Networking in the Digital Age
We’re now seeing industry events back in full force, people can’t wait to reconnect with those they haven’t in years and the feeling generally is that you can’t beat face-to-face interaction. The attendance at recent events certainly supports this and it’s great to see given all we’ve been through.
More Ways to Connect
However, we should share some appreciation for just how important video calls have been - being able to connect virtually and effectively without needing to leave your home has been a real paradigm shift in our working environment.
I don’t think it’s going to be long until we see the next shift and the metaverse holds the key this time.
There is not one accurate definition of the metaverse as it continues to evolve but for this article, it’s effectively a virtual reality space where users can interact with other users in a computer-generated environment. Effectively crossing the physical/digital divide between actual and virtual realities.
Though still in its infancy, it’s a rapidly growing concept that is already starting to influence hybrid events and VR (Virtual Reality) office spaces, so there’s no doubt it’s going to disrupt the way we connect, network and do business today.
Virtual events can enable large-scale participation globally without the need for people to leave their homes
The typical 9-5 has already been challenged, it’s likely the majority of businesses will continue to embrace flexible and remote working and it’s here where the metaverse can help to ensure employee engagement and navigate those issues typically linked to remote working.
The use of virtual events means that businesses can host and participate in meetings, create breakout areas, team building, etc.
Our digital lives, which we’ve been living through our phones and computers have gradually started catching up to our physical lives.
Our More Sustainable Way Forward
Another aspect of this — one which is a major topic of our industry — is sustainability. There have been major strides being made in aviation to become carbon neutral, so why do we continue to invest in such unsustainable events?
Just look around at a typical trade show. Numerous exhibiting spaces are constructed for a single use, endless brochures and paper items and tons of corporate swag that likely gets much use.
Not to mention the countless miles traveled by many of the participants and the mass amounts of energy consumed at the trade hall. If we’re truly serious about sustainability, we need to look for better ways to network.
This is another area where emerging tech such as the metaverse and virtual reality can lend a hand in creating a better way forward.
Of course, it is important to continue to establish connections face-to-face, but that should be reserved for deeper connections, not mass-filter meetups.
And let’s not forget, that we’re amid a changing workforce. There’s like a lot of apprehension among many aviation professionals, but soon they’ll be replaced by digital-native millennials and even more so, Gen Zers, who may prefer to connect digitally.
The bottom line is the world is changing and soon — whether you like it or not — how we network is as well.