Companies are rightly encouraging the use of conferencing services over taking flights for short meetings. This makes sense. In the long run, hopefully, video conferencing services will be more widespread as these meetings are primarily held over the phone for now.
The big issue with telephone conferences and calls is that we can have conversations and get work done for a sustained period of time without needing to remember a basic fact – the person on the other end of the line is a real person, just like you.
Take time to get to know that person. Unless you are operating in crisis mode, spend the first 5 minutes talking about life (the weather doesn’t count) and of course, if there is any possibility to meet, do so! Place it on priority!
If you have had issues with working with someone purely over the phone, watch how they disappear once you make the effort/meet. And, on the other hand, if you have marvelled how much work can get done over tele conference, just wait till you actually meet and strike a relationship – it’s like magic!
A Learning a Day 
