a telephone.
The biggest opportunity of all is when you get the complete solution: new technology with coaching and change consultancy combined, to make sure the new stuff sticks.
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