The HBR Guides Collection (8 Books) (HBR Guide Series)

191191

Build Trust with a

Remote Audience

Thanks to easily accessible webinar and teleconference

technology, about 80% of corporate presentations are

delivered remotely, according to several live surveys I’ve

conducted with audiences at large companies in a range

of industries. That’s a stunning percentage. Any time

technology revolutionizes how we communicate, there’s

a trade-off: Communication theorist Marshall McLuhan

pointed it out when he proposed his system for examin-

ing the impact of new media on society. Use his system

to examine remote presenting (fi gure 6-3), and you’ll see

both positive and negative outcomes.

Even though it’s designed to connect people remotely

and even globally, the technology isolates participants

from human contact. ...