Answer:

Advantages of face-to-face communication

Body Language

An AUTHORITY on body language, James Borg says that human communication consists of 93% body language and paralinguistic cues, while just 7% consists of words. Body language speaks a LOT louder than words; you can gain a much better understanding of how a candidate or client is feeling than you would otherwise be able to through other forms of communication. 

Value

For many companies travel and meeting budgets were the first to get cut back when the recession hit but travelling to meet a client or candidate shows them that they’re worth your time and money, and vice versa. The more face-to-face communication you can have, the better. You’ll have their attention 100%, and your message is GUARANTEED to be heard. 

Building Relationships

In a survey by Forbes that spoke to 760 business executives, 84% preferred face-to-face communication. Of those, 85% said their reason was that it builds stronger, more meaningful business relationships. Respondents also said that face-to-face meetings are best for persuasion (91%), leadership (87%), and engagement (86%). 

Having a meeting, lunch or a cup of coffee will give you the opportunity to build a RELATIONSHIP. It’s a rapport that can’t be felt over email or phone, and it’ll help build camaraderie, credibility and trust in the relationship. It’ll also help to generate a collaborative environment, inspire and energise a positive emotional climate between both PARTIES. 

Misunderstandings

How many times has an email been misunderstood, misread or perceived by another party to be rude when it’s not? Face-to-face meetings minimise the risk of miscommunication compared to email or over the phone.