So, here's the thing.  I am a huge fan of technology and using it to communicate and do your job better - whether that job be recruiting, managing a team, or marketing / branding your company.  BUT, and you may have noticed, that was a big but, there is nothing that can replace face-to-face. Nothing. 

I have had the good fortune of spending some time at past conferences with Blogging4Jobs founder, this was usually time in passing or presenting together at a conference or even a simple wave hello across the room.  My fortune became much richer at having some extended time to really talk about social media and its affect on business today. She is good people and I am glad to report, not so rare a breed in that many in our space really do have the recruiter's and jobseeker's concerns at heart.

The impact that Jessica is having is quite impressive though.  She has tens of thousands of followers outside of "our" shared space and has created a career and a realm all her own in which to work and fulfill dreams, and not just her own.  The impact of social media is real, it is not going away - she and I have been saying this for years - as evidenced by the multiple events that share its features, its capabilities and the changes it has brought to work, how we communicate and, really, our lives. Well, my life anyway.

I, for one, know that marketing has forever been altered, as has branding.  Additionally, the tools available to recruiters are multiplying daily.  And for the better.  And this is all good. But, here it is and I am unafraid to say it, write, shout it through the room: Face-to-Face is not going away either.  All these tools we tout and gleefully use are all about bringing us together... so let's come together.  Let's chat - outside of a chat room.  Let's talk - without using a phone.  Let's project manage - by sharing what we know, not directing our team to a project management site. Let's drive innovation by sitting next to each other and brainstorming in front of a real white board, not a virtual one.  

A tool?  yes, but often misplaced and / or unused and misused.  Re-commitment to each other as a flesh and blood entity, not a hashtag or twitter handle, not a fan page or an avatar. It isn't easy to balance but the thrill is greater, the drive more drivable and the craft more craftable if you get your hands actually on it, your face actually in front of it and your words in behind of your voice... Just do it.  Pick up the phone, schedule some chat time offline and put the mobile device down when you get that time.  It will do your mind good.  Face-to-Face is just in a little coma - it's up to you to wake it.  It is here to stay, truly.  

by rayannethorn