When COVID-19 hit (first paragraph into a blog and I've already mentioned the 'c word'), my business took a massive hit as it did for many. Workshops stopped, the majority of my clients closed down, most temporarily thankfully but I wasn't sure what was going to happen.
I'd gradually been building a solid business, was thoroughly enjoying workshops and had been hosting 1-2-1s with business owners. Now what? I know that I was one of the lucky ones. After a relatively small hiatus, workshops moved online and with the help of a bounce back loan,I moved into a shipping container that I converted into an office on Pollard Yard in Ancoats. This was a major step. My wife has always worked from home in her role with Macmillan, the cancer charity, therefore our spare room was also her office. Having previously been out and about running workshops or using the excellent co-working space available in Manchester city centre, I now found myself permanently working at the kitchen table and then at a desk set up in our living room. Being in an apartment, my desk was always in front of me, apart from when I was in the bathroom or bedroom. Whether cooking or chilling, watching TV or reading, it felt like there was no escape.
But there was. My office provided me with a space and without a doubt helped my mental health. I feel blessed that from thereon in, my business grew. Everything moved online, 1-2-1s, workshops and meetings. This meant that I could quite easily work further afield than Manchester without any considerable effort.
Although I prefer the face to face engagement, this new way of working had benefits not just for the geographical reach of my work. Travel on trains and trams was paused, freeing up considerable time. I sensed the relaxed nature of people on the other end of the Zoom or Teams call. More comfortable in their own surroundings and not physically in front of me at a desk or in a more corporate environment, there was a more palpable feel of a lack of formality. This evoked open discussion around their struggles in setting up or continuing their business, their fear of social media, failure and imposter syndrome. Tears were common when parents discussed concerns of balancing their current job (many were developing side hustles into businesses), their dream of being their own boss or turning their passion into a viable enterprise, home schooling children, losing friends and relatives to the pandemic and avoiding it themselves. The flip side was some who were SO comfortable with the new format, they stayed in pyjamas on camera, or were obviously watching This Morning off camera as I chatted about algorithms and Facebook Ads. But it wasn't important. People were making contact and that mattered and some interesting conversations were born because of it, as well as some quite difficult ones.
Why after so long am I talking about this now? Certain negative aspects of what evolved from that period of uncertainty and 'finding our feet' remain today. Time keeping is one (might just be me!). I'm old enough to remember when, if you were due to meet someone, if you were running late you would WhatsApp to apologise for your tardiness, a little further back in the day you would text, prior to that, call them (heaven forbid) and before that just make sure you were on time. Nowadays, because a session is online, many believe it acceptable to ignore the clock, make a brew and show up whenever it suits. The norm often also seems to be... "Shall we meet for a coffee?"..."Nah, let's just do it on Zoom." Similarly hybrid networking or larger scale meetings where some 'in the room' are virtual, others physically present. Logistically and practically this may make sense sometimes, however, the split situation isn't ideal with those on camera often feeling more than just physically removed from other attendees.
There is nothing like talking face to face, no matter how nervous or lacking in confidence you may be. Whether stumbling over your words or fluffing your previously well rehearsed pitch, you will always be far more eloquent and passionate in real life than you ever will be in a Facebook post. Although there are serial networkers out there, the majority of us feel a little uncomfortable in these situations which means they will probably be feeling the same as you. And I know of many people whose opening gambit with someone is along the lines of 'I really don't like these things do you?' It opens the conversation, potentially puts the other delegate at ease and you're avoiding going straight for the sale.
There are so many positives to take from the rapid and forced development in our communication processes yet some of the 'good old days' should never be forgotten. It is easier to hide behind a screen, we all know that. Maybe, however, the tide is turning a little. I attended a webinar recently where the host insisted that everyone had their cameras on at all times. Admittedly, it felt a little intrusive but I understand why. Whether people on the call were really listening or not, they weren't puffing on a vape or eating their lunch, but in a world where we want to multi-task who knows what is the right answer.