The phone is all about expediency. Both people on the call have a job to do and each of them is looking to get through the call and move on to something else.
A cup of coffee is an opportunity to meet someone, talk about a few other things, make a friend or a business acquaintance. Done right, the face to face reference check is a lot more than a reference check. It’s a way to grow your network and your business. And it’s also the best way to find out exactly what you need to know about a person you want to hire, invest in, or otherwise go into business with.
The Face To Face Reference Check, by Fred Wilson