The Power of the Personal Touch [Infographic]

Much has been made about the importance of social media in business, the workplace and job searches.

However, according to a majority of business leaders, the impact of online networking will never exceed the power of in-person interaction.

The personal touch is something that had defined commerce for millennia—and will continue well into the future. Of course, globalization of business will guarantee that the role of web-based communications will affect every aspect of business—including recruitment, hiring and all other functions of human resources.

This infographic from Cisco.com summarizes a survey by their Economist Intelligence Unit, where 862 international business leaders across 19 industries identified the importance of in-person communication.

Those polled were asked about how in-person contact impacted over 30 business processes.

The data revealed in-person collaboration will improve business with colleagues, partners, and consumers; business was said to increase by as much as 20 percent.

The results included faster resolution of problems, improved partner participation and relationships with customers.

Infographic after the jump…