Virtual meetings: not just an option any more!

How much time and money do people spend going to, attending, and returning from meetings? How much of those resources are well spent? Global enterprises have a long history of collaboration across geographic distance. They are pushing to optimize the value of their meetings. While virtual meetings are not entirely new, a new model with new processes is required to optimize their value. This abstract represents my perspective on virtual meetings after participating in a study conducted by the Department of Anthropology at the University of North Texas. It compares and contrasts face-to-face meetings with virtual ones in the areas of performance, virtual and physical space, the plurality of spaces and their subsequent interactions, culture, relationships, benefits, and barriers. These and related questions are discussed. Remember the orange juice commercial, "It\´s not just for breakfast any more!" So too, is the virtual meeting: "It\´s not just an option any more, it\´s an active preferred choice".