In Many Workplaces, Online Communication Has Overtaken Face To Face Meetings

Sample essay

Many workplaces now extensively use advanced telecommunication technologies. Consequently, employees hardly meet face to face. Instead, they have virtual meetings using an online platform. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this development. Even so, in my opinion, the disadvantages pale in comparison to the advantages.

The main advantage of using online communication tools is that employees can work remotely. Many people, especially young women with dependent children, are not able to work full time due to their familial commitments. Remote working facilitated by online communication technologies is a boon for them. They can now work from home and at the same time take care of their babies. Remote working also allows companies to reduce their expenses. Gone are the days when business executives had to travel overseas to finalize deals. Now they can do it over a virtual conference. Online communication is also eco-friendly. Emails have replaced snail mails. They get delivered almost instantaneously and can be saved for future reference. Better still, they do not require paper. When people meet online, they do not have to travel either. This reduces the number of vehicles on the road and thus improves the quality of air.

Of course, there are some downsides. When employees only have virtual meetings with their colleagues, it affects their bonding. It also affects their team working skills. Actually, it is easier to perform jobs that require the collaboration of several employees or departments in an office than online. When people work in the same office and regularly meet face to face, they can understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and offer input whenever necessary. This is not exactly possible when everyone works online. Even so, in my opinion, these disadvantages are not a major cause for concern especially when we consider the many benefits of online communication.

In conclusion, online communication technologies have literally eliminated the need for employees to meet face to face. Needless to say, companies have been adopting this technology with much enthusiasm. While it is true that there are some downsides to virtual meetings, in my opinion, they can largely be overlooked.

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