"Within five years, technology will obliterate the need for business travel." - Inspired by new videoconferencing technologies and rising fuel costs

I completely agree. Remember that one of the big benefits touted by the media, business professionals and etc. of the Internet at the beginning of the information age was that it broke down boundaries, especially boundaries of distance. The natural evolution of this benefit will be the decreasing need for business-related travel.

Of course the big "but" in this is how accessible will this technology be for small and smaller businesses. Right now companies like WebEx make it real easy but I still think we have a ways to go.

I don't think it will be obliterated. But I can see it lessened dramatically. It will be for only the most important of meetings or conferences.

I don't think so. There is no substitute for meeting someone in person and shaking their hand. I feel you can not get a sense of someone until you meet them in person.

Obliterate? Maybe a bit strong. Will you begin doing all your dating over the internet when video conferencing makes that possible? No, so its the same for interviews, conferences, and meetings. Nothing beats the real thing. It also seems to me that it would be a lot easier to fire someone who is on a video conference, rather than having to do it in person, when they're right in front of you. Something to think about. Think about the cutbacks in elimination of bad breath, clammy handshakes, and awkward physical embraces. Video conferencing will cure all that.

Typical of this site, too much of a focus on technology and not enough on people. Human relationships are at the core of life. Fewer geeks, more authentic people. That's the future.

Business travel continues

I agree with Rip, particularly on the point of handshakes and hugs, and think that "obliterate" is too strong a word. I'm sure that some aspects of emerging technology, coupled will high fuel prices, will create less of a need for business travel. But there's still no replacement for an in-person experience, especially if you're handling serious business like closing a deal.

Hasn't it already?!
Dina Boettcher
Boettcher Communications, LLC

Through technology we continue to move in this direction, but as expressed by others I agree 'obliterate' is to strong a position. I work with far too many virtual teams who are missing the necessary relational connections of spending shared time working/socializing face to face.

So while they don't necessarily need to do that every day, day in and out - the absence of it creates a void that cannot be replicated virtually.

Technology can only support the in-person experience -- a technology-only relationship is incomplete, so there will be a lack of trust. But if you start with in-person meetings, the technology is exponentially more effective and efficient.

Whist I believe technology will drastically remove the need for a lot of business travel, I still feel there will be a need for some travel, e.g. initial contacts, sales meetings, etc

The technology still has a lot of wok to do to catch-up with the richness of interaction that is created by meeting someone in person.

Also business culture has to also assimilate these changes ad ways of doing business. So like all possible solutions, it is as much about the People, Process, and Technology dynamics and their interactions that will achieve these type of changes!