Post-COVID, avoiding crowds will become a new way of thinking. “The more, the merrier” was not the word on the street anymore, and people rely more on online tools. The question is, can meetings, seminars, conferences, and other types of events go online? Read the breakdown below for more insights.
In terms of conference, comparison of the offline and online format is based on the following criteria:
- CONTENT
Content includes information, meeting agenda, documents, presentations, etc. Both offline and online events are able to ensure a full delivery of intended content.
Offline – Online: 10 – 10
- INTERACTION:
“Face-to-face” interaction is definitely faster and more convenient as online interaction hinges on internet connection and technology. However, with today’s development making it easier to install a stable wireless line, the difference in interaction efficiency between the two types is no longer a big concern.
Offline – Online: 10 – 9
- FORMALITY
It is a matter of social decency that you attend an event with proper manners and formal attire. Meanwhile, online events make people neglect this prevailing custom. Because they can attend from anywhere, especially from home, they decide on the outfits half-heartedly.
Offline – Online: 10 – 7
- FEELING:
If we can experience the offline events with 4 out of 5 senses: sight – hearing – smell touch (in case of the meeting, the taste is excluded), online events only involve 1.5 senses. The senses that they fail to connect are touch (we cannot shake hands, hug, or enjoy the ambiance), smell (we cannot enjoy the smell of the event), and 0.5 sight (we cannot admire the space due to limited view). It is obvious that if the audience is restricted to the same viewing, they just develop the same emotion.
Offline – Online: 10 – 5
- CONCENTRATION:
It is known that meetings require deep concentration. Online events, however, are often plagued with interruptions and distractions. Just imagine, you are attending a meeting in a car, just a screech of brake is enough to make you lose attention. Or you might find other things to occupy your time, presuming that your actions are out of sight. It is easy to cut down on distraction, you need to find a proper place to attend the meeting and practice self-discipline. That being said, there is still a high risk of distraction during virtual meetings.
Offline – Online: 10 – 8
- BODY LANGUAGE:
How speakers use body language can influence the audience’s perceptions of contents and messages. By merely providing a factional view, online events prevent the audience from clearly seeing the body language of the speakers. In order to address this problem, organizers should adjust the camera angle and increase the number of cameras (if possible).
Offline – Online: 10 – 8
- TRANSPARENCY:
Transparency presents a real challenge to online events, particularly to online meetings that involve voting. Fortunately, blockchain technology has come to the rescue. Blockchain can be applied in all industries (agriculture, education, health, finance, banking, etc.). Data, once entered into the blockchain, cannot be modified or deleted.
Offline – Online: 10 – 10
- COSTS:
Compared to offline, online events stand out with much lower costs. The greater the event size is, the more money you save. In specific, you can reduce costs of venue leasing, electricity and water, and traveling. In major cities faced with traffic congestion on a daily basis, the path to the meeting seems longer.
Offline – Online: 5 – 10
- HUMAN CAPITAL:
Online events encourage users to organize and control the events by themselves without relying on the support of experts or relevant departments. Although things might be different depending on the event size, it is still the case that online events allow more effective use of human capital.
Offline – Online: 7 – 10
- EQUIPMENT:
If you purchase equipment for long-term use, offline and online events would incur the same amount of cost. If you hire equipment, the amount you save on audio rental will be used to offset the increased costs of video conferencing equipment.
Offline – Online: 10 -10
Summary: Offline 92 – 87 Online.
The difference is only 5 points. In part, this proves that online events can gradually overtake offline without compromising quality or lowering standards. Not to mention, technology facilitates brand improvement.
Cre: Mr. Nguyen Than – CEO Prosound Center Vietnam
