It was good to finally meet up with Prashant. I have been working with him for a few months through his company Lumi and our Skill Up North East programme yet his place of work is a long way away from Newcastle and our relationship so far has been online. Picking him up at the airport changed that and we had a full couple of days planned, meeting up with businesses, academics and members of the team.
Online is great but it is not a substitute for face to face contact. Yes, you can build a relationship online and can become well acquainted and friendly yet a relationship can only be truly cemented when you get together. It is then that you understand each other’s true character, their body language and the nuance of their speech and actions.
I learned more about Prashant in our drive around the region than I ever could online, where conversation is more formal, more work related and stilted. In person we spoke as people, expressing our feelings and beliefs. We talked about our pasts and how we got to be where we were. We shared our commonalities and became aware of our differences. We told the stories of our lives, or at least some of them.
Because of that, when we were in front of a member, it was much easier to interact, keep the topic on message and let things flow. I could feed off Prashant’s conversation and he off mine. I could read the signs in his mannerisms, telling me when to interject and when to keep quiet. None of this is easy online
The day that I spent with him was full, interesting and rewarding. We met with individuals from colleges, universities and Sunderland Software City, all of which will help Prashant and Lumi with their plans and objectives.
I may never see Prashant again, though I am sure there will be ongoing interactions with CyberNorth. I will remember, however, the useful and enjoyable time we spent together. There is no substitute.
p.s. I’ve met Jonathan!
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 