In-Person Meetings Still the Best Way to Do Business

| September 29, 2009

In a recent survey about business and travel preferences, Forbes Insight asked more than 750 business executives how their travel has been affected by the recent recession. An overwhelming 84 percent of those surveyed still prefer in-person, face-to-face meetings to build stronger, meaningful business relationships; allow for more complex strategic thinking; and allow for social interaction and body language. Participants also felt in-person meetings were a better environment for focused decision-making, persuasion, engagement and accountability. Eighty-seven percent agreed that the tangible benefits of in-person meetings outweigh cost savings of alternative, technology-based meeting methods.