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Positive or negative WorkTech Essay #524
Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

Today it is common practice for many business meetings and business training to take place online.

Do the advantages of this new development outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Use the plan, then compare with Band 9.
280 words · 4 paragraphs
Introduction

Paraphrase the trend of online business meetings and training. State that negatives are more significant than advantages.

In the contemporary era, a significant shift has been observed in the business world where meetings and training sessions are increasingly being conducted online. While this development brings with it certain benefits, it is arguable that the drawbacks are more pronounced.

Body 1 · View 1

Topic sentence: Main benefit is convenience. Point 1: Flexibility/can join from anywhere, saves time and travel costs. Point 2: More participants/inclusive (international companies example).

The primary advantage of this digital transition is the convenience it offers. With the advent of online platforms, business professionals can participate in meetings or training sessions from any location, eliminating the need for physical presence. This flexibility not only saves time but also reduces the financial burden associated with travel expenses. Furthermore, online meetings have the potential to accommodate a larger number of participants, thereby fostering a more inclusive environment. For instance, multinational corporations can easily connect their global teams through virtual meetings, thus promoting a sense of unity and collaboration.

Body 2 · View 2

Topic sentence: Negatives are important. Point 1: Lack of personal interaction/missing non-verbal signals. Point 2: Reliance on technology/technical problems (internet/software issues) leading to interruptions/miscommunication.

However, the downsides of this trend cannot be overlooked. One major concern is the lack of personal interaction, which is an essential component of effective communication. In face-to-face meetings, non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions play a crucial role in conveying messages accurately, a subtlety that is often lost in virtual communication. Moreover, the reliance on technology for business meetings and training can lead to technical issues, such as unstable internet connections or software glitches. These issues can disrupt the flow of the meeting, causing frustration and potentially leading to misunderstandings or miscommunication.

Conclusion

Summarize main points (convenience/inclusivity vs. impersonal communication/technical problems). Restate that drawbacks are more troublesome/negatives outweigh and traditional methods shouldn't be undervalued.

In conclusion, while the convenience and inclusivity offered by online business meetings and training are noteworthy, the disadvantages of impersonal communication and potential technical issues make this development more problematic. The essence of personal interaction and the reliability of traditional methods should not be underestimated in the pursuit of digital convenience.

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Next question: Developments in technology mean that more and more machines are being used in the workplace instead of human employees. Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?