A Solution To The G20/g8 Security Issues - Virtual Meetings

The recent G8 and G20 summits inconvenienced Torontonians and outraged Canadians because of the nearly 0.93 billion dollars spent on security for these two events. It is difficult to argue that the leaders from all the countries involved should have less protection but is there a better way?

Claire Sookman, founder of Virtual Team Builders and author of Across the Hall, Around the World, has a solution. Sookman states "I believe the G20 summit could held just as effectively as a virtual meeting with little to no cost to the host company". And having improved the productivity of well over 2000 virtual teams, her solution to G20 security costs isn’t to be taken lightly.

It is understandable that some people might be opposed to this idea, namely press and businesses that profit from the G20 being geographically present. Sookman believes having a virtual G20 would in fact benefit the press and the many businesses that already enjoy G20 profits. Pertaining to press, she asks "Where does all the press end up? And what is the most powerful route of information we have access to?” Of course it is the internet. She believes that holding the G20 virtually will actually increase the press’ ability to report and suggests that once the G20 is moved online the possibilities are endless. Instant discussions, chat rooms, up to date polls and surveys are just the start. As for the businesses, Sookman believes that the potential for advertising by the host country during the many different online events will outweigh the profits made by businesses from the G20 at present. Ideally the host country would receive more publicity from the virtual G20 than they would from the existing format.

With so many businesses switching over to the virtual world, should not the leaders of the most advanced countries follow suit? Sookman thinks so, and she is willing to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

By: Claire Sookman

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About Claire Sookman: Claire’s book, Across the Hall, Around the World helps engage virtual team members through specialized techniques and exercises. To schedule an interview or request a copy of her books, contact Claire directly at: Office: 416.398.5160 Canada & US: 1.866.497.7749 Email: csookman@virtualteambuilders.com Please visit www.virtualteambuilders.com for more insight on effectively managing virtual teams.