Meetings, meetings, meetings
29-06-21
This month, we feature a blog from Rachel Silverwood on the topic of meetings!
So the originally planned Freedom day did not happen on 21st June as we had all hoped, but there is at least light at the end of the tunnel. We are starting to consider how we return to some form of normality and look at the positives that have come out of this pandemic.
One of the biggest changes has been in working practices and the better use of technology to enable more efficient ways of working. Being able to conduct meetings virtually during lockdown has provided real benefits to our business. Whilst the Melber Flinn team have always been home based (way ahead of the game!) Steve and I used to spend a couple of days a week out of the office, meeting clients and candidates, usually in a hospital café or a motorway service station over a dodgy cuppa. We would plan our diaries around a location for the day and catch up with as many clients and candidates as was possible. That all ended in March 2020.
We were initially quite concerned that our lack of face-to-face meetings would have a significant impact on the business as there was a definite correlation between the number of meetings held and the number of new interim requirements registered. As with most businesses, we quickly adapted and meetings were held via MS Teams or Zoom.
At the end of 2020 we analysed our activity to see what impact, if any, this had had in terms of number of new roles registered. Year on year the number of new requirements for 2020 vs 2019 saw an in increased of 24%. So maybe virtual is the way to go?
At a recent team get together (face to face!) the topic of meetings came up. When would we be able to get out and about again? Should we go out and about again? Will clients and candidates want to meet up for a coffee? Or do we continue with meetings via MS Teams where we can speak to anyone, anywhere at any time of the day? Do you get the same connection meeting virtually vs face to face?
Personally, I do miss getting out and about and meeting people in their working environment, but I suspect virtual meetings are here to stay. I’m happy with a mix of the two but I’m definitely ready to get out and about again, so if I’m somewhere near you in the coming months I’ll let you know and perhaps we can catch up over a cuppa?