virtual lunch dates

We all make time to eat—so why not use that same time to meet? Sharing a meal is friendly, fun, and a chance to build and sustain relationships. It's such a valuable activity that even those of us who work alone at home—like so many knowledge workers do—might consider scheduling "virtual lunch dates." This way, we can enjoy the benefits of dining together without giving up the focused solitude that makes remote work so productive.

In particular, those of us who are researchers and developers in the realm of collaboration technology really ought to consider making virtual lunch dates with others in the field, to get to know one another better and to see if we can address one of the great ironies in this field. It is hard to get collaboration techies to actually collaborate! Sharing a virtual lunch is a fun, light and low commitment way to address that.

It is just one of many convergence rituals which can help us bring about the positive future we are all working toward.