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F2F

We sometimes forget that Advocacy is also built via face to face (or F2F). Despite the awesome power of technology, nothing beats F2F communications and recommendations. That is why I was glad to find this article in last week’s New York Times.  Researchers at The Media Lab working with Hitachi Data Systems discovered that F2F communications were far more important to an organization’s work than generally believed. In fact, the article noted that productivity improved 30% with an incremental increase in F2F communication. Apparently the results were so promising that Hitachi has established a consulting business based on the research.

This finding has plenty of application for CEOs and leaders who want to motivate their workforces and manage through this lingering recession. A little F2F will deliver valuable ROI. I am not sure if I mentioned on this blog the recent research we did at Weber Shandwick on how few leaders were communicating during these hard times and how much employees wanted to hear from them. F2F can cure many ills. CEOs and leaders should step outside their offices, wander the halls and just ask people how they are doing. Start a conversation and then everyone can get back to work with gusto.