Have global workshops had their day?

Oct 10 2021

Tim and I were talking the other day and reminiscing about the various trips we had been on to in various corners of the world. We debated whether the era of global in person strategy and planning meetings had passed, given the prevalence of Zoom and Teams, and the general trend towards remote and online working.

My initial thoughts were that face-to-face sessions have probably had their day – but on reflection, and thinking about the impact and outcomes from various sessions that I have facilitated or had experience of, I think they still have a valid role.

Global strategy / planning meetings fulfill a need; that of getting people to input ideas and contribute to discussions and decisions about the direction of the business – and can help negate any feeling of neglect and exclusion from the central “head office” planning and decision-making processes.

Such get togethers can have a bad reputation because they may be seen as too inward looking and “jollies” to exotic locations - but at their best, and if facilitated properly, they help in the creation of properly informed and well thought through shared plans for the future. (Also, frankly, if you have a global business with people based around the world, then any location for a workshop is likely to be regarded as “exotic” by someone!)

Online meetings only really “came of age” as a result of the pandemic and for the last 18 months or so there has been no viable alternative. However we have yet to fully appreciate the likely severe limitations they impose on the development and maintenance of good long term relations and engagement between people which is likely to have a knock on effect on the planning process and subsequent business results.

The picture depicts some of the sessions I have facilitated over the last few years - all of which achieved a lot over a few intensive days. We would not have achieved the same level of engagement and positive results if we had tried to run these sessions remotely.

What are your thoughts on face-to-face workshops? What do you perceive as the pros (and cons)? Will they return, and if so, when?

Please let us know your comments....

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