An article by Caroline Schultheiss, career coach and career consultant at Schultheiss and Moser Consulting
The technology was ready for digital consultations a long time ago, but it was probably the consultants themselves who held back. But was this justified? First things first: a remoteconsultation has the same effect as a face-to-face consultation. This means that the form has no influence on the outcome of the consultation process. Nevertheless, a certain skepticism is noticeable among many people. Is there a lack of digital skills?
A digital conversation can have a disinhibiting effect
From one day to the next, many employees at Homeoffice suddenly had to get to grips with various communication tools such as Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and so on. But it wasn't just the technology that was new: you can let the other person into your private space via video, showing a part of yourself that would otherwise never become public. However, my experience in recent weeks has shown that customers are more open and direct during consultations despite - or perhaps because of - the digital channels. Communication via video or telephone feels more anonymous than a direct conversation and can help to break down inhibitions.
Conscious communication is key
Nevertheless, Digital communication comes with certain hurdles. During a video chat or a phone call, you automatically perceive the other person in a more reduced way. You should therefore communicate more consciously, especially during consultations. It is all the more important to state your thoughts and feelings and communicate what you are doing. However, this condensation also means that the person you are talking to gets tired and distracted more quickly than in a face-to-face conversation. A digital consultation therefore requires even more concentrated listening and a sensitivity for non-verbal and paraverbal factors
Digital aids
Visualization is an important tool in the consulting process, especially for structuring thoughts and making them visible. With a digital consultation , it is therefore advisable for advisors to adapt their methods to the digital environment. However, today's tools for Digital communication have a number of functions that make it possible to work in almost the same way as with conventional methods: for example, work materials can be edited on a shared screen and notes can be recorded or ideas written down via the chat function - the flipchart becomes digital. The discussion partners can work together on the digital whiteboard and, for example, capture and move virtual post-its. They can visualize, collect skills or create their dream job portfolio. In this way, consultation becomes interactive - just like in a face-to-face meeting - and customers get involved and help shape it!
