COVID, shot us forward to the virtual world. Today we do not have to leave our homes, take time off work, or leave school to have an appointment with most anyone. From healthcare to legal to school advisors most can be completed virtual. Therefore, saving you time, money from loss of work and travel expenses.
Have you ever taken a day off work, drove 10 minutes or 2 hours to get to an appointment? Checked in and waited your turn. Then finally, the appointment that last all of 30 minutes, and you are back on your way home. I am sure some people love the drive, take time to eat out or shop. Would you rather the appointment be during your lunch hour and/or change your lunch, so that it could at the appointment time? That is now an option for most places. You do not need to take the time off work or school.
Lets talk virtual meetings. Have you ever been in a meeting and others around you are having their own conversations? You miss information they are presenting because of the distractions. Now, you can have your space and possibly headset with volume control. Everyone, that is not presenting is usually muted. Wow! You can actually hear the information. Also, most platforms allow you to video record these meetings. Which allows you to go back and watch.
Down sides to these great virtual meetings/appointments. Other’s not paying attention to what is going on. Maybe there are kids in the back ground or they are at a work site and not able to be “at” the appointment. They sign in but have so many distractions. I have heard of being in a store and have kids with them. Being near the pool with a cocktail in one hand. Smoking, being shirtless. You get the idea.
When you have an appt, no matter who it is with, make the effort to stop what you are doing. Get ready for the appt. Put on a shirt, pull over to the side of the road, get away from other distractions. Act as if you got up, drove to the appointment and are interested in being part of the discussion.
Covid, shot us into the virtual world. We now embrace technology more. We can now hear what is going on in meetings/appointments. Save our paid time off from work. Spend less time traveling when virtual is an option. Enjoy the benefits. If virtual is not for you, take the time off, drive, wait and find a great lunch spot on the way home.
What have been your experiences with virtual appointments? Good? Bad? Have you given them a try? Comment below.