Introduction:

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It’s no secret remote work is here to stay.

Whether it’s expert interviews, stakeholder meetings, or even high-stakes diligence calls, most conversations now happen through a screen. It’s fast. It’s efficient. It gets the job done.

But here’s the thing: not all insights are created equal and not all conversations should be remote.

In a world that’s optimized for convenience, we’re starting to see something interesting. Teams are circling back to face-to-face expert interactions for projects that demand a little more depth, more trust, and more human connection.

At Nextyn, we’ve supported clients through thousands of expert calls both virtual and in-person. And what we’ve learned is simple: remote research works brilliantly in many cases, but there are still times when sitting across the table from someone changes the game entirely.

Let’s talk about why that is.

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Remote Works Until It Doesn’t

There’s no denying the benefits of virtual formats. When you need to connect with an expert across the world, quickly and affordably, nothing beats a remote call. For initial scoping, straightforward questions, or thematic insight gathering, it’s often the best choice.

But for more complex projects ones involving cultural context, behavioral nuance, or strategic alignment remote calls can hit a ceiling.

That’s where face-to-face research steps in.

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What In-Person Brings That a Zoom Window Doesn’t

1. Unspoken Signals Matter

Experts often say more with their tone, expressions, and pauses than with their words. Are they being diplomatic or direct? Hesitant or confident? Those subtle cues are harder to read when you’re separated by pixels.

In face-to-face expert meetings, you’re not just hearing what’s said you’re observing how it’s said. That clarity can be crucial when you’re making decisions with real consequences.

2. Stronger Rapport, Better Insight

Trust isn’t always built over bandwidth.

In-person meetings naturally foster connection. There’s more give and take. Experts tend to open up more, offer deeper context, and go off-script in helpful ways. Clients, too, feel more comfortable digging into sensitive or strategic questions.

In compliance research, public sector projects, or even local market validation, these more personal dynamics can unlock richer, more actionable insight.

3. You Can Work the Room

Sometimes, you don’t just need an answer you need awork shop. You need to draw diagrams, map relationships, ask “what if” and explore together. That level of collaboration is tough on a call.

Whether it’s a session with a policy veteran in Jakarta, a supply chain operator in Dubai, or a healthcare consultant in Munich, onsite engagement allows you to go deeper, think together, and come away with clarity not

So, When Does In-Person Make Sense?

While remote is the default for many teams, in-person formats still offer irreplaceable value in specific scenarios:

• Founder  or executive assessments – See how leaders carry themselves, not just     what they say
• Operational  due diligence – Understand the flow, infrastructure, and on-ground     execution
• Local  ecosystem exploration – Capture the cultural, informal, and relational     insights
• Sensitive  policy or regulatory conversations – Build trust for more candid     perspectives
• Cross-functional     expert sessions – Align teams and capture synthesis in real-time

These aren’t everyday needs, but when they arise, they matter.

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The Hybrid Reality: Best of Both Worlds

Of course, not every project requires flights and meetings. And that’s the beauty of how research has evolved.

The most successful teams today aren’t choosing remote vs. onsite engagement they’re blending both.

At Nextyn, we’ve seen great outcomes when clients start with:

• Unmoderated     calls for light discovery
• Then     move to moderated expert calls for focused insight
• And     finally, bring in face-to-face meetings for critical touchpoints     where context, trust, or collaboration matters most

This hybrid model doesn’t just optimize cost and time it ensures your research is layered, structured, and deeply reliable.

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What It Takes to Make In-Person Count

To be clear, in-person isn’t always easy. It requires planning, coordination, and a clear sense of purpose. But when done right, the payoff is real.

That means:

• Bringing the right experts to the table not just knowledgeable, but open and collaborative
• Having a skilled moderator who knows when to probe deeper and when to give     space
• Preparing for structured spontaneity the kind of insight that happens when     the conversation flows naturally but stays on track
• Respecting local context, culture, and cues

At Nextyn, we help our clients get this right. From identifying the right people to structuring meaningful face-to-face sessions, our team ensures that when you show up it’s worth it.

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In a Remote World, Human Connection Still Wins

Here’s what it comes down to: we’re not romanticizing the old way of doing things. We’re simply acknowledging that some insight is too important to risk missing.

The best insights don’t always come from a perfect slide deck or polished report. Sometimes, they come from eye contact. From a pause before a response. From a side comment that leads to the real answer.

Face-to-face expert interactions may not be necessary for every project, but for the moments that matter most they still deliver in away nothing else can.

At Nextyn, we’re committed to helping our clients choose the right research format, at the right time, for the right decision. Whether that’s a lightning-fast virtual call or a high-touch in-person session, we’re here to make sure you get insight not just information.

Because in the end, that’s what drives real progress.

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