Technology 'a poor substitute' for meetings

TECHNOLOGY is considered a poor substitute to meetings by most Australian businesses.

Most Australian businesses travellers believe face-to-face meetings are the the most effective way to communicate / File

TECHNOLOGY is considered a poor substitute to meeting in person by most Australian businesses.

Almost 80 per cent of Australian businesses travellers believe face-to-face meetings are the the most effective way to communicate in the corporate environment, according to a survey by Galaxy Research.

Most businesses say they profit from investing in sending employees interstate to meet with clients and customers, the survey found.

Four out of five (82 per cent) of Australian business travellers have been away on business in the past six months, despite cutbacks associated with the 2009 global financial crisis.

The survey commissioned by Toga Hospitality - one of Australia’s largest hotel chains - found that despite advances in conferencing technology only one in ten business travellers (11 per cent) believe video conferencing is more effective than meetings while just 8 per cent prefer communicating by telephone.

Toga Hospitality CEO Rachel Argaman said corporate travel had withstood the financial crisis.

“While the travel industry has certainly felt the effects of the recent economic downturn, Australian businesses still see the value in sending their team members across the country to see customers,” Ms Argaman said.

She said the survey found almost half of all business travellers (49 per cent) have meetings in their hotels

The survey of 405 business travellers throughout Australia found:

Three in four Australian business travellers (76 per cent) consider face-to-face meetings the most effective way of running a successful business

Almost half all business travellers (49 per cent) conduct meetings in their hotels whilst away on business

One in ten business travellers (11 per cent) find video conferencing superior to face-to-face meetings

Eight per cent find conducting meetings by telephone more effective

Four out of five of the Australian business travellers (82 per cent) have been away on business in the last six months