Would you consider using online virtual worlds for meetings?

Technology analysts Gartner have made a number of noted observations about the move of 3D virtual environments into mainstream online use. Two years ago they predicted that 'by 2011, 80 percent of active Internet users would have a 'second life' but not necessarily in Second Life' (Gartner 2007). Knowing the focus of Gartner on business, this is a very strong statement about future corporate use of the virtual world. However, more recently they plotted the path of virtual worlds in the hype cycle, and determined that it was sitting at the bottom of the 'disillusionment trough'. (Virtual Worlds News 2009) The good news is that in Gartner's world, hyped expectation gives way to real benefit. Out of the nadir comes what Gartner calls the 'slope of enlightenment', indicating that mainstream adoption is less than five years away. It asserts that virtual worlds, in the company of Web 2.0 and cloud computing, are firmly set on this path. For the moment however, many potential users consider virtual worlds are 'not there yet'. And whilst the education and training sector is marching in with more than mere curiosity, the true believers are asking why take-up in the enterprise sector is lagging behind. So would you consider meeting your customers and colleagues in a virtual world? This paper looks at why you might consider it seriously.